presented by
Honoring John Dobbs Jr.
Tommie and Billy Dunavant
Honorary Chairs
Trow Gillespie and Chuck Smith
Co-Chairs
2018 Honoree - John Hull Dobbs, Jr.
John Hull Dobbs, Jr. is the founder and President of Dobbs Equity Partners, LLC. John has been involved in business since he was 12 years old and working in his family´s automobile dealerships. At 17, he was the top car salesman at the dealership he was working in. He has worked in all the Dobbs businesses at one time or another in various capacities, which gives him varied experience across a range of industries.
John is a lifelong Memphian. He and his wife, Katherine, have three children: John, Stewart, and Hope. He attended Presbyterian Day School and Memphis University School. John also attended Duke University and received his MBA from the University of North Carolina.
John has a passion for flying and is an avid waterfowl sportsman and outdoor enthusiast. He is a supporter of countless worthwhile causes, including ArtsMemphis and Ducks Unlimited.
About Conservation Through Art
Conservation Through Art (CTA) is a biennial event, co-hosted by ArtsMemphis and Ducks Unlimited, which raises money for two of our region’s greatest assets: wildlife and the arts. Founded in 2005, CTA brings together arts patrons and wildlife enthusiasts in creating a collective philanthropic legacy. In fact, over the last thirteen years, this partnership has raised $6 million – helping to conserve thousands of acres of wetlands and provide grants for 80 local arts groups and artists.
These two unlikely partners – ArtsMemphis and Ducks Unlimited – share a commitment to sustaining treasures which enrich lives from generation to generation. Whether it’s an awe-inspiring dance performance or a spectacular sunrise on the marsh, the arts and the outdoors serve to connect us to one another.
Past Honorees
2005: Harry Phillips
2006: Billy Dunavant
2008: Allen Morgan & Henry Morgan
2010: George Dunklin & Steve Reynolds
2012: Trow Gillespie & Chuck Smith
2014: Spence, Bob & Kem Wilson
2016: Johnny Morris & Bill Rhodes
Founders & Advisory Council
Tommie & Billy Dunavant
Elizabeth & Trow Gillespie
Snow & Henry Morgan
Susan & Chuck Smith
Anne & John Stokes
About the Beneficiaries
Founded in 1963, ArtsMemphis works to sustain Memphis’ world-renowned cultural vitality and strengthen local communities through the arts. ArtsMemphis achieves that mission by amplifying awareness, driving support, and forging connections for artists and organizations. In 2018, ArtsMemphis awarded nearly $2.4 million in grants to 66 different organizations and eight individual artists through 160 grants. These grantees provided over 2.5 million art experiences in Shelby County, including 700,000 for youth. The arts enhance the quality of life for Shelby County residents, and they are a key driver for our local economy – generating nearly $200 million in annual spending, and employing the equivalent of more than 6,000 full- time jobs.
Ducks Unlimited is recognized as one of North America’s largest and most effective conservation organizations. Our conservation efforts have conserved over 14 million acres of critical waterfowl habitat since our founding in 1937. We are most proud that our founders were duck hunters and the majority of our 744,000 members and our 54,000 volunteers are active hunters. Our conservation efforts are guided by science and the impact of our work has significant benefit to water and people.