October 4, 2013 In Uncategorized By Richard J. Alley

Mann takes on development role at Shelby Farms Park Conservancy

Memphis Standout profile for The Memphis Daily News

Oct. 4, 2013

Cameron Mann has traded in an office of brick and glass for one of trees and meadow.

Perhaps not literally, but his new position as development manager for corporate and foundation support for Shelby Farms Park Conservancy promises to be more pastoral than musical, as his previous work with the Memphis Music Foundation proved to be.

In his new role, Mann will be focused on corporate and foundation support both regionally and nationally, working to raise the $2 million it takes every year to run the 4,500-acre park, one of the largest urban parks in the country. He comes in at a time when the conservancy is still in phase one of an ambitious 20-plus-year master plan to increase access and broaden usage, and as concerns over a proposed roadway through the park has emotions running high.

“It’s exciting and I’m looking forward to the challenge of it,” Mann said. He also gives credit to executive director Laura Adams, director of strategic operations Linda Brashear and director of development and communications Jen Andrews, as well as the rangers, who have done so much to put the master plan in motion. “A lot of amazing work has already been done, but certainly this is just kind of the beginning of the journey.”

Mann was born in New York City and moved in 1982 with his family to Memphis at age 5. He attended Memphis University School and then headed south for New Orleans and Tulane University, where he majored in American studies with minors in philosophy and communications. He graduated in 2000 and spent a year in London, working in international wholesale marketing for WorldCom.

In 2001, Mann’s father, Don, was starting up Young Avenue Sound, a recording studio in the Cooper-Young neighborhood that also housed the new label Memphis Records. He came home to work with his father and stayed on for seven years. It gave him the opportunity to work with the music and the music community, a longtime passion for one half of the band Lord T & Eloise . . . (read more)