Stars Dancing to Raise Money for HEALS in 2010
Our Champions for Children
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| S P A C E R | Platinum Sponsors:
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Dr. Charles Gattis
| Vote for Dr. Gattis! Dr. Charles Gattis is a native of Huntsville, and graduated from Huntsville High School in 1964. His family goes back four generations in the Huntsville area, on both sides. During his earlier years, his family moved around the south. For most of that time, he lived in Clarksville, TN, where he attended church at Madison Street United Methodist Church. This is the church where he had his earliest remembrances of the faith, was baptized, and accepted the call to ministry. |
Dr. Gattis attended Birmingham-Southern College and later Emory University, where he received a Doctor of Ministry degree in 1986. The United Methodist Church licensed him to preach and ordained him as a deacon in 1969, and has served churches United Methodist Churches since that time. Before coming to Trinity in 2003, his appointments in the North Alabama Conference included Canterbury UMC, Alexander City UMC, St. Mark UMC in Tuscaloosa, Attalla First UMC, and the Rogersville UMC.
Dr. Gattis’ wife Judy has taught special education for twenty-five years and retired at the end of the 2004-2005. In addition, she has directed the Special Camp for youth at Camp Sumatanga for over thirty years. They have two sons. Jason is married and lives in Athens, TN where he serves as Associate Pastor at the Keith United Methodist Church. Their youngest son, Courtney, lives in Huntsville and works at AmSouth Bank. Judy and Dr. Gattis are grateful to be back "home," and are thankful for the opportunity to serve Trinity United Methodist Church.
Ginger Harper
| Vote for Ginger! Ginger Harper, based in Huntsville Alabama serves as Relationship Manger for Private Banking. She focuses on the comprehensive needs of clients in our community offering private customer service and solutions for high net worth clients. These solutions encompass simple to unique financial needs and focuses on a holistic approach to the entire financial picture. Prior to joining RBC Bank, Ginger served as Assistant Vice President, Banking Center Manager for AmSouth Bank and Personal Banking Officer for Compass Bank. |
Upon joining RBC Bank in March of 2007 she began working to build and implement Private Banking for RBC Bank in the Huntsville market. Ginger has more than 10 years of banking experience and commitment to serving the community. She was named as a Peak Performer with RBC Bank in 2007 and 2009.
She is a graduate of Leadership Connect Huntsville and has obtained her series 6 & 63 and completed the Life and Health Insurance Exam.
Mrs. Harper is a board of management member for The Heart of the Valley YMCA and serves on the Investment/Finance Committee for the Huntsville Child Care Center. Her community service includes serving as a Team Development Chair on the Relay for Life Committee for American Cancer Society, United Way Co-Chair for Pacesetter Campaign, Sponsor Coordinator for the American Red Cross, Management Team Member for The Brook Church in Madison Alabama, Junior Achievement Co-Sponsor, The Huntsville Museum of Art Volunteer, Panoply Volunteer, Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce Total Resource Campaign Volunteer, Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce Emissary and Mentor for a mentorship program she implemented at a local Title 1 School, Montview Elementary School.
| Amanda Howard Owner/Operator Amanda Howard Real Estate  | Vote for Amanda! Amanda Howard is the owner and operator of Amanda Howard Real Estate, specializing in residential real estate in North Alabama. Amanda began her career in 1999 in Chicago, Illinois, and was named “Rookie of the Year” as well as “Top Producer.” Since then, Amanda has obtained and practiced in Florida, as well as Alabama, where she now calls home. As a proud local small business owner, Amanda opened Amanda Howard Real Estate in the winter of 2009 after earning the title of “Top Selling Team in Huntsville/Madison County.” Due to her many years of success in the real estate profession, Amanda is often invited to join as the expert guest on several local media shows including the Will Anderson Talk show. |
In addition to a flourishing professional career, Amanda’s volunteer efforts and committee memberships are vast. Among many others, she is a graduate and active alum of Connect/Leadership, a member of Committee of 100YP, past Vice President of the local Realtor YP committee, a member of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation Development Council, and a charter member of the Downtown 47 group.
Her personal focus revolves around living and raising her children in a community in which she is highly involved, she is a proud and active member that works to help make this area a better place for those who live here and choose to relocate here.
Aside from real estate and her extensive community involvement, Amanda also enjoys spending time with her husband, Travis, and two children, Ashley and Abigail.
Dr. Mia Irby, DMD PC
| Vote for Dr. Irby!
