PlanetRockwall.com

Mayors Unite to Benefit Arts in Rockwall

---

Directory Listing

Hilton Bella Harbor

Calendar

Rockwall Alliance for the Arts Gala

Former Rockwall mayor Alma Williams Howard and current mayor of Rockwall Bill Cecil are combining their forces for the good of the community. Ms. Howard and Mr. Cecil will be joining Chief Justice Carolyn Wright and Craig Zurek to serve on the judging panel for the “Dancing with the Stars” competition which will be held during the annual Rockwall County Alliance for the Arts gala on September 11, 2010 at the Hilton Bella Harbor. Local celebrity dance contestants include: Lowell and Betty Moon, Rob Vaughn, Jack Ogilvie, Rob and Sara Whittle, and Dave and Carole Cutcomb. Although the judges will be giving critiques on each couple’s routine, the coveted trophy will be bestowed upon the duo that receives the highest monetary donation from the audience. The money raised will go toward funding arts-related scholarships for Rockwall County students.

Alma Williams Howard is currently president of the Economic Development Corporation, as well as president of the Municipal Benefits Corporation in Heath. In addition, she is on the Board of Governors for Presbyterian Hospital of Rockwall. She has been a member of the Rockwall City Council and president of the Parks and Recreation Board. Her other accomplishments include being a founding member of the Rockwall Independent School District Education Foundation, Rockwall Women’s League, Rockwall Historical Foundation, AMICA, Rockwall Art League, and Friends of the Library, holding offices in many of these organizations. Alma has been a resident of Rockwall County since 1972, and she and her husband Robert are residents of Heath. They have 2 children and 2 grandchildren.

Bill Cecil was elected Mayor in May 2005 after serving over 5 years on the Rockwall City Council. Bill currently serves on a number of city subcommittees, including Finance and Customer Centered Culture. In addition, he dedicates a great deal of time to supporting the arts and historic preservation in his community. He retired from the Air Force Reserves in December 2002 as a Lieutenant Colonel after 39 years of regular and reserve service. He retired in June 2005 from the Department of Defense as Director of the Defense Contract Management Office at Bell Helicopter after more than 32 years with the Defense Contract Management Agency. He is a graduate of Langston University where he majored in Business and Administrative Management. Bill and his wife Becky celebrated their forty-fifth wedding anniversary in June. They are the proud parents of Renee, Jack, and daughter-in-law Angela, and have two grand children, Garrett and Rylie.

The Rockwall County Alliance for the Arts is a non-profit organization whose goal is to promote the arts in Rockwall. This year’s gala, America the Beautiful, seeks both to raise money for scholarships and to honor our country’s military heroes. To purchase tickets for the gala or to become a sponsor, please call Kathleen Morrow at (972)772-1111.