Board of Trustees

RYAN A. KRAUSE, Ph.D.

CHAIR

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BARBARA JORDAN 

CO VICE CHAIR

TREASURER

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NICOLETTE DUVALL

CO VICE CHAIR

SECRETARY

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JILL FISCHER

CHAIR EMERITA

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LEE B. FREESE

EMERITUS TRUSTEES

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KEON ANDERSON, DDS

DAVID G. BUCHER

NELSON E. CLAYTOR, Ph.D.

JOHN FORESTNER MD

JENNIFER GOLDBERG

ROBERT L. JAMESON

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ASHLEY LACAMP

JOSEPH D. LESLEY

BOND MALONE

GUY V. MANNING

MIKE R. MARTINEZ

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MARY B. PENCIS

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KATHERINE POLENZ

VERNON E. REW, JR.

EBONY ROSE

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HAYNE SHUMATE

It is with deep sorrow and profound regret, that we announce the passing of our close friend, longtime opera lover, and philanthropic Fort Worth leader Ed Schollmaier, on Thursday morning, September 16. 

Former CEO and President of Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Mr. Schollmaier, and his late wife Rae were ardent proponents of the arts and athletics here in North Texas. In September of 1995, as Fort Worth Opera celebrated its historic fiftieth anniversary season, the couple generously established the Schollmaier Endowment Fund. This gift continues to resonate with our company over twenty-five years later. Beloved within the city and beyond, he is widely respected as the lead donor of Texas Christian University's $72 million renovation of the basketball facilities, now known as the Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena. 

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Mr. Schollmaier received his undergraduate degree from the University of Cincinnati. There, he met his future wife, Rae, before heading to Boston to attend the Harvard Business School, where he earned his MBA and met one of Alcon's founders, Bob Alexander. Fort Worth eventually became his long-term home, and he led Alcon as its CEO for 25 years.

During his lifetime, he received numerous awards and recognitions, including the 2015 Golden Deeds Award from the Exchange Club of Fort Worth, a Distinguished Service Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and an Honorary Doctorate of Science from Texas Wesleyan University. He was also presented with the Honorary Alumnus Award, the Horizon Award, and the Royal Purple Award by TCU.

Mr. Schollmaier served as a longtime patron and trustee of Fort Worth Opera for several decades and was a tireless champion of the company's long-term growth and well-being. He understood the immense power of opera and the arts to enrich all of our lives, and that passion will continue to resonate throughout this community for decades to come.

Fort Worth Opera extends its heartfelt condolences to Mr. Schollmaier's family and his loved ones. He made a tremendous impact here in Fort Worth, and as we celebrate our 75th anniversary season this year, we also celebrate the life and legacy of this great man.

It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that we announce that our dear friend, lifelong opera lover, angel investor, and Fort Worth Opera Emeritus Trustee, Louise B. Carvey, passed away on Sunday, January 31, 2021

Mrs. Carvey married her husband Frank Carvey in 1944 in New York City at the Little Church Around the Corner and moved to Fort Worth shortly thereafter, where he managed the restaurant and concessions for the city's Texas and Pacific Station. Upon joining First United Methodist Church, Mrs. Carvey met FWO founder Betty Berry Spain. She became a member of the Fort Worth Opera Chorus for a few years after its inception. For over seven decades, Mrs. Carvey never left the FWO family and continued to share her passion for classical music with her children, taking them to see seasonal performances. She gave back to her community each year as a proud member of the Fort Worth Opera Board of Trustees and the Foundation Board's first chair for United Community Centers. 

Growing up as a cowgirl on a ranch in the Panhandle of Texas, herding cattle was a passion of Mrs. Carvey. Still, music played a prominent role in her life from an early age, and her mother would gather the family around the piano each evening and play for them as they sang together. She minored in voice performance, majored in speech and drama at Southwestern University, and studied with TCU voice professor, Mr. Arthur Faguy-Cote. Fort Worth Opera, United Community Centers Foundation, Inc., and enriching children's lives were all things she cared deeply about throughout her life here in Fort Worth. 

We extend our deepest condolences to Mrs. Carvey’s family and her loved ones. She will truly be missed by us all.