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Who We Are
The Las Vegas Celtic Society concept was born in September, 2003, at a meeting of concerned people with varying ties to the Celtic Community. From that initial meeting forming the core concept, several other meetings were held in which a new organization was formed to produce and host a Highland Games event in Las Vegas in conjunction with the Centennial Celebration of the City of Las Vegas.
The new organization adopted the name “Las Vegas Celtic Society” as this most closely expressed the position of the new group that ALL Celts would be welcomed and represented at the Games. It was decided that this new entity would be a non-profit, non-membership organization, led by officer/directors. A slight reorganization was held to resolve a conflict and the new officers started the business of producing an event. The current Board is comprised of:
President - Guy Parker
Vice President - Dr. Ken Misch
2nd Vice President - Brian Towers
Secretary - Woody Gordon
Treasurer - Tori Bullock
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Senator Dennis Nolan
Our first event in 2005 was in conjunction with the City’s Centennial Celebration, the Las Vegas Celtic Society wanted to do something unusual for its first Games. This continues to be the tone for the “Vegas Games”, something bigger, something better, something unusual. A traditional games with some Vegas Style.
We welcome assistance and participation from those with an interest in the Celtic community. We offer a chance to become involved on several levels. We have designed participation to be enjoyable, without the headaches of so few doing so much. We also invite those who prefer to offer moral support. A Highland Games event is something to be experienced, no matter what the level of involvement.
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Meet The Board of Directors
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Guy Parker
President
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Guy Parker has worked in management with a large construction company for 25 years. Many of his projects have changed the skyline of Las Vegas. He has been involved in the Scottish Community in Las Vegas for about 8 years. He has volunteered at Highland Games as a piping and drumming steward and was also a steward at the Western United States Pipe Band Association championships here in Las Vegas. He is married with two children. His daughter is a former tenor drummer and is now attending UNLV and is active in the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority. His son plays snare drums for Desert Skye Pipes and Drums and The Los Angeles Scots Grade 1 pipe band. His wife, Betty, is a teacher and also a tenor drummer with Desert Skye Pipes and Drums.
Guy is excited about the upcoming Fabulous Las Vegas Highland Games and shares the vision of many, to make this the biggest and best games in the United States!
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Dr. Ken Misch
Vice President
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Ken began his Drum Major career 31 years ago in Jr. High School in Las Vegas, NV. He went on to be the Drum Major for Chaparral High School. During that time he won many competitions locally, nationally and internationally. In 1978 he became the Drum Major for the University of Colorado Marching band. Besides leading the Buff's Marching Band Ken judged and taught at many local competitions and clinics. Ken entered medical school at the University of Nevada in 1983 and completed a residency in Pediatrics in 1991. He went on to complete a fellowship in Adolescent Medicine in 1993. He re-entered drum majoring in 1990 when he joined the Misty Isle Pipe Band. He was instructed in the Scottish style by Drum Majors George Brown and Ron Mountain. Ken joined the L.A. Scots in 2002. Ken also works with the Desert Skye Pipe Band in Las Vegas. He has organized the mass bands for several Highland Games and has helped instruct pipe bands in march and deportment. Ken is married to Dr. Rosemary Hyun and has two sons. He currently lives in Las Vegas where he is the CEO of Desert Valley Pediatrics.
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Brian Towers
2nd Vice President
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Brian relocated to Las Vegas valley in 2003. He has been involved with the Las Vegas Celtic Society for 5 years. He was elected to the board of directors 3 years ago. He comes to our board with 30 plus years of experience in events, concerts and festivals. He owns BT Artists & Entertainment, a company that handles the careers of entertainers and worldwide musical artists.
