event TAMELA MAXIM
And the Golden Oyster Goes to…
The 2nd Annual Bluffton Ball
Cinderella: “Oh, well. What’s a royal ball? After all, I suppose it would be frightfully dull, and-andand boring, and-and completely… Completely wonderful.” On Saturday evening, January 28th the 2nd annual Bluffton Ball will be held at the lovely Sun City Pinckney Hall ballroom. The dress is “Bluffton Chic,” which means you can wear anything you please from plain and simple to wild and wacky to formal and fussy. So, if you like it more casual, then maybe go for shorts and a jacket, long or short dresses --- absolutely whatever your eccentric version of gala-wear looks like. Your choice. And, if you are more of a formal traditionalist, that’s okay. Nothing wrong with perfume, pomp and pageantry with princes in tuxedos and princesses in shimmery gowns and sparkly jewels. Hosted by the Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, our local grassroots organization founded by Shellie West, this year’s ball features a reception, dining, dancing and presentation of the winners of the Bluffton Business Awards for 2016. Rather than the “Oscar goes to….” the Greater Bluffton Chamber winners receive the specially designed award – the Golden Oyster! Tickets are $75 after January 1st. Ron Gray, in collaboration with Executive Director Shellie West and Chamber Chairman of the Board, Don Brashears, introduced and developed the Bluffton Ball. Ron moved here from the Philadelphia area in 2011 and was invited to join the Board of Directors in 2012. He brings an abundance of knowledge and experience along with a passion 34 PREMIER
WINTER 2017
Premier Lowcountry publisher Mylene Owens and husband Ron enjoy The Ball
for helping others. Mr. Gray served as a board member for nine nonprofits, chairing three of them, worked as a strategic planner for two chambers of commerce, coached Special Olympic athletes, was Assistant Dean of Saint Joseph’s University, VP and Chief Human Resource Officer for Scott Paper, the world’s 132nd largest company and was VP for Human Resources & Strategic Planning for the four-million-member MidAtlantic region of AAA. Whew. He also likes to keep in close touch with his children and grandchildren in Pennsylvania; it’s only a 10-hour drive, and is especially proud of his single-mom daughter, Michelle, who lost her arms and legs as a result of a staph infection 10 years ago. She is his hero. Yes, I know. Took my breath away too. Now, you know why we are so fortunate that Ron Gray has adopted us.
Despite all of his fancy titles, accolades and serious business acumen, he keeps his eye on how he can help others, not on himself. Sharon Brown, Cindy Owens and Joe Nehila deserve recognition for much of the planning and orchestrating and a big thank you to all the volunteers who help put it together last year and this. Like all Greater Chamber of Bluffton events, the ball is open to the public. Most chambers only give awards to paying members, but this chamber’s nomination process is all-inclusive so that all deserving members of our community, including those who may have previously gone unrecognized may be nominated for one of the coveted “Bluffton Oysters.” The Bluffton Business Awards recognize individuals and organizations which have distinguished themselves during the Award year through the excellence of their performance and contributions to the well-being and growth of the Greater Bluffton community. The Awards are based on nominations submitted by the public with finalists and winners being determined by a selection team of Chamber members. The Awards nomination process for the 2016 Bluffton Business Awards closed in December and the finalists in each of 12 categories have been notified and publicized. Thank you to Covert Aire and Farm Bureau Insurance for sponsoring this delightful event! Tickets are available online at bba2017.eventbrite.com or at the Chamber office at 217 Goethe Road in Bluffton.