Meet Soiree Role Model Niki Harris

Niki Harris is accounting manager at Southern Nuclear. Her community involvement includes the Rotaract Club of Birmingham and Girls, Inc. of Central Alabama Committee of 25.

Niki’s community service has taught her that giving and serving are some of the best ways to learn more about yourself and to develop as a leader.

Her proudest accomplishment was running her first marathon. She says remembers when she could barely run a mile, so “to go from one to 26.2 was a pretty big deal.”

In addition to running and serving her community, Niki also loves to travel and eat at restaurants. She says, “I would love to be a travel and restaurant reviewer!”

Niki is a Soiree Role Model. Watch her rock the runway on July 17 at Rosewood Hall in Homewood's SoHo Square. 

Meet Soiree Role Model Jason Eppenger

Jason is commercial relationship manager at Wells Fargo Bank. In his community he serves as a board member and treasurer for the Central Alabama Chapter of Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, a board member for the Jefferson County Child Development Council, a coach for Upward Youth Sports at Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church, and a teen church instructor at Galilee Baptist Church.

Jason learned his most valuable lesson from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., when he said, “Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

Jason says this quote proved to him that a title or appointment is not required to create lasting change. “You just have to be willing to give of yourself for the greater good of others,” he said.

Jason is most proud of the accomplishments achieved by the staff and board of the Central Alabama Chapter of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America. Together they have raised more than one million dollars, which has led to the establishment of a new adult care clinic, improved access to services and resources, and additional support for research to cure the disease.

Jason is a Soiree Role Model. Watch him walk the runway on July 17 at Rosewood Hall: http://girlscoutsnca.org/donors/special-events/soiree/.

Meet Danielle Downing, Soiree Role Model

Danielle Downing will walk the runway as a Role Model at the fifth annual Soiree on July 17. She is marketing manager for Burr & Forman LLP. She has been involved with Rotaract Club, Sight Savers for America Junior Board, Kings Home and Leadership UAB Class of 2011. She has also served as marketing chair for UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Young Supporter’s Board and as Birmingham membership chair for the Legal Marketing Association. Danielle was not a Girl Scout, but she has been an avid consumer and promoter for Girl Scout Cookies for about 20 years.

“I certainly admire Girl Scouts and its mission to create and develop courage and confidence in girls,” she says.

Danielle is no stranger to finding her own courage. Her proudest accomplishment is skydiving. She is proud of herself for finding the courage within herself to take the plunge. “It was one of the best experiences of my life [to see] things from that perspective,” Danielle says.

Serving her community is important to her. Danielle believes it is important to step back from the business of work and home routines, and think about what really matters.

“You could answer 1,000 emails a day, implement business strategies or get everything done on your to-do-list, and yet none of it will give you the joy and sense of accomplishment like serving others will,” she says.

Watch Danielle rock the runway on July 17! Get your early bird tickets here.

Third Annual Soiree@SoHo a Success

2012 Role Models Trey Cummings, Jamika Kirk, Jim Cavale,
Elizabeth Boldin, Jon Macklem, Natasha Rogers, Andre Natta,
Amy Bailey, Crystal Holmes, Alan Garganus, Wendy Garner
and Carlin Everts

The Girl Scouts Young Professionals Society hosted the third annual Soiree@SoHo, formerly Soiree@Saks, July 26 at Rosewood Hall in SoHo Square. The event brought back the Role Model Runway for the second year. The fashion show featured professional community leaders wearing the latest fashions from Belk and Brookwood Mall.

The event featured catering by Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Que, live music by Ryan Kinder and a silent auction. Desserts were donated by Ashley Mac’s and Bruster’s Ice Cream. Coca-Cola Bottling Company donated beverages.

Silent auction items included hotel packages, golf packages, event tickets, dinner dates, fitness packages, jewelry, a green Regions bike and more. Guests also received swag bags provided by Belk filled with goodies.

Participating as models in the Role Model Runway were Amy Bailey of MyScoop Media; Elizabeth Boldin of Luckie & Co.; Jim Cavale of Iron Tribe Fitness; Trey Cummings of Bentley Realty Group Inc.; Carlin Everts of The Simblist Group LLC; Wendy Garner of Alabama's 13; Alan Gurganus of Alabama Environmental; Crystal Holmes of Sirote & Permutt, PC; Jamika Kirk of UAB College of Arts and Sciences; Jon Macklem of Christian & Small; Andre Natta of The Terminal/Urban Convo; and Natasha Rogers of Railroad Park.

