Fundraising organization also names 5 additional board members
Zach Hess
From Staff Reports
Zach Hess has joined the staff of the Black Tie Dinner as development director, according to a statement released recently by Black Tie officials.
Hess, who has more than a decade of sales and fundraising experience, will join the Black Tie board’s sponsor committee, and will be primarily responsible for getting sponsorships and underwriters for the annual fundraising gala, which will be held this year on Oct. 1.
Nathan Robbins, 2016 Black Tie co-chair, said the organization is “thrilled to welcome Zach to the Black Tie Dinner family. His experience and energy will help increase the positive impact of our 35th anniversary dinner and beyond.”
Noting that Black Tie dinner “has a rich history of doing incredible work in our community,” Hess added that he is “very excited to build upon this foundation of excellence, forge new and progressive relationships, and renew and grow support from existing stakeholders that will advance Black Tie Dinner’s mission and expand the support given to HRC Foundation and all our local beneficiaries.”
Black Tie Dinner is the country’s largest LGBT fundraising dinner. Proceeds each year are divided between a slate of local LGBT and HIV/AIDS organizations and the national HRC Foundation. The 34th anniversary dinner last November raised $1,030,000.
Hess most recently worked as corporate partnerships office for American Red Cross’ North Texas Region. His job there was to generate business leads and solicit gifts from new, existing and former corporate donors, increasing revenue for Red Cross. He has also previously worked managing regional fundraising efforts for the American Lung Association in Dallas.
Hess is also a professionally trained opera singer who performs with The Dallas Opera in his free time. He attended Abilene Christian University and The New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.
Daniel Waldmann, senior vice president of public affairs for Tenet Healthcare Corporation, underwriting sponsor for the Black Tie Sneak Preview Party, also welcomed Hess to the BTD team, praising his “tremendous passion for helping others.”
New board members
Black Tie Dinner also recently named five new members to its board. They are: Kathleen Hobson with the Auctions and Community Relations committees; Carter Lindley with the Auctions and Marketing committees; Jeremy Hawpe with the Business Operations Committee; Rob James with the Marketing Committee and Scott Bates with the Program Committee.
Mitzi Lemons, 2016 BTD co-chair, said the new board members are “all outstanding additions to our incredibly talented and passionate board. We are excited about the skills and enthusiasm each one brings to the table, which will allow us to continue being a leading contributor to the community.”
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition March 18, 2016.