Board of Directors

Mary Delk is retired from a career that included serving as president of Belk Department Stores from 2002-2006 and as a partner with Deloitte Consulting from 2007-2016. She earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College and holds an M.A. from the University of Chicago.

Mary has served on the strategic planning committee and task force on affordable housing at Covenant Presbyterian Church and as an Elder on Session. She has also been on the board of directors for the Ruth & Paul Manz Organ Scholarship, offered through the Lutheran School of Theology. Mary brings a love of choral music excellence and an experienced perspective to the Charlotte Master Chorale board of directors.

Favorite choral work: J. S. Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio” and “Considering Matthew Shepard” by Craig Hella Johnson

Favorite composer: Bach

Caitlin Whalan Jones is director of the Education Law Program at Council for Children’s Rights, a position that leads her to approach everything she does with a lens of racial equity and inclusion. Caitlin earned a Bachelor of Arts in music and communications studies from Furman University and her Juris Doctor from the William & Mary Law School and was heavily involved in choral music throughout her education as a member of the Furman Singers, Furman Chamber Choir and the William & Mary Botetourt Chamber Singers.

Caitlin is a strong believer in the importance of community-centered arts organizations and the shared experience of choral singing, which provides people with the opportunities to communicate powerful stories of humanity. A current member of the Charlotte Master Chorale (CMC) and CMC Chamber Singers since 2016, Caitlin services on the finance committee for the organization. She has also served as a choir section leader at Covenant Presbyterian Church and is currently a staff singer at Christ Episcopal Church. Her music involvement in the Charlotte region also includes Bach Akademie Charlotte, where she sang a member of the Cantata Choir.

Favorite choral works:
 “Requiem in D minor” by Gabriel Faure
, Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust, BWV 170 by J.S. Bach

Jesse M. “Jay” Tillman, III is deputy commissioner of the North Carolina Industrial Commission with 18 years of experience in civil litigation private practice. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a juris doctor from Campbell University. Jay is a retired Captain from the United States Navy (Reserve Component) and flew EA-6B Prowlers in Operation Desert Shield and in post-Desert Storm operations. As a reservist he was activated for Operations Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Inherent Resolve and others in the Middle East and South America.

Jay has an extensive musical background that began with his time as a choirboy in the Durham Boys Choir and the North Carolina Boys Choir. This extended to his college days as a member of the Clef Hangers at Chapel Hill and the Naval Air Training Command Choir and the Turbotones while in the U.S. Navy. He has served as president of the Charlotte Symphony Chorus and a director of Bach Akademie Charlotte and the North Carolina Boys Choir. Jay currently sings tenor in the Charlotte Master Chorale and serves as Vice President of the Charlotte Master Chorale Board of Directors.

Favorite choral work: Handel’s “Messiah”

Favorite composer: Bach

Tanja Bechtler is the artistic director and founder of the Bechtler Ensemble, which can be heard at museums, colleges and concert halls across the Charlotte region. Tanja is also currently an adjunct instructor at Queens University, Gardner-Webb University, and Central Piedmont Community College.

A native of Switzerland, Tanja earned scholarships to the North Carolina School of the Arts for a bachelor’s degree in music and to the Manhattan School of Music for a master’s degree in Music Performance. She was awarded the “Woman of Achievement” by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, which recognizes women for their significant contributions to the state of North Carolina.

For twelve years Tanja served as a member of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, where she participated in many educational residencies throughout the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System. Tanja is an active participant of the Practice HORA, which allowed her to continue her profession as a cellist, pursue her dream as a chamber musician, and work as an educator. She dedicates all her concerts to the HORA Trance Sport Youth movement.

Tanja has taken part in documentary films including “Robert Shaw- Man of Many Voices,” “Double Take: The Art of Elizabeth King” and “Following in the Footsteps of Elie Wiesel,” which was composed and recorded by Fred Story. Her CDs include “Shadegrown by Bob and Tanja,” “Passage,” as well as “Reflections on the Firebird” which features North Carolina based composers.

Frank Dominguez is a recognizable voice in the Charlotte area, serving as general manager and content director for WDAV Classical Public Radio. Frank earned a bachelor of fine arts in theater from Adelphi University and a M.A. and M.F.A. in drama & communications from the University of New Orleans.

