The Glimmerglass Festival has appointed Robert Nelson and Van Groughton Ramsey as the company’s new honorary life Trustees and board members.

Nelson, a former real estate developer and Vice President and CFO of Michael Novarese, Inc., served as the Chair of the Festival’s Board of Trustees from 2019-2023. Ramsey is Nelson’s spouse and an Emmy Award-winning Costume Designer.

“Robert and Van are pillars of the Cooperstown community and figureheads of the Glimmerglass family; all who meet them are impressed by their warmth and hospitality,” said Rob Ainsley, Artistic & General Director of the Festival, per an official press release. “Their selfless generosity and advocacy touches so many organizations and causes in the area, but Glimmerglass has been by far the luckiest recipient of their passion, dedication, and expertise. My personal gratitude to Robert for his role in bringing me to this great company and community is equaled only by the gratitude of our staff and Trustees for his years of leadership.”

The organization also welcomed two new Trustees, Georg O. Budenbender, retired President and CEO of E.ON North America, Inc., and Tim Lord, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of DreamYard Project.