Our Board of Directors, Advisory Board, and Festival Staff are listed.
Gregory J. Hulett
President
Gregory J. Hulett - White Oak, Texas
Gregory J. Hulett - 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.
Sharla Dressman - Eagle Landing, Cass County, Texas
Vice President
Sharla Dressman - Eagle Landing, Cass County, Texas
Sharla Dressman - Eagle Landing, Cass County, Texas
Sharla Dressman recently retired as co-owner of a small business. She has been active in festival sponsorship and support for other community non-profits. Sharla has been a volunteer with the festival since its inception.
Dr. William R. Wright - Sammamish, Washington
Secretary/Teasurer
Dr. William R. Wright - Sammamish, Washington
Dr. William R. Wright - Sammamish, Washington
Dr. William R. Wright, a graduate of the United States Military Academy, 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.
Rayford Stephens - Houston, Texas
Director
Rayford Stephens - Houston, Texas
Rayford Stephens - 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.
Kelie Sturgis - Montebello, California
Director
Kelie Sturgis - Montebello, California
Kelie Sturgis - 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.
Email: Montebello, California
Frederic H. Walecki - Los Angeles, California
Director
Frederic H. Walecki - Los Angeles, California
Frederic H. Walecki - Los Angeles, California
Owner of Westwood Music in West Los Angeles, 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 ("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.
Nicolas Emiliani - Los Angeles, California
Director
Nicolas Emiliani - Los Angeles, California
Nicolas Emiliani - Los Angeles, 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.
Jean Gay Wright - Cass County, TX
Executive Director
Jean Gay Wright - Cass County, TX
Jean Gay Wright - Cass County, TX
Jean Wright is a native of Cass County, Texas. Jean is also the business manager for the Lazy RJ Ranch, a small cow-calf operation that she shares with her husband - Russ. Jean is also a Registered Nurse. She has been a volunteer with the festival since its inception.
