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The 2007 Christmas Parade Committee |
Front Row: Dan McNamara, Shari Himelbloom, John Melleky, Frank Kovach, Patrice Carroll, Dave DeBarger, Robert Kelly. Back Row: Courtney Barrack, Jamie Stillman, Craig Keeton, Shawn Ruger, Linda Whittet.
Not shown: Leanne Raynor, Jennifer MacKenzie Baker, Christy Dalton, Jim Foudriat, Greg Cope, Clifton Graves, Robb Stottlemeyer.
Photo courtesy of Winton-Stahle Photography.
Name: |
John R. Melleky, CFRE |
Number of years
on committee: |
14 years |
Role on committee: |
Chairman |
Responsibilities
on committee: |
Overseeing the committee, working with dedicated volunteers, fundraising and board management. |
What you do when you aren't working on the Christmas parade (occupation):
I am the president of 3 Fold Consulting, LLC, formally known as M2 Events & Consulting, a company that I formed in 2000. I have spent nearly 20 years in the event management, nonprofit, fundraising services and association management fields. Past clients have included the Association of Fundraising Professionals, YWCA Outstanding Women's Awards for 2002, The Salvation Army, Time Warner, FORTUNE magazine, MasterCard and the Hartford. Most recently, I served as the operations director for Real Simple magazine's Get Organized New York Tag Sale in Central Park.
He has also been a member and Past President of the Richmond Junior Chamber of Commerce, served on the Virginia Jaycees Executive Committee and served for three years on the state Training Task Force, including one year as chairman. In 2004, John took over the Chairman position of Richmond's largest single day event, the Ukrop's Retail Merchants Association Christmas Parade.
Favorite parade memory:
I have worked on the parade since 1988. I started first as a volunteer and have watched the parade grow each year. My memories vary from seeing Grand Marshals Paul Simon, Mickey and Minnie, from watching the balloons be filled and wondering what they will be when they are done. Seeing the faces of the crowd and having them wave and say thank you means a lot, and I look forward to creating more memories for the spectators and make each year bigger and better. The goal for the next few years is to make the parade and that entire weekend a destination event throughout the region.
Name: |
Courtney Barrack |
Number of years
on committee: |
10 years |
Role on committee: |
Treasurer since October 1999 |
Responsibilities
on committee: |
Treasurer duties |
What you do when you aren’t working on the Christmas parade
(occupation):
Currently I am employed as a supervisor in
the Business Assurance & Advisory
Services Group at Keiter, Stephens, Hurst, Gary & Shreaves,
PC, where I have worked for more than eight years. I specialize
in employee benefit plan audits and I am a member of the Central
Virginia Employee Benefits Council.
I am also the immediate past president of the Richmond Chapter
of the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA),
and I serve on the VSCPA Membership Retention Task Force.
I am a member of the Junior League of Richmond, and my placement
through June 2007 is “new member advisor.” Finally, I’m
an alto in the River Road United Methodist Church Chancel Choir.
Favorite parade memory:
I enjoyed watching the 2004 and
2001 parade from the comfort of home during my maternity leave
- just kidding! I have enjoyed riding on golf carts with
the rest of the parade committee behind the Santa float and waving
to the crowd – it is so rewarding! I especially enjoy seeing
someone I know in the grandstand or along the route. It
reminds me of riding on float as a child during Mardi Gras in
Mobile, only I don’t get to bombard my friends with candy And
I love the bands, too!
Name: |
Patrice Carroll |
Number of years
on committee: |
2 Years |
Role on committee: |
Parade Coordinator |
Responsibilities
on committee: |
Coordinating the various aspects of the parade, helping raise awareness about the parade and working with all the entire committee to organize the various reponsibilites. Working with the public from the participants, sponsors, and volunteers. |
What you do when you aren’t working
on the Christmas parade (occupation):
I am the only paid employee and work year round on the functions and follow up regarding the parade. I also do consulting work for other non-profits helping with sponsorship, foundation support and branding efforts.
Favorite parade memory: My favorite memory is learning about everyone else's!
