Mark your calendars for the weekend of September 8-10. That’s the 2023 date for the Pirates of Lanier Poker Run on Lake Lanier. Organized by Lanier Partners, the event is moving to September. It will still be headquartered at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands.
“This year we’re revamping the event and changing it up a bit,” said Sheridan Renfroe Bazemore, the group’s new president. “It’s our hope to host the Poker Run every year on the weekend closest to 9-11, like we originally did 14 years ago, and to add more excitement for the weekend.”
The organization is updating its website – lanierpartners.org – and plans to open registration by mid-March. The schedule of events and other information will be posted on the website.
New board and officers
President Sheridan Renfroe Bazemore, an Atlanta native, has lived on Lake Lanier for nearly a decade. She and her husband Augie started a transport shipping container business five years ago. They enjoy powerboating and have attended poker runs across the country. She does extensive volunteer work in Buford and in Atlanta. She’s been in real estate sales for the past 22 years.
Vice President Dan Jape, former owner/CEO of Reliable Heating and Air is a former president and board member of Lanier Partners. For several years, Reliable Heating and Air was the presenting sponsor of the Pirates of Lanier Poker Run. He and his wife Kim live on Lanier and travel frequently to the Bahamas and around the world. Jape has been involved in many children’s charities.
Treasurer Dan Gordon is a founding board member of Lanier Partners when it was founded 14 years ago. He owns Gordon Security Systems in Buford and is active with the Shriners’ Yaarab Temple in Atlanta.
Secretary Brenda Musone joined the board in 2017 as Chief Financial Officer. A successful marketing events manager and community volunteer she handles event registration for the poker run and manages the event’s volunteers. She lives on the lake in Buford.
Ronnie Gordon has been involved in Lanier Partners since its inception. From designing apps, volunteering and videographer/photographer, he is a Camp Sunshine alumnus and continues to volunteer with that organization, one of the recipient organizations of donations raised by the poker run each year.
Freddy Fonzo was one of the original participants in the poker run; he also provided food for the inaugural events. He is co-founder and managing partner of Southern Realm; he also spent several years in restaurant operations with Zoes Kitchen and Macaroni Grill. He lives on the lake as well.
Rob Davidson has been a long-time volunteer with the poker run. He has used his 35-plus years as a manufacturer’s rep in the sporting goods industry, most recently as a principal with Blaze Sales Group, to build a strong foundation for Lanier Partners. He lives in Pendergrass.
Bruce Longmore joined the board in 2012. He and his wife Donna own Lenny’s Grill & Subs in Cumming. His community work includes serving on the board of the Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Lanier and Leadership Forsyth. He lives on the lake as well.
“Bucky” Perry, vice president of operations for Margaritaville at Lake Lanier, is new to the Lanier Partners’ board in 2023. Ever since the poker run’s beginnings, he has worked closely with the board during the 3-day event. At Margaritaville, he oversees all operations, including restaurants and bars, seasonal activities, Port of Indecision Marina and Camp Margaritaville RV Resort.
For more information, visit www.lanierpartners.org.
Photo: courtesy Lanier Partners