Mary Kathryn Sibley (left) presents outgoing TEF President Charlotte Arnold with a sterling silver letter opener during Arnold’s induction into the honorary Order of Chantilly. 

With a new slate of officers and trustees to lead Thomasville Entertainment Foundation, the concert-presenter organization’s board of trustees recently finalized plans for its milestone 85^th performance season.

“We have a superb series of acclaimed artists and ensembles lined up for 2022-23, and we

are excited to publicly announce the coming season in the next few weeks,” Executive and Artistic Director Rick Ivey said. “Since 1937, TEF has been a vital thread in the cultural fabric of this community and, indeed, this entire region, and we enter our 85^th season well positioned to continue offering our rich and robust concert and family series programming, as well as impactful educational outreach opportunities.”

At its annual dinner meeting, held May 12, TEF recognized trustees who are retiring or rotating off the board, welcomed new and returning trustees and honored and expressed appreciation to its outgoing president.

Linda Tarver began her service on May 1 as TEF president for 2022-23, working with vice presidents Barbara Lee (Education), Ginny LeGette (Box Office), Karl Barton (Production), Melissa McMillan (Hospitality) and Laura Pike (Marketing). Ann Larson serves as secretary and Rita Amisson as treasurer.

Executive Committee members-at-large are Charlotte Arnold, Peggy Brady and Pamela Tucker.

Ivey implements the artistic vision and curates TEF’s concert and family series programming, while Director of Administration Joan Sowell oversees day-to-day operations.

Thomasville Entertainment Foundation’s all-volunteer board comprises trustees elected to serve three-year terms. 

Newly-elected trustees for the Class of 2025 are Melanee Hill, Ann Larson, Annie Laurie McElroy and Angela “Roonie” Willers. Trustees re-elected for a second consecutive three-year term for the Class of 2025 are Rita Amisson, Charlotte Arnold, Karl Barton, Barbara Clinebell, Pat Pankey, Laura Pike and Linda Wann. 

Trustees retiring or rotating off the board as required after two consecutive three-year terms included Adam Carvin, Linda Hester, André Marria, Ann Scheib and Sue White.

Outgoing President Charlotte Arnold was recognized for her leadership over the past two years. During her term, TEF dealt with the ongoing impact of COVID-19, including postponed and rescheduled events, and the first cancellation of TEF’s main stage concert series for 2020-21.

“Under Charlotte’s leadership, Thomasville Entertainment Foundation weathered the storm, kept to our live performance and educational outreach mission and finishes out her two-year term in a very strong position with a superb foundation of community support,” Ivey said.

Past-President Mary Kathryn Sibley inducted Arnold into the Order of Chantilly, an honor bestowed on former TEF presidents since the early days of the organization. Arnold becomes just the 44^th former president for the nonprofit organization.

Established in 1937, Thomasville Entertainment Foundation is a volunteer-powered,

non-profit organization celebrating 85 years of entertaining the community. In addition to presenting concerts by acclaimed artists, TEF offers a dedicated family series of performances geared to families and younger children, provides educational outreach programs for students and awards performing arts scholarships and grants to promising young artists.