Since it’s inception Blacktie has interviewed over 450 philanthropists for its popular Have You Met Feature. Every two years, Blacktie throws a party to honor these individuals and to present the Georgia R. Imhoff Volunteer Extraordinare Award.
The 2015 incarnation of this event was held at the Lime Restaurant at the Pavilions in downtown Denver. Thanks to the generosity of hosts Curt and Pam Savage Sims, guests were treated to a complimentary margarita when they arrived and great appetizers and a taco bar. Lime has a wonderful space for events, the tv screens were showing pictures of the individuals that have been featured as Have You Met interviewees over the years.
At 7:30 Blacktie chief Kenton Kuhn introduced the Blacktie team and introduced the prior recipients of the Georgia R. Imhoff Award. Ryta Sondergard was given the award in 2009, Beth Klein in 2011 (Beth was unable to attend) and Paul Tamburello in 2013.
Stacy Ohlsson then talked about the many charitable activities that the 2015 honorees were involved, and it’s several pages long. She then presented the Gerogia R. Imhoff award on behalf of her late mother and Blacktie co-founder, to John Farnam and Paul Heitzenrater.
John Farnam spoke to the crowd about their philosophy of involvement.
New this year was a financial gift made to two of the organizations that Farnam and Heitzenrater support: Excelsior Youth Center and Metro CareRing. Kudos to Maureen Regan Cannon, Nancy Koontz and Stacy Ohlsson for their financial gift that Messrs. Farnam and Heitzenrater are matching.
Nancy Koontz, Blacktie’s ace reporter who has personally conducted over 300 Have You Met interviews then introduced the musical entertainment; chanteuse Pam Savage Sims (wow, can she sing) and well known keyboardist Eric Gunnsion.
Seen in the crowd…… were a boat load of people! Too many to mention individually here, but see the pictures below to get an idea. Thanks to photography supervisor Pam Cress for the work she has done over the years to make sure that nonprofit stories are told in such a meaningful way.
As with prior events, lots of fun and new connections were made. People were buzzing about how to harness all of the power and productivity that was in the room.
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- Al Charron, left, and Michael Ditchfield
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- Sandi Hewins and Tom Jensen
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- Keri Christiansen and Trisha Hood
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- Frances Owens, left, and Trisha Hood
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- Beverly Black, left, and Ellen Stewart
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- Honorees John Farnam & Paul Heitzenrater
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- Lynn Wong, left, and Denise Snyder
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- Ben Irvin, left, Lynne Butler and Errol Manalang
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- Christine Jenkins and Noelle Benjamin
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- John Farnam, left, Michael McConnell, Dorie Lisowska and Paul Heitzenrater
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- Michael McConnell, Dorie Lisowska
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- Andy Levy, left, Lori Frisher, Paul Tamburello, past honoree
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- Paul Heitzenrater and John Farnam with Dr. Michael Salem, center
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- HYM guru Nancy Koontz and Bradley Joseph
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- Dahlia Weinstein, left, and Carolyn Strauss
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- Betsy Brachfeld and Ryan Galanaugh
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- Jesse Wise, left, Roselyn Saunders, John Godzac, Jan Blankennagel
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- David Perleberg and Kenton Kuhn
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- Wes and Kareina Westlund, left, and Bill Graveley
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- BJ Dyer, left, Stacy Ohlsson and Randy Ohlson
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- Regina Serna, left, Lois Paul and Karen Rosen
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- Cyndy Marsh and Rebecca Saltman
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- Will Vickstrom, left, Sally Hopper and Joe Belmont
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- Pete Martinez, left, Lu Stasko and Ron Atchison
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- John Farnam and Kathy Graveley
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- Jeffery Hoyle, left, Carmel Scopelliti and a friend
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- Sally Hopper, center, with her daughters Nancy Hopper and Anne Vickstrom
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- Jerry Barnett, left, Connie Robertson and John Faught
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- Keri Christiansen, left, Trisha Hood, Lee Bowen and Louise Richardson
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- Virginia Bray and Ryta Sondergard
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- Stacy Ohlsson says a few words about her mom, the late Georgia Imhoff, the co-founder of Blacktie
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- Stacy Ohlsson introduces the honorees
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- Paul Heitzenrater, left, & John Farnam with Stacy Ohlsson
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- Nancy Koontz and Kenton Kuhn on stage
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- The HYM group in attendance
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- The HYM group poses for a photo
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- Mary McNicholas, left, Ryta Sondergard and Nancy Koontz
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- Michelle Tuckner, left, and Vanessa Hughes
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- Nancy Koontz and Pete Martinez
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- Shauna Hilgers, Steve Shoppan, Deb Wilcox, Megan Streckewald from 3D Printing Company
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- Will Vickstrom, Stacy Ohlsson, Nancy Hopper, Rebecca Saltman
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- John Farnam, left, and Jeffery Hoyle
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- Keri Christiansen with a friend
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- Denise Snyder, left, and Connie Robertson
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- Lu Stasko and Ron Atchison partaking of the great eats.
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- Lois Paul and Ryta Sondergard with a friend, center
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- Susan, Regina Serna
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- David Perleberg, left, Kenton Kuhn and Steve Shoppman
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- Pam Sletten and Jeanie Curley
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- Marney Andes, center, with friends
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- Tom Jensen, Sandi Hewins
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- Jenn Florence and Samantha Parker make the Blacktie office run flawlessly.
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- Pam Cress, left, and Terri Fisher
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- Terri Fisher, Doug Tisdale, Stephanie Bender
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- Jerry Barnett, left, Nancy Koontz, Connie Robertson
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- Nancy Koontz and Pam Cress
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- A guest and John Faught
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- Kenton Kuhn makes announcements
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- Paul Tamburello and Ryta Sondergard, past honorees
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- Stacy Ohlsson on stage
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- Honorees Paul Heitzenrater and John Farnam
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- Nancy Koontz and Kenton Kuhn
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- The HYM group
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- HYM group exemplifies leadership
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- Dorie Lisowska, left, Bev Black,
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- Lori Frisher, left, and Frances Owens
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- Lynne Butler, left, Louise Richardson, Cyndy Marsh
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- Pamela Savage Sims can really sing!
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- Lois, Luke and Amber Human
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- Stacy Ohlsson, Paul Spacese and Carmel Scopelliti
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- Rachel Gazdick, left, Lo An Vo, David Zwyer
