Music in the Air
Playing golf in Scotland was on C.A. Howlett’s bucket list.
When he retired in spring 2011 from US Airways as senior vice president of public affairs, that’s the first thing he checked off his list. He and his wife, Nan, traveled with their good friends Sandy and Mike Hecomovich to the birthplace of golf and played at the Renaissance Club, right next to Muirfield Golf Course, which has hosted the British Open 15 times.
Mike Hecomovich and C.A. with their caddy at The Renaissance Club in Ireland
They intend to return next year to play some of the courses that require more advance planning, such as the St. Andrews Courses, Muirfield, Kingsbarns and Troon. Though golf’s not her favorite, Nan says visiting Scotland and sharing it with friends made the trip a wonderful experience.
Nan and C.A. were married in December 2003 at the Vail chapel, with the reception at the Valley Golf Club at Cordillera, where they now own a winter home. They have melded two quite different backgrounds. A Scottsdale native, she’s all Francophile, having lived and worked out of Paris for 19 years, starting when she was fresh out of University of Southern California. He loves Colorado, where he was born, grew up and attended the University of Colorado at Boulder (CU-Boulder).
Alexandria, then 13, with C.A. at a CU game
C.A. has converted Nan from her Trojan alma mater to his obsession with CU football. They have CU blankets, CU hats, CU statues, CU mugs and more. They don’t miss a home football game, and probably Nan’s daughter, Alexandria, won’t miss any this year either. As a CU freshman, she’s now a full-fledged Buffalo.
The Buffs’ “work hard, play hard” mantra seems to be the Howlett mantra as well. Nan and C.A. live life with zest, whether pulling for the Buffaloes, skiing in Vail or lending a hand in the community.
Linda Pope, Nan Howlett and Chris Gustafson at the 2010 symphony gala
Nan has served on committees from the Heart Ball (which she chaired in 2008) to the Sandra Day O’Connor Luncheon (which she chaired in spring 2011). She is in her second year as chair of The Concert and the Encore, a second-year event that supports the Phoenix Symphony.
At US Airways, C.A. was a huge proponent of giving back to the Valley, the “hometown” that has supported it. As a good corporate citizen, US Airways has been prolific in giving air travel for silent auctions and more. The airline supports the arts in U.S. cities where it has a hub.
C.A. has served as president of the Phoenix Theatre board, and he is now in his third term as president of the Phoenix Symphony board. “He had a little sway in asking me to chair the event,” Nan laughs.
Nan and C.A. are committed to the performing arts. Both enjoy music (C.A. played a mean clarinet at Pueblo High School in Colorado), and both understand the economic importance and quality-of-life significance of the performing arts in a community.
“We love the symphony,” Nan says. “Phoenix needs a rich, vibrant performing arts community.”
The Howletts have modeled The Concert and the Encore after the orchestra gala in Philadelphia, another US Airways hub. The Philly event is white coat and tails. Theirs is so big, Nan says, that they fill a series of ballrooms. The party has six bands and lasts from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Nan and C.A. Howlett chaired the inaugural The Concert and the Encore in 2010.
The inaugural year for the Phoenix gala drew 700 guests to enjoy the diva of disco, Donna Summer, and the evening netted $400,000 for the symphony.
This year, guest musician Kenny Rogers will apply his smooth vocals to fan favorites such as “Through the Years” and “Lady.” Guests will enjoy cocktails, followed by a concert (45 minutes of light music by the symphony and 45 minutes of Kenny Rogers).
After the concert, guests will walk the red carpet between Symphony Hall and the Phoenix Convention Center for dinner, prepared by Aventura Catering and served at tables designed by William McArdle, Avant-Garde. And then they’ll dance.
“We are mindful of providing a full evening of entertainment for out guests,” Nan says. “And if they want to party until 3 a.m., bring it on!”
Major sponsors for the evening include Jeanne and Gary Herberger and US Airways.