Meet our Stars
Jim Glover
Jim Glover has lived in Marietta most of his life, where his
family has been for six generations.
After graduating from Bryan College, Jim was the sixth generation to
work in his family's business, Glover Machine Works, Inc. Originally, it was the only steam locomotive
manufacturing facility south of Virginia.
He is currently a managing broker and V. P. for Atlanta Fine
Homes Sothebys International Realty, Cobb office. He was the board chairman of
the Cobb Symphony Orchestra (now the Georgia Symphony Orchestra) for four years
and COO/CFO/ and CEO of Proia Dance Project, a non-profit ballet and
contemporary dance company.
Jim was also a co-founder of the Marietta Welcome Center in
1987, charter chairman of The Marietta Pilgrimage Christmas Home Tour,
co-founded the Cobb Preservation Foundation, Inc., was a member of the Glover
Park Restoration Committee in the 1980s and holds the title of Duke of
Albermarle in the Society of First Families of South Carolina. Jim is active in animal rescue and wants to
see every living creature have a bed to sleep in at night, which is why MUST
Ministries touches his heart.
To vote for Jim by donating, purchasing tickets or becoming a sponsor, click here.
Ollie Patterson
Ollie Patterson was once the highest-ranked executive for a
Fortune 50 company responsible for leading four business units to world-class
status, each ranging in revenue support responsibility from $200 million to
$600 million in size.
After 25 years in corporate America, Ollie stepped out to
pursue his real passion: music. He wrote a jazz-gospel song that reached the
top 10 most requested song on the radio for two consecutive years and was the
former director of music at Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. In 2019, Ollie
served as president of the Kennesaw Business Association. He has four children
and he and his wife, Anna, live in Acworth. He is currently the President of
Ollie Patterson Music, LLC.
To vote for Ollie by donating, purchasing tickets or becoming a sponsor, click here.
Ashbelle Pierre
Ashbelle Pierre is the Children's Associate at Piedmont
Church and is currently pursuing a dual Masters in Business Administration and
Divinity. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family,
enjoying new restaurants, hosting game nights, hiking, or watching the latest
Marvel movie. Ashbelle said she is dancing because it is such a great opportunity to
merge together her love for helping the community and dance.
To vote for Ashbelle by donating, purchasing tickets or becoming a sponsor, click here.
Kathryn Ruff
Kathryn Ruff was born in Savannah and spent most of her
childhood in Cobb County. She attended Kennesaw State University, majoring in
middle grades education. In a turn of events, she shifted gears in 2008 to
focus on marketing for small to medium-size businesses and formed her own marketing
business, Catalyst 21, focusing on Georgia brands.
Her professional philosophy is based on helping people take
their natural talent given by God to grow their business and impact their
community. Over the years, she has expanded her scope to include more
philanthropic efforts and has helped raise over $300,000 for local nonprofits.
She also serves on the board for Cobb Schools Foundation.
Kathryn and her husband, Wes, are a blended family of seven
and have one child still in school at McCleskey Middle School. In addition to
focusing on her growing business, she enjoys studying holistic health, natural
science, theology, and spending time at her favorite regenerative farm, White
Oak Pastures.
To vote for Kathryn by donating, purchasing tickets or becoming a sponsor, click here.
Farrah Dale
Farrah is a marketing specialist with Credit Union of
Georgia. From volunteering through AmeriCorps and Big Brothers/Big Sisters to
giving back to local charities with Credit Union of Georgia, she strongly feels
that there is no way to better our communities than through faith and serving.
Farrah has a passion for helping others. Born and raised in
the local community, she has previously helped serve families in need with the
MUST Ministries Summer Lunch Program and is now ready to take it a step (or
foxtrot) further by partaking in MUST Dance.
At the end of the day, you can find Farrah and her
one-year-old daughter, Fran, playing outside with their German Shepherd, riding
in the pasture or just relaxing on the back porch with a popsicle.
To vote for Farrah by donating, purchasing tickets or becoming a sponsor, click here.
Dan Garcia
Dan Garcia is the President of C.W. Matthews Contracting Co.
and has been in the industry for 26 years. Dan was born in Caracas, Venezuela
and moved to the United States at the age of 17 after completing high school.
He attended The Citadel and graduated in 1996 with a BS in Civil Engineering,
then received his MBA from Mercer University in 2010. Dan serves as a board
member of North Cobb Christian School, Extra Special People, Youth in Mission,
and the Georgia Highway Contractors Association. He recently assisted in the
capital campaigns for MUST Ministries and The Extension.
Faith and Family are very important to Dan; he attends St.
Joseph Catholic Church in Marietta. Dan and his wife Debbie have been married
for 23 years and have 5 children - Erika, Brianna, Kevin, Michelle, and
Katherine.
To vote for Dan by donating, purchasing tickets or becoming a sponsor, click here.
