Page 3 - Tau Kappa Epsilon - The Tech Teke - Fall 2017

Alumni News

Alumni Spotlight: John A. Sheffield ’80

By Glen Boylan ’81 have a good time.” Alpharetta, the long-time host of TMB, John
The TKEs at Georgia Tech have a long history The round of golf was followed by some solicited donations from the participants to
of doing good works for others—and managing adult beverages and poker back at John’s be auctioned and raffled in the clubhouse
to have a good time themselves while doing house. after the event. What started as a few items
so. Perhaps no Beta Pi TKE has embraced that The number of participants grew and they has grown exponentially, both in quantity and
methodology as well as frater John Sheffield settled on the date—traditionally the Friday quality, so that the post event auction is one of
’80. John’s Tax Man Blues golf tournament is after taxes are due—and a new name. the highlights of the day.
a highlight each spring for several foursomes “We used the outing as stress relief from And all the activities after the tournament
of TKEs, as well as many of John’s neighbors, having to file taxes,” John recalls. “Tax Man still go on, sometimes at more than one TMB
friends, and business Blues seemed like the household, but you can count on the fact that
associates. perfect name.” each TMB ends up with poker being played at
But more than that, the More and more people John’s house. To recognize the years of hard
tournament has become joined the tournament, work Sheffield has put into the event, this year
an annual fundraiser for and the after-golf activities the TMB participants got together to surprise
North Fulton Communities quickly grew from just John with an official Tax Man Blues poker table.
Charities (NFCC). For years poker to bocce ball, But John is quick to point out that he
now, the proceeds from horseshoes, table tennis, doesn’t do this on his own. Many of the golfers
the day’s activities (it’s and an open barbeque grill donate the prizes, get contributions from
much more than just a golf for all sorts of delectable neighborhood businesses, and help run the
tournament now) have meats. And poker. There’s event.
been donated to NFCC. always poker. “So many people make the TMB work,
In recognition of that Word spread and the I’m reluctant to name any because I’ll miss
support, North Fulton event continued to grow. someone, but Dave Hady and John Johnson
Community Charities Barbara Duffy presents the North Somewhere about 1997, have contributed a lot of time and effort for
awarded the Tax Man Fulton Community Charities 2015 Civic John had the idea to use many years to the event,” Sheffield said. “The
Blues as their Civic Partner Partner of the Year award to John the golf tournament as event wouldn’t be anywhere near what it is
of the Year for 2015. Sheffield and the Tax Man Blues. a way to raise money for today without their help.”
The donation from the NFCC. In true Beta Pi fashion, John has managed
2016 tournament put the Tax Man Blues over North Fulton Community Charities (NFCC) to combine an enjoyable day of golfing,
$100,000 in total donations to NFCC. And this is a nonprofit agency working to build self- fellowship, and fun with raising money for a
year’s event celebrated two milestones: the sufficiency and preventing homelessness and great organization working hard to help people
25th anniversary of the TMB, and the largest hunger for people in the Alpharetta, Johns out right in John’s hometown. You can’t beat
single year donation, over $28,000. Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, and Roswell that, even with an aces high straight.
But it didn’t exactly start out that way. areas. The training and opportunities provided The 2018 Tax Man Blues is already in the
Way back in 1992, it was just John and a by the NFCC Education Center have helped works. If you’re interested in participating on
handful of neighbors heading out to play golf. 1,200 adults move toward financial stability April 20, keep an eye on the Beta Pi newsletter
“Our wives called it ‘the Husbands from and self-sufficiency. for more information early next year, or go to
Hell,’” Sheffield said. “We were just out to Teaming up with the Trophy Club in www.taxmanblues.org.

Tax Man Blues participants at the charity event for North Fulton Community Charities.

The Tech Teke | Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity | Georgia Institute of Technology | Fall 2017 3