As an honor student at Huntsville High School, Mia Rodgers Irby was passionate about ice skating, dedicating many hours to perfecting her skills in the competitive sport. Today, Dr. Irby is even more passionate about caring for her dental patients in both Huntsville and Decatur. She is the consummate professional with a servant’s heart who can put even the most apprehensive patient at ease as she enters the room. Dr. Irby’s engaging smile and soothing explanations have become trademarks to her patients. After graduating from Huntsville High and the University of Alabama, Mia earned her doctor’s degree from the University of Alabama (UAB) School of Dentistry. She has been in private practice here for eight years, closing her Huntsville office on Fridays to work at Children’s Dentistry of Decatur. She is also a dentist on call for Huntsville Hospital, served on the Calhoun Community College Dental Assisting Board from 2003 until last year, and works in patient care the Whitesburg Gardens Health Care Center. |
Indicative of Dr. Irby’s community involvement are memberships in the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild, First Presbyterian Church, Kappa Delta Alumnae Association, Alabama Dental Association, the Eighth District Dental Society, and the C.C. Bass Dental Study Club. She is also a sustainer of the Junior League of Huntsville and has served as president of both the Huntsville-Madison County Dental Society and the Wilson Chenault Study Club of Decatur.
Her tireless efforts have carried her to Belize on a medical mission trip with the Fishers of Men and prompted her to do annual presentations for Dental Health Month at Central School and serve as a HEALS clinic volunteer. She was nominated for the Distinguished Young Woman award in 2006 by the Girl Scouts of North Alabama.
The self-discipline developed as an ice skater in her teens has allowed Dr. Mia Irby to become a valued member of the Huntsville medical community, and her genuine love for others has made her a cherished friend to all who associate with her.
- Written by Nora Stephens, Huntsville High Legend
Steve Johnson
| Vote for Steve! Steve Johnson was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, and moved to Huntsville in third grade when his farther accepted a job with the Army at Redstone Arsenal. He graduated from Huntsville High School then headed to Auburn for college. From there, with his wife Sue by his side, and his journalism degree in hand, he went to work at a TV Station in Anniston. Steve was then presented with the opportunity to take the Sports Directors' position at WHNT, and he gladly accepted it to come back to Huntsville. |
After two decades in sports, Steve moved to news and his family was blessed with two sons, Chris and Wes. Now beginning his days at 2am, you can find Steve co-anchoring the WHNT morning news cast.
In his spare time, Steve and his wife, Sue, enjoy having a glass of wine together, and both have modest aspirations to be art collectors. He is also on the Arts Council board, and hopes that they will join in the special Stars Dancing for HEAL evening!
Dr. Rony Najjar
| Vote for Dr. Najjar! Dr. Rony Najjar, Chief of Trauma at Huntsville Hopsital came to Huntsville in 1995 from Ryder Trauma Center, Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, FL and started the Trauma Program for Huntsville Hospital. He is also the Chief of Surgery at the UAB Huntsville Regional Campus. Dr. Najjar is also a retired Lt. Colonel from the Army Reserves, which he proudly served for 15 years with his most recent deployment being “Noble Eagle”. |
As a dedicated trauma surgeon and community advocate, Dr. Najjar is a Huntsville Hospital Foundation Trustee, serves as the Chairman for the North Alabama Trauma System, and Director of ATLS responsible for the education of physicians delivering trauma care. As an expert in the field of trauma and surgery, he volunteers a significant amount of his time to the education of pre-hospital and health professionals involved in his specialty in the region. In addition, being “camera familiar” he has done a Discovery Health documentary of a 1996 “pole through the chest” case where the patient survived a lethal injury.
As an aside and for fun, Dr. Najjar is the lead guitarist for Junctional rhythm, a cover dance band that plays for many private engagements and charities in our area. A 9 piece band that can put on those dance shoes! He truly enjoys the comradery of music and the gift of giving for people.
Dr. Najjar adores his beautiful wife and they engage in every aspect of their lives together. They enjoy yachting and the serenity of the waters they have travelled on.
Dr. Avis Williams Principal | Vote for Avis! Dr. Avis Williams is principal of Williams Middle School and Vice President of the HEALS, Inc. Board of Directors. She was born and raised in Salisbury, NC and upon graduating high school, she joined the Army. Her duty assignments included Ft. Jackson, SC, Yongsan, Korea and finally, our own Redstone Arsenal where she received an Honorable Discharge in 1991. Shortly thereafter, she earned teaching certificates in the areas of English, Physical Education and Educational Administration, and recently completed her doctorate degree at the University of Alabama. Prior to becoming principal of Williams Middle School, Dr. Williams worked as an elementary principal in Huntsville and as a middle school assistant principal in Madison City. |
Dr. Williams is a graduate of Leadership Huntsville/Madison County’s Connect Class 4 and Impact Class 2. She enjoys serving her community and has been actively involved with several non-profit organizations and boards. As a member of Church Street CPCA, she has worked with a variety of youth activities to include teaching children’s church and Vacation Bible School. She has served on the Head Start Community Action Policy Council and co-chaired the Faith Coalition of Poverty and Public Policy. She is currently the president of the Schools Foundation’s Educators Institute and 2nd Vice President of the Huntsville Association of School Administrators.
She has a 15 year-old daughter, and is proud to be a “cheer mom!” Dr. Williams is also an avid runner and has competed in several 10K races and half marathons. She also enjoys reading, writing and traveling but is most passionate about working to have a positive impact on the lives of children.
Special Guests & Event Emcees
Loretta Spencer
| John Malone & Bonny O'Brien
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