Listening to so many people tell "their story" about how the parade has played a part in their history. Whether it was going to the parade, being in it, handling the big balloons, or bringing their familiers to see it year after year. Until I began working with the parade, I used to bring my three children every year, now they get to see it from a much more personal perspective.
Name: |
Frank Kovack |
Number of
years
on committee: |
4 Years, plus many working the
day of the parade |
Role on committee: |
Logistics |
Responsibilities
on committee: |
Obtaining permits, tents, generators,
signs, and catering at the start of the parade route. |
What you do when you aren’t working on the Christmas parade (occupation):
Mechanical
Engineer for QubicaAMF Bowling
Favorite parade memory:
Walking the parade route
and seeing all of the people waving and cheering.
Name: |
Shari A. Himelbloom, CPA |
Number of
years
on committee: |
3rd Year |
Role on committee: |
Volunteer Coordinator |
Responsibilities
on committee: |
Finding and organizing volunteers for the parade |
What you do when you aren’t working on the Christmas parade
(occupation):
Certified public accountant
Favorite parade memory:
None yet but I hope to make some soon!
Name: |
Robert Kelly |
Number of
years
on committee: |
24 Years |
Role on committee: |
Vice-Chairman |
Responsibilities
on committee: |
Oversee the Volunteers, Viewing,
Logistics, and Units areas and assist the Project Chairman
where needed |
What you do when you aren’t working on the Christmas parade
(occupation):
Financial Analyst for Dominion Resources
Favorite parade memory:
I have many memories after 24 years involved with the event. One that
comes to mind is the year we I was assisting the volunteers with the large
50 foot helium balloon of Gumby on the parade route. It was a windy day
and we were having a very difficult time managing the mammoth green balloon. We
were almost to the end of the route when a tree limb punctured a large hole
in the Gumby balloon and he immediately deflated almost on the spot. As
the balloon handlers gathered up the damaged balloon and laid it on the side
of the street, a small child exclaimed, “Look mom, Gumby is dead !.” I
will always remember the sound of tragedy in that small child’s voice and the
roar of laughter from the crowd when they heard the shrill voice of the small
child.
Another great memory is the year that we had Paul Simon, Chevy
Chase, and Steve Martin dressed up as shriners marching the parade
to promote Paul Simon’s music video. The crowd loved
it and we got this all for free!
Name: |
Leanne Raynor |
Number of
years
on committee: |
4 years |
Role on committee: |
Band
Coordinator |
Responsibilities
on committee: |
Coordinating band participation in the parade |
What you do when you aren’t working on the Christmas parade
(occupation):
I work for the Virginia Department of Environmental Compliance ensuring facilities
are in compliance with Environmental Protection Agency’s hazardous waste requirements.
Favorite parade memory:
Escorting Frank Perdue when he was the grand marshal.
Name: |
Shawn D. Ruger |
Number of
years
on committee: |
5 Years |
Role on committee: |
Related Events Coordinator |
Responsibilities
on committee: |
Assist in coordinating the other
related community events and combined promotional efforts
for events taking place on parade weekend |
What you do when you aren’t working on the Christmas parade
(occupation):
Information Technology Project Manager
.
Favorite parade memory:
Any time that we have had good weather!
Name: |
Robb Stottlemyer |
Number of
years
on committee: |
Going into my 8th parade season |
Role on committee: |
Committee At- large member, helping in various tasks |
Responsibilities
on committee: |
My responsibilities include recruiting
groups to volunteer, ordering tents and other equipment and
managing volunteers on parade day. |
What you do when you aren’t working on the Christmas parade
(occupation):
I work for SunTrust Investment Services as an Investment Consultant.
Favorite parade memory:
In 2004 I had to call Jeff Marks, the former chair of the parade, at 6:30
a.m. in a panicked state because I didn't get the parade banner from his warehouse.
I got him out of bed to help us out in the first year he was supposed to be
out of the parade. He was more understanding and helpful than I ever thought
possible. He really must have been in the holiday spirit. Another favorite is lunch after every parade. It is such a great
feeling.
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