Chairing the event was Mary Cummings of Frost Cummings Tidwell Group. Other committee members include Casi Ferguson, Ben Goldman, Wynona Raby, Kimberly Rudolph, Morgan Sport, Tiffany Story, J.W. Swift and Ali Wilburn.

Event sponsors included Hand Arendall, LLC, Sirote & Permutt and Regions Bank. All proceeds from the event benefited the initiatives of the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama.

Soiree@SoHo Role Model: Jamika Kirk

Jamika Kirk is an Alumni Affairs Specialist at UAB College of Arts and Sciences.

Jamika serves as Immediate Past President of the YWCA Junior Board and Chair for the Junior League of Birmingham The Market fundraiser. In addition, she serves on the Board of Directors of UAB Minority Health Research Center Young Professional and Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama.

Recently, Jamika along with four other community volunteers started a local affiliate chapter of the national Young Non-profit Professional Network to enhance the development and training of the next generation of nonprofit leaders in the Birmingham area.

Ms. Kirk has been recognized by Birmingham Magazine as one of Birmingham’s Young Professional Movers and Shakers and YP award by B Metro magazine. She received the Omicron Omega Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Young Professional Legacy of Leadership honoree award.

Jamika Kirk received a B.S. in Communication Studies from the University of Montevallo, and is currently enrolled in graduate school at The University of Alabama at Birmingham. 

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit girlscoutsnca.org/soiree.

Soiree@SoHo Role Model: André Natta

A Bronx, NY native, André studied architectural history and architecture at The Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia. He received his Certification in Main Street™ Management in 2008 and has previously worked for the Savannah Development and Renewal Authority in Georgia and Main Street Birmingham in Alabama.

André serves as the publisher and managing editor of The Terminal, bhamterminal.com, a critically acclaimed community news site about Alabama's Magic City and writes a monthly column on social media and how it’s impacting the future of Birmingham, AL for B-Metro Magazine called The Digital City. He also works as a digital communications consultant having served clients both locally and nationally.

He stays active in his free time serving on several local boards and agencies including the Jefferson County Historical Commission (as its treasurer) in addition to seeing out baseball games whenever possible. 

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit girlscoutsnca.org/soiree. 

Soiree@SoHo Role Model: Crystal Holmes

Crystal is currently a shareholder in the law firm of Sirote & Permutt, P.C. where she has worked for almost eight years. Her law practice focuses on commercial transactions, including financing, leases, and commercial property purchases and sales. Crystal’s law practice also includes representing various parties in public financing transactions. She is currently the Vice President, Secretary and Delegate for BirminghamCREW, a local chapter of the national organization, CREW Network, whose focus is to help promote the careers of women involved in commercial real estate. She has volunteered for fundraisers for the YMCA and has served on the Junior Board of Prescott House.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit girlscoutsnca.org/soiree. 

Soiree@SoHo Role Model: Jim Cavale

A native of Syracuse, NY, Jim Cavale is the Vice President for Operations for Iron Tribe Fitness in Birmingham. Prior to joining Iron Tribe in 2010, Cavale started J.Anthony Productions, after graduating from the University of Montevallo in 2005.

In addition to creating NextSpex.com, a free website for high school student athletes to build their recruitment profiles, Jim is involved with Neverthirst. This non-profit, created by Iron Tribe's CEO & Founder, Forrest Walden, helps to provide clean drinking water in India, Central African Republic and Nepal. In 2013, Jim will participate in a well building project in India in memory of his mother. 

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit girlscoutsnca.org/soiree.

Soiree@SoHo Role Model: Trey Cummings

Trey Cummings has quietly become one of the best real estate professionals in Birmingham. He tirelessly leads three different companies as well as consults others. As the Managing Member and Owner of Crown Acquisition, LLC, Trey assists private real estate investment companies to purchase real estate then renovate and sell the properties for profit. Trey has assisted in over 120 of these type transactions since 2005. Trey's duties include the acquisition, budgeting and management of renovations, and coordination of selling the properties. Trey holds an Alabama Real Estate Broker’s License and is an Associate Broker with Bentley Realty Group, Inc. As a real estate agent, Trey has sold over 60 properties totaling almost $9 million since 2006.

In 2009 and 2010 Trey helped create two rental holding companies and manages over 20 rental properties. Each property positively cash flows and has built-in equity.

In addition, Trey serves as Vice President on the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s (UAB) National Alumni Society Board of Directors and as President-Elect for the Alys Stephens Center Junior Patrons Board of Directors. As a member of the Alys Stephens Center Junior Patrons Board of Directors, Trey has helped raise funds for kids programs at ArtPlay through the group’s annual event “College Rewind." Trey was recently Chair of the 2012 “College Rewind” event which raised over $22,000 for ArtPlay.

