Nashville Pride has announced changes to the organization's board of directors, electing new officers to the Executive Board and the Board of Directors.
The Executive Board is chaired by President Phil Cobucci, owner of a local marketing agency BAM! Social Business. Joey Leslie, who works at Bridgestone Tires as an Innovation Discovery Partner and served as the 2016 Pride President, will assume the role of past President. Matthew Gann, the Associate Director of Web Services and Digital Strategy for the Tennessee Board of Regents, will take over PR/Marketing, while the role of Secretary will be continued by Ryan Ellis who works as the Communications/Legislative Director for the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability.
Rollover terms were also executed for Hal Cato, CEO of Thistle Farms; Pam Kelner, Executive Director of Jewish Family Service; Chris Purcell, Director of LGBTQI Life at Vanderbilt University; Eric Brown of the Eric Brown Venture, LLC.; Shaun Arroyo, President of the Tennessee Vols transgender support group; and Paula Foster, a professional social worker.
Nashville Pride also announced the election of a strong suite of community leaders from different Middle Tennessee businesses and non-profit organizations, including Shellena Burton, from Vanderbilt University; Zach Ledbetter, Vice President of Visitor Development from the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce; Joe Burchfield, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs and Communications from the Tennessee Hospital Association; Nashville Councilwoman from District 23, Mina Johnson; Lewis Walker of Aramark; and local performer Billy Hardin.
Jack Davis of JD Festivals and Events will continue to manage day-to-day aspects of the festival planning and will support the organization with expertise in festival and event operations.
Booth applications for the 2017 Festival are available on the organization website and submissions are now open. The organization encourages businesses, local artists, food vendors and restaurants to apply early as booth space always sells out early.
Nashville Pride Board meetings are open to the public and are scheduled for the first Wednesday of every month. The organization strongly encourages community involvement and welcomes all to participate in board meetings. All of these details can be found at nashvillepride.org.
As reported earlier, the Nashville Pride Festival will expand to two full days for the first time in the organization's 28 year history. The annual celebration of LGBT+ equality and culture will take place at the footsteps of Metro Government at Public Square Park on Saturday, June 24th from 10 am to 9 pm and Sunday, June 25th from 12 pm to 6 pm.