Cherry Blossom Festival names new board members

The Cherry Blossom Festival announced Friday the members of its newly elected executive committee and new board members.

Robert McMahon will take over as the board chairman, while Thomas Bacote was named chairman-elect. Mark Butcher was named the festival chairman for next year, while David Lanier and Elizabeth Cleveland were named treasurer and secretary, respectively.

Other executive committee members are: Carolyn Crayton (founder); Bill Fickling III (Fickling family representative); Teresa Robinson (Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful board chairwoman); Cyndey Busbee (past board chairwoman); George McCanless (past festival chairman); and Jake Ferro (president and CEO of the Cherry Blossom Festival).

New board members elected are: Jim David, Dale “Doc” Dougherty, Patty Gibbs, Jarelyn Middleton and John Rhea.

The festival also announced two staff appointments. Sean Pritchard, who had served as festival business manager, has been appointed as director of programming and festival processes. Brandi Marks was named secretary and marketing assistant.

This story was originally published July 25, 2014 at 12:06 PM with the headline "Cherry Blossom Festival names new board members ."