In addition to managing WDAV for the past seven years, Frank was also director of development and marketing for Community School of the Arts and has worked as a director and performer for a number of local, not-for-profit and community theaters. Frank brings an awareness and knowledge of classical music listeners to the Charlotte Master Chorale and looks forward to helping the organization make a smooth and successful transition to its new status.

Favorite choral work or other piece of music: “The Sea Symphony” by Ralph Vaughan Williams (choral/orchestral), and Ravel’s “Daphnis and Chloe” Suite No. 2

Favorite composer: Ravel or Vivaldi

Stephen Douglas Jr. is managing director, retail and consumer products at Deloitte. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Ohio State University.

Stephen has served on the Ohio State University Arts & Sciences Alumni Society Board. He was also fundraising leader for the ArtsWave Cincinnati and Community Volunteer Leader for Cincinnati, both as a representative for Deloitte. As a regular attendee of performances at Belk Theater at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, Stephen is excited to become more involved in the community with his Charlotte Master Chorale board position. He believes that arts play an essential role in bringing people together and fostering creativity and he looks forward to challenging the status quo and providing an outside perspective on fundraising and market expansion.

Favorite choral work: “Now We Are Free” by Lisa Gerrard & Hans Zimmer

Favorite composers: Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Hans Zimmer

David G. Jacobs, MD is a trauma and acute-care surgeon, and the Vice-Chair of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the Department of Surgery at Atrium Health-Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. He also serves as the Medical Director of Atrium’s Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program. He completed his medical education in New York City (Weill-Cornell Medical College), and his surgical training in Philadelphia (Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania), and in Cleveland (Case Western Reserve University Affiliated Hospitals). He also completed a research fellowship in Pediatric Surgery in Toronto (Sick Children’s Hospital), and a Trauma Surgery/Surgical Critical Care fellowship in Baltimore (Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems-MIEMSS). Dr. Jacobs’ current responsibilities include teaching, research, patient care, and way too many administrative tasks. Closely related to his career as a trauma surgeon is his interest in violence prevention, reflecting his belief that today’s surgeons must also address the ethical, social and political issues that so greatly affect the overall health and well-being of the patients for whom they provide care.

Paul B. Michelle, III is the senior vice president of marketing for Universal Media, Inc. one of the largest independent media buying agencies in the country. Prior to his current position he worked as senior vice president marketing & advertising for Belk Department Stores and held senior marketing roles for two other retail companies before joining Belk.

Paul earned a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from the University of Virginia and a Master of Business Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Paul has served on several church governing boards over the years. As someone with a great appreciation of all forms of music, he looks forward to working with the Charlotte Master Chorale to draw on its long-storied history to broaden its audience within the larger community.

H. Stacy Nicholson is the president, Atrium Health Levine Children’s and Chair of Pediatrics, Carolinas Medical Center. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics form Furman University, where he also become involved in music as a member of the Furman Singers. Stacy later earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia and a master’s degree in public health from George Washington University.

Stacy currently serves on the board of directors for the American Board of Pediatrics and for Pat’s Place, a child advocacy center for Mecklenburg County. An avid cyclist who is passionate about his family and his work, Stacy currently sings baritone in the Myers Park United Methodist Church Chancel Choir. Stacy has agreed to serve as President of the Charlotte Master Chorale Board of Directors.

Favorite choral work: “If Ye Love Me” Thomas Tallis

Favorite composer: Bach

Jeff Simpson currently works at Deloitte Consulting. He earned his Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Tennessee. A current member of the Gaston Day School Board of Trustees, Jeff is a lifelong fan of live music of all genres. He looks forward to bringing his experience in the business world and all its challenges and successes to the Charlotte Master Chorale Board of Directors as the organization continues its successful history of choral music excellence in the Charlotte region.

When Jeff isn’t working, he can be found working with horses on his farm and spending time with his family.

Robert Sticker is a former journalist and communications professional who spent his career in corporate communications roles at Barnett Banks, Inc. and NationsBank, later Bank of America. Robert also served as CEO of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra from 2012-2016. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism from Northwestern University.

Robert's past board experience includes the former Oratorio Singers of Charlotte, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and the Charlotte Museum of History. Robert brings great experience with symphony and chorus management to the Charlotte Master Chorale board of directors.

Favorite choral work or other piece of music: Symphony No. 2 by Sibelius, Handel’s “Messiah”

Favorite composer Beethoven