Friends of the Festival announced that Hugh J. Moore has been named president of the board of directors. Mr. Moore, who was appointed in December 2009, succeeds previous president Mark Ramsey.
Mr. Moore has held a seat on the Friends of the Festival board of directors for 20 years. He also served a two-year term as president in 1996-1997.
Mr. Moore currently works at the Chattanooga based law firm Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel. He has an extensive list of accomplishments and honors, as well as degrees from both Vanderbilt and Yale University.
Officials said, "Mr. Moore plays an intricate role in the programming and operations of the events produced by Friends of the Festival. His expertise and knowledge is paramount when it comes to the Riverbend Festival."
Jeff Styles, assistant Riverbend talent coordinator and Talk Radio host on WGOW 102.3 said, "In my 10 years with the festival, there have been a handful of board members that have truly been 'hands on' and involved with its inner workings. Hugh chief among them, and even though he has a few years on many of the staff here (especially the young guns who consider themselves to be 'REAL music aficionados’'), has got the keenest sense of what's new, what's hip, what's cool and how to find the most cutting edge acts and musical styles forming out there. When I bring up a band that's critically acclaimed but not yet a household name...a little esoteric...o.k., even a bit on the 'weird' side...I know Hugh will not only know 'who' they are but can tell me where they played last and what magazine just did a big article on them."
Officers of the Friends of the Festival board include Cara Alday, Judy Bellenfant, Holly Harwell, Mike Mallen, Harry W. McKeldin III, Brent Mills, Mark Ramsey, Manny Rico and Executive Director, D. C. (Chip) Baker. Other members on the Board of Directors are Becky Browder, Doug Cook, Mike Costello, Fred Gregg, Ed Harrison, Patsy Hazelwood, Wade Hinton, Terri Holley, Mary Kilbride, Morty Lloyd, Henry Luken and Maury Nicely.