I love this festival and really have enjoyed doing my part to help make it grow every year. I look forward to seeing you out at the Las Vegas Celtic Gathering and Highland Games! |
Woody Gordon
Secretary
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Woody Gordon relocated to Las Vegas in 1997 from the U.S. Virgin Islands, where he taught Middle School English until the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo compelled him to turn his hand to the construction industry. He specialized in new and retrofit electrical and plumbing and eventually he owned and operated an electrical and plumbing repair business. For the last 11 years he’s been with Signature Homes as their Customer Service and QA Manager. He is currently completing the final requirements to become a state certified residential inspector and beginning in early 2010 he will own and operate Bsure Inspection Services.
Woody has been involved in the Scottish community in California and Nevada for nearly 10 years and serves on the Board of Directors of the House of Gordon, Southwest, as Vice Convener and Regional Director of Nevada. He also produces their quarterly newsletter. In addition, Woody has volunteered as the Las Vegas Celtic Society Clan coordinator for the last 4 years, and has proudly introduced the Clans during the opening ceremonies.
Woody is married to Lynne Gordon and they have two grown sons. Their younger son, Sean, was recently appointed Convener for the House of Gordon Colorado.
As the new Secretary of the Las Vegas Celtic Society, Woody is very excited about the Executive Board’s vision for the future of the Las Vegas Celtic Gathering and Highland Games and looks forward to bringing Scottish culture and excitement to the Las Vegas community.
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Tori Bullock
Treasurer
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Tori Bullock is the Treasurer of the Las Vegas Celtic Society. She grew up in Las Vegas and graduated from Rancho High School and UNLV. She is the owner/managing member of Bullock & Cheshire Real Estate Valuations and Consulting, a commercial real estate appraisal firm located in Green Valley.
Tori's association with the Las Vegas Highland Games and Celtic Gathering began with the 2004 games when she and her husband, Angus MacEachern (MacDonald of the Isles Clan), began volunteering for the games by organizing volunteers and running the admissions gate.
Their son, Joshua MacEachern, is a bagpiper with Las Vegas' own Desert Skye Pipes and Drums and competed in Highland Games all over the Western United States as a Grade IV piper in 2006, moving up to Grade III for the 2007 season. Her other son, Christopher Bullock, is a college student. Tori is looking forward to the 2007 Games and making the Las Vegas event one of the best in the Southwest.
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Senator Dennis Nolan
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
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Senator Nolan is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Las Vegas Celtic Society. During the inaugural 2005 Las Vegas Celtic Gathering & Highland Games, the Senator presided as Chief of the Games. In his capacity as a State Senator serving one of the largest districts in Southern Nevada, he is the Assistant Senate Majority Leader & Chairman of the State’s Transportation and Homeland Security Committee.
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 The mission of the Las Vegas Celtic Society is to support and promote:
- Family - Clan - Community - all things Celtic.
- Celebrating our rich Celtic heritage.
- Insuring the culture and history of our ancestors is passed on to
our children and future generations.
- An appreciation for the diverse traditions and beauty of the birthplace
of our ancestors.
- Keeping alive the spirit of the Highland Games and Celtic Gathering.
- Celebrating life and having fun.
The Las Vegas Celtic Society has undertaken the task of producing a
tradition of Highland Games events in Southern Nevada that have a true
Celtic feeling and embrace the Celtic culture and society. The vision
is to host a Games event that has the extra flair that Las Vegas is known
for and to bring the Celtic culture to the Las Vegas community through
demonstration and education. Beginning with the 2005 Games event, in
conjunction with the Las Vegas Centennial Celebration, the Las Vegas
Celtic Society turned that vision into a reality. We expect this tradition
of outstanding competitions and exciting entertainment will continue
long into the next century.
The goal of the Las Vegas Celtic Society is to establish a Highland
Games event that will continue long into the future in Las Vegas. And,
through this event, promote the Celtic culture to Las Vegas residents
and visitors. To have a legacy of a first-class event that brings dignity
and respect to the Las Vegas Celtic Community.
An undertaking such as this needs your support, ideas, and volunteers
to make it happen. Please contact us if you want to join the fun and
be a part of this exciting endeavor. We appreciate your suggestions and
invite your participation no matter how great or small! |
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