Trey enjoys playing golf, running, cycling, boating and reading. Trey’s favorite past time is spending time and vacationing with his wife Mary and daughters Kinsley and Marian.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit girlscoutsnca.org/soiree.

Soiree@SoHo Role Model: Wendy Garner

Wendy Garner is the host of Daytime Alabama on Alabama’s 13. Before coming to this role she was the morning and midday news anchor at Alabama’s 13.

She also hosted the morning show on 93.7 WDJC, and produced and hosted a statewide show for Alabama Public Television called, “Profiles with Wendy Garner." Before coming to Birmingham she anchored and reported the news for stations in Montgomery and Tuscaloosa.

Wendy has been involved in many charities in the community. That commitment to service earned her recognition as one of the “Top Ten Birminghamians” by the Birmingham Jaycees. She currently serves on the Advisory Board for the Bell Center. She also recently served on the Advisory Council for Auburn University’s College of Liberal Arts, and was a board member for the Greater Birmingham Auburn Club. 

Wendy is an active member of her church, Meadow Brook Baptist. She is married to her college sweetheart, Tim Garner. They have two sons, Cole and Reece ages 11 and 9 and their second home is at the ballpark!

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit girlscoutsnca.org/soiree. 

Soiree@SoHo Role Model: Carlin Everts

Carlin Everts is a native of Birmingham, Ala. and works full-time as a territory manager and sales representative, covering the state of Alabama and Mississippi, for The Simblist Group, a multi-line wholesale company based in Atlanta. She is a certified Body Pump and CX Worx instructor, teaching group fitness classes several times a week at local gyms. Carlin is a member of Church of the Highlands where she serves on the Dream Team and Events Committee and recently accepted a placement on Birmingham Fashion Week's Junior Board. Carlin is married to Josh Everts of Iowa and the two will be opening their own Oral Surgery practice on August 1. 

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit girlscoutsnca.org/soiree. 

Soiree@SoHo Role Model: Jon Macklem

Jon Macklem, a native of Mobile, Ala., is an attorney with the law firm of Christian Small, LLP. He is a two time graduate of the University of Alabama, earning bachelor degrees in History and Political Science, as well as his law degree in 2005. As an undergraduate, Jon served as the student government association President in 2001-2002. In his law practice, Jon primarily focuses on providing businesses legal advice on a wide range of operational issues, as well as defending businesses in commercial and employment litigation. Jon is an active member of the Birmingham Rotaract Club and the Young Lawyer’s of Birmingham executive committee. Jon is engaged to Elizabeth Baker who works is a speech pathologist at Children’s Hospital. The couple is getting married in August. 

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit girlscoutsnca.org/soiree.

Soiree@SoHo Role Model: Natasha Rogers

Natasha Rogers is a native of Selma, Alabama and is the Special Events Coordinator for Railroad Park. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from Miles College in May of 2002.

Ms. Rogers began her career in Journalism working with Weekend Today and Dateline NBC as part of the prestigious NBC Page Program in New York, NY. After her time in the Big Apple, Natasha returned to Birmingham and began working as a production assistant/associate producer for the local NBC affiliate, WVTM. Ms. Rogers then relocated again, this time to Monroe, LA. where she worked as a General Assignment Reporter for the local CBS affiliate KNOE. From there, she returned to Birmingham and began working for her alma mater as the Assistant Director of Media Relations.

In Natasha’s spare time she serves as a freelance writer for the Birmingham Times Newspaper and teaches an elective course called, “What’s In The News?” for the Federal TRIO Program Upward Bound. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Public Relations Society of America and the Alys Stephens Center Junior Patrons Board. Ms. Rogers is also a 2011 class member of Leadership UAB. 

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit girlscoutsnca.org/soiree.

Soiree@SoHo Role Model: Elizabeth Boldin

Elizabeth Boldin is an Account Executive with Luckie & Company where she works in account management for Regions Bank. Prior to joining Luckie in 2011, she managed consumer events for magazine publisher Hoffman Media and planned corporate, political and non-profit events for a leading special events company in Boston. Elizabeth graduated Cum Laude from Boston University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication and was able to include a semester studying abroad at the University of Grenoble in France.

Elizabeth has been recognized as a B-Metro Style Icon and one of Birmingham Magazine’s Most Beautiful People. In addition to volunteering at Birmingham’s Ronald McDonald House, she has also served on the Host Committee for Shake Rattle & Roll benefiting the Parkinson Association of Alabama. 

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit girlscoutsnca.org/soiree.

