Page 48 - July 2019 Conference Program Volume 42 No. 01

the Arts. In 1991, Current Magazine named him “One of
the 10 most important people in public broadcasting”
for his role in programming the Metropolitan Opera’s
epic 15-hour telecast of Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle.
Gabel hails from Camp Hill, PA and holds a B.A. Degree
in Opera from Mansfield University. He began his show
business career in 1971 just outside of Gettysburg as a
clown with a small student circus and was immediately
hired to tour professionally for several seasons with Hoxie
Bros., the 2nd largest big top circus in America playing
300 consecutive one night stands annually. As Chuckles
the Clown, he appeared as a special guest on the
national television series Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood in
1986.

Melissa Geiger joined the Aloha Theatre professionally in
2014, following several years of volunteer involvement in
all aspects of the company. Her prior work in investment
banking and real estate have proven useful in the
sometimes chaotic world of non-profit theatre, where
Melissa loves combining business and the arts. She feels
fortunate to call Hawaii home, and enjoys exploring the
Big Island with her husband and their Bernedoodle pup.

Jeff Greene and his team of designers and craftsmen
customplaster.net have combined art, science, and technology to restore
some of the country’s most significant interior spaces for
over 40 years. As Founder and Chairman, Jeff has led
large-scale interior conservation, restoration and new
design work, and is considered one of the foremost experts in innovative techniques for restoring murals, plaster,
and decorative finishes.

Becky Hancock has over 20 years’ experience in the performing arts and nonprofit sectors. As Executive
Director of the Historic Tennessee Theatre Foundation, she oversees all Theatre activity, serves as the public
face of the organization, and works with the HTTF Board of Directors to preserve and maintain this important
community asset and Official State Theatre of Tennessee. The Tennessee Theatre is active 200+ days annually,
presenting 40 touring concerts, 6 Broadway titles, 10 classic films, the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and
Knoxville Opera, and numerous community and private events each year. In 2005, the Theatre completed
a $30 million comprehensive renovation and has since welcomed more than 2 million patrons and helped
revitalize downtown Knoxville.

Becky’s career began in arts administration, working in New York City for a public relations firm representing
classical musicians and performing arts organizations. She moved back to her hometown in 2001 to work for
AC Entertainment, managing the daily operations of Tennessee Theatre until 2007. She was actively involved
in the 2005 renovation, participating in both operational/programmatic planning and assisting the Board in
fundraising. Prior to her 2013 return to the Tennessee Theatre, she was Assistant Director of Knox Heritage, a
preservation advocacy organization.
Becky is a graduate of Leadership Knoxville’s Class of 2006, and she is a member of the Executive Women’s
Association and Tennesseans for the Arts. She also currently serves on the board of Visit Knoxville and Knoxville’s
Central Business Improvement District. She spends her free time practicing yoga, renovating her historic home,
and making music with her husband and friends.

De Heaton is the Executive Director of the Corning Opera House Cultural Center in rural southwest Iowa. Prior
to her work for the opera house, she taught K-12 music in public and private schools. As school budgets were
cutting arts programs, De began advocating for the arts. She joined the opera house board in 2008 when
restoration was still a dream. This led to a career switch to promote the arts and help our small community
thrive. The restoration was completed in June 2012 and De became the director. As we start our seventh year
of business, De is passionate about enriching and enhancing others’ lives through the arts and community
PAGE 46 | INLEAGUE League of Historic American Theatres