By Karah Wilson
karah@southerntorch.com
RAINSVILLE, Ala.— The Northeast Alabama Community College (NACC) Foundation Board is hosting its annual Holiday Gala on Friday, December 11 at 6 p.m. in the William M. Beck and Fine Arts Building (gymnasium). This year Dr. David Campbell, NACC President, and the Foundation have made it possible for renovations to the Fine Arts Building. With these improvements, the Holiday Gala will prove to be one of the biggest holiday parties in our community.
“With a large open space, we will be able to add more tables and people,” stated Heather Rice, NACC Development Director. “We are looking to have 400 plus people there that evening! We will have great food, music from the NACC Alumni Jazz Band, a short musical program from our very own ENCORE! and the dance floor open with more music from the Jazz Ensemble after dinner. We are very excited about the changes and think this year’s event will be an evening you will not want to miss.”
This year’s honoree is Mr. John B. Lyda. Mr. Lyda is an 18-year veteran of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama and currently holds the position of Manager of Operations, Claims Administration.
With a passion for community and country that he inherited from his family, Lyda has always made public service a way of life. He served for four years on the Hoover Public Library Board of Trustees from 2009-2012 before running for the Hoover City Council, and in August of 2012, Lyda was elected to Place 3. He is past president of the Hoover-Metro Kiwanis Club and the Hats & Horns Societé. He is an active member of the Friends of Hoover, serves on the Board of Directors for the Red Elephant Club of Birmingham and the Assistance League of Birmingham, and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Alabama Civil Justice Foundation. Recognized for his outstanding leadership and accomplishments in both the public and private sectors, Lyda was named to the 2012 class of “Top 40 Under 40” by the Birmingham Business Journal. He recently has joined the NACC Foundation Young Professionals Committee. He has continued to support Northeast and be very active with Foundation Board fund-raisers such as the Golf Classic, Holiday Gala and earlier this year danced in Stars Dancing for Scholarships. “No public institution in north Alabama has had the profound, positive impact on the residents of the area like Northeast Alabama Community College,” stated Lyda. “The opportunities offered to me by NACC have been the key factor in my educational success.”
Lyda graduated from Pisgah High School in 1992, attended Northeast in 1992-1993, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from The University of Alabama and a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. His parents are John and Sonja Lyda of Flat Rock. He is married to Beth Kirkland and they have two children, Anna Kate (13) and Griffin (10).
NACC Foundation Board members invite all alumni and friends of the College to this event. All funds raised through this event support the mission of the college through scholarships for NACC students. The cost is $75.00 per person or you can purchase a patron table seating 8 for $600.00. You can reserve your seat by contacting Heather Rice at 256.638.4418, ext. 2301 or by email at riceh@nacc.edu.