Girl Scouts YP Society Hosts Third Annual Soiree@SoHo

Back: J.W. Swift, Mary Cummings, Ali Wilburn,
Tiffany Story, Meredith Foster;
Front: Ben Goldman, Kimberly Rudolph, Casi Ferguson

The Girl Scouts Young Professionals Society will host the third annual Soiree@SoHo, formally Soiree@Saks, on Thursday, July 26, 2012 at Rosewood Hall inSoHo Square from 6:30-9 p.m.

Young professionals are invited to join the YP Society for live music, food and drinks, a silent auction and role model runway fashion show provided by Belk at Brookwood Mall. Proceeds from the event ensure that girls across the North-Central Alabama have the opportunity to participate in Girl Scout programs.

Participating as models on the Role Model Runway are Amy Bailey of MyScoop Media; Elizabeth Boldin of Luckie& Co.; Jim Cavale of Iron Tribe Fitness; Trey Cummings of Bentley Realty Group Inc.; Carlin Everts of The Simblist Group LLC; Wendy Garner of Alabama's 13; Alan Gurganus of Alabama Environmental; Crystal Holmes of Sirote&Permutt, PC; Jamika Kirk of UAB College of Arts and Sciences; Jonathan Macklem of Christian & Small; Andre Natta of The Terminal/Urban Convo; and Natasha Rogers of Railroad Park.

Chairing the event is Mary Cummings of Frost Cummings Tidwell Group. Other committee members include Elizabeth Emerson, Casi Ferguson, Ben Goldman, Kyle Keith, Emily Kent, Ashley White Lord, Wynona Raby, Kimberly Rudolph, Morgan Sport, Tiffany Story, J.W. Swift and Ali Wilburn.

Sponsors for the event include Alabama’s 13, b-metro, Belk at Brookwood Mall, Regions Bank, Jim ‘N Nick’s, Hand Arendall LLC, Sirote & Permutt PC and MyScoop.

For sponsor and ticket information, please contact Meredith Foster, Communications Coordinator, at 205-453-9530 or mfoster@girlscoutsnca.org.

American Family Care To Host Soiree@Saks

The Girl Scouts Young Professionals Society will host the second annual Soiree@Saks will be held on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at Saks Fifth Avenue at The Summit from 6:30-9 p.m. Being introduced this year is a Role Model Runway. This fashion show will feature professional community leaders wearing some of Saks’ hottest fashions.

Tickets are just $30/individual and $50/couple and include beverage tickets. Tickets may be purchased on the event website.

The event will feature hors d’oeuvres by Café IZ, live music by the Jason Bailey Band, plus a silent auction. Flip Burger Boutique will serve their liquid nitrogen cocktails, while other beverages have been donated by Good People Brewery.

Also, all in attendance will get the chance to shop at Saks Fifth Avenue! With a portion of the sales going back to the Girl Scouts. The first 50 guests will receive Super Swag Bags filled with goodies, and the next 100 will receive regular swag bags. There will also be a door prize drawing for all guests to include a great Saks Fifth Avenue item!

Silent Auction items include baby packages, hotel stays, event tickets, dinner dates, fitness packages, spa days, Saks merchandise and much more!

Participating as models in the Role model Runway are Amy Bailey of MyScoop Media; Courtney Bascom Truss of the Birmingham Business Alliance; Keith Brashier of Gregory, Burns & Brashier; Jason Gardwood of Moore Chiropractic; Tate Maddox of Live Design Group; Audrey Pannell of STYLE Advertising; Mary Potter Cummings of the Frost Cummings Tidwell Group; Marc Raby, a local playwright and author; Juliana Ramirez of the Hispanic Interest Group; Shanon Raine of Protective Life; Janine Smith of Burr Forman; Dafina Ward of AIDS Alabama; Elena White of The Green Way and Coordinator of Green Drinks; and Walker White Dorman of Summer Classics.

Chairing the event is Sarah Moran. Vivian Yeilding is the Co-Chair. Other committee members include Ben Goldman, Stephanie Hutcheson, Lindsey Mann, Melissa May, Rukiya McClain, Rachel McElroy, Colleen Mullins, Wynona Raby, Jen Ruiz, Susan Sheilds and Tiffany Story.

Soiree’s presenting sponsor is American Family Care. Other event sponsors include Hand Arendall, Infomedia and Regions Bank.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the initiatives of the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama.

For more information, contact Liz Furst at 980-4750 x1023 or email lfurst@girlscoutsnca.org. You can also visit the event website at www.girlscoutsnca.org/soiree. Must be 21 or older to attend.