Center for Puppetry Arts Elects New Chairman, Officers and Board Members

Atlanta attorney Allen W. Yee of The Coca-Cola Company has been elected chairman of the Center for Puppetry Arts' Board of Directors. At 38 years old, Yee is not only the youngest member of the board; he is the youngest leader of a major Atlanta arts organization as well. Yee also serves on the boards of The Atlanta Opera and Sigma Pi Educational Foundation, and he is an active alumni supporter of the University of Georgia School of Law, where he recently helped create its Jurist-in-Residence program.

Yee succeeds banking executive, Michael Dunlap of Brand Bank, who served as chairman since 2010. Dunlap played an important role during a time of tremendous growth for the Center which included the $15 million Worlds of Puppetry Museum expansion, completed in November 2015. The expansion attracted national attention as the permanent home of the Jim Henson museum.

"We are delighted to have Allen's fresh leadership and energy," said Founder & Executive Director Vincent Anthony. "His leadership is a perfect complement to the Center's expanded scope and increased stature."

The Center also elected two new officers to the 2016-2017 Board of Directors. Jim Schwarzkopf of Empire Distributors Inc.is treasurer; and Susan Pease Langford of Butler Snow LLP has been named secretary. Vincent Anthony continues to serve as president and executive director.

In addition, the Center has added three new members to its Board of Directors.

Jamie Pryor, managing director and senior vice president for corporate and institutional banking at PNC Bank: Pryor helps direct the PNC Grow Up Great® program and has served on the boards of Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, RBC Blue Water Project and the Fulton County United Way.

Martha Thompson "Mot" Dinos, community volunteer: Dinos is a long-time patron and volunteer for the arts, education and human services. Her service includes being a member of the boards of The Atlanta Opera, Open Hands Atlanta and the Georgia Museum of Art.

John Moye, counsel at Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP: Moye specializes in complex technology-related litigation. He serves on the Board of Crossroads Community Ministries and is a regular volunteer at Crossroads.

"We are pleased to have Jamie, Mot and John join our Board," said Anthony. "Their professional and philanthropic experiences are a great match for the Center and will help strengthen our connection with the Atlanta business, arts and cultural communities."