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[ Meet The Committees ]
 Meet the Black & White Ball 2008 Steering Team
Rosie Mietzel, Steve Galyardt, Michelle Strange, Leslie Maita, Dave
Rosenthal, Kathy Partak, Dave Partak, Bruce Cosgrove
By the time August 16th rolls around and the streets of Downtown Auburn are
transformed to resemble a movie studio back lot atmosphere, the Black &
White Ball Steering Team will have met for 11 of the previous 12 months.
Following their wrap-up sessions in October and November 2007, when evaluation
of the previous ball was completed, the new committee determines what to keep,
what to drop, and then they take off a month.
In January, things gear up when the committee of 8 area business owners and
involved community members meet to select the theme and consider the music for
the next Ball. By the end of several listening sessions, the group is fairly
confident that they have selected the best overall entertainment package that
will complement the Ball's next theme. Then they tackle the other aspects of the
Ball!
This incredible group has been working non-stop to bring you
the best experience they can. It takes a superhuman effort to make the
Black & White Ball happen. Months of planning culminate with a
one-night affair to remember. Meeting weekly, the Steering Team
coordinates directly with the various event chairmen, discussing
everything from decorations, marketing, security, entertainment, sponsors,
banking, restaurants, bars, to logistics such as power requirements, temporary
fencing, and restrooms! Here's a little background on each member of this
powerful group, and please click here for
a list of our Committee Chairs.
Rosie Mietzel, 2008 Chair - Rosie is the owner of Call Me Entertainment, an event planning
company and a Realtor with Lifestyle Real Estate Company. She has served for the
past 7 years as Entertainment Chair of the Black & White Ball and this is
her 3rd year chairing the event. She brings
extensive knowledge of the entertainment and event planning industry to the
Team. She has worked with national headliner talent as well as regional
and local groups, and brings 17 years of experience to the table. Her real
estate career has flourished since 1985, and her hobbies include country music,
antiquing, and hot rods with her husband Ted.
Steve Galyardt serves
on the Steering Team as well as overseeing all aspects of banking for the Black
& White Ball. Steve is
well-qualified for this important position, and works throughout the night to
insure that drink tokens, cash, and tickets are handled securely. As past-President of the Chamber of Commerce, Steve is another example of the wonderful commitment and
volunteerism that it takes to make Auburn the great city it is.
Michelle Strange
serves on the Black and White Ball Steering
Committee and is also the Chair of the Sponsorship Committee. Michelle and
her team work tirelessly to ensure our event sonsors are well taken care of and
she is always looking for opportunities to recruit new sponsors. You’ll see
Michelle and her team around town delivering the popular Black & White Ball
Rabbits. Michelle is Vice President
& Manager of the Auburn Branch of Citizens Bank of
Northern California
. She resides in
Auburn
with her husband and 11-year old son. Citizens
Bank is the official Bank for the Black and White Ball.
Dave Rosenthal, also known as That Guy at KAHI
radio, has been in the Auburn community for over a decade now. He came to
KAHI Radio in May of '97 and immediately jumped into the community as host of
the morning drive show. Over the years he has hosted many events in the
community and has always been a proponent of Auburn's Black and White
Ball. Whether he has been a roving video reporter at the Ball or
announcing the entrants to the VIP party, or as a member of the Black and White
Golf Classic committee, the Ball has always been a source of great price and
pleasure for Dave. This is his first year on the Steering Committee and
has served on the Marketing Committee for three years.
Dave and Kathy Partak moved to Auburn in
2003. Dave is a longtime member of the California Army National Guard, and
served in Iraq from 2004-2005. Currently Dave is active duty in retention and
marketing. Kathy is a Mortgage Planner with Sierra Capital Mortgage and a
Writer. Kathy has been published in numerous Chicken Soup for the Soul books in
addition to having a motivational book in the works. Having sponsored and
attended the ball four years running, Dave and Kathy bring a new perspective to
the steering team. They provide key insight on things more from the ball-goers
point of view.
Leslie Maita is new to the Steering Team, but a
long-time member of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce as well as an active Auburn resident.
Leslie is the owner of Maita Ford Mercury and a repeat sponsor of the Black and White
Ball. Leslie's head for business with a strong sales background and social
skills bring a fun community spirit to the Team.
Bruce Cosgrove,
Executive Director of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce - the man who makes it all
happen! While letting the Steering Team
bring their ideas and energy to the Ball each year, Bruce is always there to
insure the Ball is a positive event for the Chamber of Commerce and the
Community. During the final weeks leading up to the Ball, you will see the
lights burning late into the night at the Chamber office, as he reviews
timelines, confirming that everything is happening as needed for a successful
Ball. And on the 3rd Saturday in September each year, you will see him on
the streets delivering supplies, decorations, rabbits to the different venues. A
great leader, we applaud Bruce and his dedication to the Black & White Ball!
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