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

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

Steven B. Martin currently serves as a Vice President in the Quality Division at Atrium Health. In this role, Steven has responsibility for several functions, to include Accreditation Services, Laboratory Quality, Medical Staff Services, and Policy Management. He currently serves on various Atrium Health committees, to include the Medical Group Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Most recently, Steven led an initiative that achieved the top national quality prize from the American Hospital Association. This (currently embargoed) prestigious recognition will be announced in late July 2019 for an Atrium Health facility.

In addition to Steven’s role with Atrium Health, Steven served as a surveyor in the Hospital program with The Joint Commission from 2009 – July 2016. Steven maintains professional certifications to include being a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality and is also a Fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Steven received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina; and a Master of Health Administration from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina.

In his free time, Steven performs with local theatre companies in the greater Charlotte market. Since moving to Charlotte in 1999, he has logged thousands of volunteer hours after being involved with over 35 productions, representing six different theatre organizations.

Steven lives in Plaza Midwood with his husband, Barry Nance, and their Irish Doodle (Darby).

Robert Moody is currently the music director of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and music director of the Arizona Musicfest. His career has also included an 11-year tenure as music director for the Portland (Maine) Symphony and 13-year tenure as music director of the Winston-Salem Symphony (N.C.). Recent and upcoming debuts include the Des Moines Metro Opera, Opera Carolina, Vienna (Austria) Chamber Orchestra, Columbus Symphony, Brevard Music Center Opera, and Sewanee Music Festival.

Robert makes his debut with the Cape Town Symphony (South Africa) in 2019, and with the Aachen (Germany) Philharmonic, and the Orquestra Filharmónica Bogotá (Colombia) in 2020. Robert received his undergraduate degree from Furman University and went on to earn his master’s degree from the Eastman School of Music. Robert has previously served on the board of directors for the Winston-Salem YMCA and the Winston-Salem AIDS Care Services. He is a current member of the board of directors for WDAV Classical Public Radio.

Favorite choral work: “Dona Nobis Pacem” by Ralph Vaughn Williams
Favorite composer: Whatever composer he is conducting at the moment!

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

Julia J. Souther has been involved in choral music in Charlotte for many years as a singer in both the Charlotte Symphony Chorus and Opera Carolina. She is the business development manager, durables for Avery Dennison and a patent holder. She earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Julia’s previous community experience includes the board of directors for the Metropolitan Music Ministries and a volunteer for the American Heart Association. She has also served as chorus representative on the board for the former Oratorio Singers of Charlotte and as secretary on the Charlotte Symphony Chorus board of directors. Julia sings soprano in the Charlotte Master Chorale and serves as secretary of the Charlotte Master Chorale Board of Directors.

Favorite choral work or other piece of music: “Carmina Burana” by Carl Orff and Samuel Barber’s “Adagio for Strings”

Favorite composer?: Bach

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

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

Thomas Verghese runs his own omni-channel marketing consultancy business, the Verghese Response, and has worked with each of Australia’s top five banking groups. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Madras University in India and has led marketing teams within major financial services firms including Citicorp, Westpac and Capita, where he was responsible for promoting the company’s fine arts sponsorship.

Thomas's career then led him to become a leading practitioner in establishing and running omni-channel, direct-to-consumer businesses for global financial services brands in Australia, New Zealand and Asia. A self-proclaimed optimist with a passion for friends, family, wine and life itself, Thomas looks forward to contributing to the establishment of the Charlotte Master Chorale.

Favorite choral work: Procol Harum performing “A Whiter Shade of Pale” with the Danish National Concert Orchestra and choir at Ledreborg Castle, Denmark in August 2006