Bozeman Symphony Announces Five New Board Members July 2021

Thursday Jul. 8th, 2021

Bozeman Symphony announces the appointment of five new members to its Board of Directors as three previous members completed their terms. The organization is proud to welcome Heather White, Kenneth May, Tamara Havenhill-Jacobs, Thomas Bray, and Robert Ritchie to its Board of Directors.  
 
“The Bozeman Symphony has recently expanded its Board of Directors with accomplished, talented, and passionate individuals, who give their time, expertise, and desire to see the Symphony grow,” said Stephen Schachman, Board of Directors Chair. “All five of these board members are passionate leaders in the Bozeman community and are committed to helping the Symphony and the greater cultural community thrive.” 

 
As the organization and concert season continue to expand, so does the need for strong leadership on its Board of Directors. Schachman believes the five new board members will help shape the future growth and vitality of the Bozeman Symphony. Last month, the Bozeman Symphony announced the expansion of its 2021/22 Concert Season with a new series titled Bozeman Symphony Presents in addition to the organization’s historical six classical concerts. The Bozeman Symphony Presents series aims to attract music lovers of all genres with two concerts, including Holiday Spectacular featuring local favorite Jeni Fleming and John Williams: 90th Birthday Bonanza. Find out more information about the upcoming season, subscription, and ticket options on the Bozeman Symphony website (bozemansymphony.org). 

 
As the Symphony welcomes its new members, the organization would like to recognize the incredible contribution of previous board members Cliff Schutter and Walter Wunsch, who joined the Symphony’s Advisory Council, and Carole Sisson whose terms ended earlier this year. 
 
For more information about the Bozeman Symphony call 406-585-9774 or visit bozemansymphony.org. A complete list of the Symphony’s Board of Directors is available online at bozemansymphony.org/board-of-directors
 
Heather White, Writer, Attorney, and Nonprofit Consultant - Heather is the President & CEO of Heather White Strategies, LLC, which partners with businesses, foundations, and nonprofits to create a healthier, greener, more equitable world. She is the past president and CEO of Yellowstone Forever, the nonprofit partner to Yellowstone National Park, executive director of the nonprofit watchdog Environmental Working Group, director of education advocacy for the National Wildlife Federation, and United States Senate staffer. She served on various political campaigns (including Al Gore's Presidential Campaign in 2000 and as recount attorney) and as a litigation associate at Bass, Berry & Sims in Nashville, Tennessee. She's a frequent spokesperson in the national media on conservation issues and has been quoted in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, Roll Call, The Montana Standard, MindBodyGreen and featured on the CBS Morning News, PBS News Hour, Fox News, MSNBC, and Dr. Oz. She's passionate about music, nature, philanthropy, and empowering the next generation.  

 
Ken May, Consumer Markets CEO – Ken splits his work between investing in travel and hospitality groups, serving as an advisor to several start-up companies and mentoring young executives. Previously, Ken had an international business career with a variety of global consumer market corporations, before moving to Bozeman in 2012. Ken’s wife Mary is a teaching chef and wellness instructor in Ayurveda as certified by the Chopra Center. Ken shares that his “formal education in musicology consisted of reading every LP album cover in the classical music section of the Middlebury Book Store (VT) and borrowing every record he could during his four college years.” 

 
Tamara Havenhill-Jacobs, Chief Information Officer - Tamara serves as the Chief Information Officer for Bozeman Health. As an experienced executive with 30 years in healthcare ranging from integrated care delivery systems to pediatric and academic health systems, she has a passion for new and emerging areas within healthcare that elevate care delivery and experience. Tamara is married to Chris Jacobs and they have a 14-year-old daughter, Giavanna. The impact, role, and value of music is important to their entire family and Tamara is very excited to join the Bozeman Symphony Board. 

 
Thomas Bray, Editor, Retired- Thomas moved to Bozeman in 2010 from Birmingham, Michigan, where he had been editorial page editor of The Detroit News for 23 years. Prior to that he had served as a reporter, bureau chief and associate editor of The Wall Street Journal news and editorial pages. Tom also served as board chair of the Property and Environment Research Center (PERC) of Bozeman and currently chairs a 5-person committee that monitors the editorial independence and ethics issues at The Wall Street Journal. He is a graduate of Princeton University. 

 
Robert Ritchie, President, CEO - An insurance industry veteran with more than 35 years of experience, Bob Ritchie has built and transformed businesses ranging from startups to large national insurance companies. His vast background includes specialty niche insurers, such as American Modern, national carriers, including AIG and CNA, and conglomerates, including GE Insurance Solutions. He brings this experience to benefit American Integrity and its policyholders.  

 
Bob is a leader who understands the needs of both his customers, the agent, and the policyholder. His specialties are broad with a strong analytical base along with profound success in sales and marketing. As the founder of American Integrity, he is committed to the success and growth of the Company along with the stability of the Florida insurance marketplace. The Company serves over 300,000 customers throughout Florida. As the fifth largest Florida home insurer, the Company has annual revenues of $400m. 

 
Bozeman Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Choir - Each concert season the Bozeman Symphony presents a repertoire of symphonic and choral music performed for the benefit of individuals, students, and musicians in south-central Montana. Performances and events include a series of classical subscription concerts, performances aimed at engaging and attracting new audiences under the umbrella of “Bozeman Symphony Presents,” Current Commotion – an experimental music series that allows the Bozeman Symphony to be on the cutting edge of our industry, and a strong desire to launch a summertime music festival. The Bozeman Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Choir have established themselves as significant cultural icons in Montana, whose history is marked by artistic excellence. Our future is dependent upon maintaining a skilled and motivated orchestra whose members bring symphonic music to life. To learn more or donate to the Bozeman Symphony, call 406-585-9774 or visit www.bozemansymphony.org