Our Board of Directors, Advisory Board, and Festival Staff are listed.
Rayford Stephens
President
Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Rayford Stephens retired from the Texas Southern University Police Department following 30 years of law enforcement, including tours with Prairie View A & M, Texas Medical Center – Houston, University of Houston and the University of Texas. He was the President of the Texas Police Association, and active in several Texas law enforcement associations. Rayford has been a volunteer with the festival since its inception.
Nicolas Emiliani
Vice President
Beverly Hills, California
Beverly Hills, California
Nicolas Emiliani is the CEO/Director/Producer for NIE Productions and specializes in filming and production of music videos. Nicolas has been active in promoting the festival and in leading the effort to record and document the historic Pleasant Hill Rosenwald School and the preservation of the oral American history of the Underground Railroad Quilt Code. Nicolas serves on the festival staff.
Frederic H. Walecki
Secretary/Treasurer
Topanga, California
Topanga, California
Owner of Westwood Music in West Los Angeles and CEO of Linden's Cass County Music Emporium, Fred Walecki is one of the premiere unsung heroes in the West Coast music scene. Since the ‘60’s, Westwood Music and Fred have been at the center of rock and roll legend making. The stories abound--like the time the Stones went to see Sonny and Brownie at the Ash Grove, driven by Fred in his mom’s station wagon. Or when Bernie Leadon promised to stand good for a Westwood Music charge account for his new band, which had come up with the questionable name of "The Eagles." Beginning students, talented songwriter/bar players and the fortunate few who have became musical legends—Westwood Music has been loyal to them all. It is not unusual on any given day to find Joni Mitchell or Lyle Lovett, Gram Nash or David Crosby, Kevin Moore ("Keb Mo") or Chris Hillman visiting Westwood Music, talking with the other regular customers. Fred has been a volunteer and active promoter of the festival and a board member since the festival incorporated.
Gregory J. Hulett
Director
White Oak, Texas
White Oak, Texas
Gregory J. Hulett is president and CEO of Mid South Engine & Machine, LLC, a company he founded in 1986. He is also president and CEO of GJH Properties, LP, Willow Lake Business Park, LP, and Pro Stage Rental, LP. He served as president and CEO of Eagle Audio & Lighting and Mid South Power Systems until 2007, when he sold both businesses. Greg currently serves as a city councilman and mayor pro-tem of White Oak, Texas. Greg has been a festival volunteer for three years and produces the outdoor stage events.
Kelie Sturgis
Director
Montebello, California
Montebello, California
Kelie Sturgis is the owner of G.I.I.C Investigations, Montebello, California. She serves as an athletic official in California college sports activities. The granddaughter of T-Bone Walker, Kelie has been a co-hostess of the T-Bone Walker Blues Fest for the past two years.
Marcus Wren III
Director
Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport, Louisiana
Marcus Wren III is the President of Music Mountain Water Company. He is also a partner in Delaney Auto Design. Marcus is active in civic and community support for Shreveport;he became a sponsor of the T-Bone Walker Blues Fest in 2010 and recently joined the board of directors.
Dr. William R. Wright
Director
Sammamish, Washington
Sammamish, Washington
Dr. William R. Wright, a graduate of the United States Military Academy and Texas A & M University, served a full career with the United States Air Force. After retiring from the Air Force, Bill was the founder and CEO of Computas, NA and several other software companies. He is working again in public service with the Federal Government. He has been a volunteer with the festival since its inception in a variety of positions.
Charles Snowden
Executive Director
Linden, Texas
Linden, Texas
Charles retired from USDA/NRCS with 35 years as the District Conservationist for Marion and Cass County, Texas. He is a Certified Forester and actively manages his family’s tree farm. Charles has been a leader in area youth education programs. He was inducted into the Hunter Education Hall of Fame in Texas and, along with his wife Sue, actively teach young people about enjoying the outdoors. Charles has been a volunteer with the festival since its inception.
