Officer Profiles

PRESIDENT

Peter Graves, considered one of the best and most nationally known bandleaders in south Florida, started his professional career playing on the Jackie Gleason TV series from 1967-1969. He then moved on to lead his own orchestra at Joe Namath’s Bachelor III in Ft. Lauderdale for a five year engagement with Mel Torme and others. In 1976, the Peter Graves Orchestra moved to the Sunrise Musical Theatre for an unlimited run with such notable performers as Frank Sinatra, with whom they worked for 20 years, including at 3 SuperBowl appearances.


Graves is the founder/leader of the Atlantean Driftwood Band, an award-winning 14-piece contemporary jazz band, and Graves also conducts his own 40-piece pops orchestra. He has toured and recorded with the Bee Gees, receiving 6 platinum albums and numerous platinum and gold singles. He also received a platinum album for his arranging and performing on Barbara Streisand’s album "Guilty."

VICE-PRESIDENT

Lisa Fox has lived in south Florida since 1979. An active vocalist as well as a licensed Realtor and property manager, she has performed with Big Bands, Top 40 bands, and has done movie and jingle work. She is formerly from Connecticut, where she was a part of a show band and also worked part-time for Local 400.

Lisa began working part-time for Local 655 this past summer, first as a member of the Wage Scale committee, then soliciting advertising for our Membership Directory and Newsletters, and finally as MPTF chairperson. As Vice President, she will also be representative for the Recording Industry.

"I’m enthusiastic about being a part of the new Local and am looking forward to a great year! As MPTF chairperson, I would like to see more bands involved in the program and would like to cultivate many new co-sponsors for the coming years."

TREASURER

Jeffrey Apana, an active oboist and English hornist, has been in south Florida since 1993, where he has played for the Florida Philharmonic, the Boca Pops, Miami Chamber Symphony, and Palm Beach Opera, to name a few. He also teaches oboe at Palm Beach Atlantic College.

For almost a year now he has been doing odd jobs for the Local as assistant to Trustee Richard Gabriel. Some of his ongoing projects have been: upgrading the computer system, setting up the computer network, publishing the newsletter, and creating the MPTF and Referral Program databases.

"I dropped in one day, was impressed by what Dick Gabriel wanted to do and was drawn by the opportunity to build the Local into something that can really make a difference, and haven’t been able to leave since!"
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