Name: Mary Hannah & Luke Wheeler
Company: Franklin County Public Schools / Truck Enterprises
Title: Teacher - Theatre Arts and Choir / New Truck Salesperson
Goal: $3,000
Why We are Participating:
Luke is a 32 year old from Franklin County, VA. Aside from his 8 year stint in Fayetteville, NC (his self assigned “home away from home”) for college and career beginnings, Franklin County is where he still resides today with his wife Mary Hannah and their golden retriever, Mick.
After attending Methodist University and receiving a business management degree as well as a Class A membership to the PGA of America, Luke began his career in the golf/hospitality industry. After shifting away from the golf industry as a career and making it a part time hobby. Luke focused his career on sales and in 2014 he found his way to the commercial equipment industry. He was hired by Truck Enterprises Inc. (a Kenworth truck dealer) and began his career at their Harrisonburg, VA location. After less than a year in Harrisonburg he was relocated to the Roanoke, VA office where he still works today. In 2021 he finished as the highest grossing sales person for all 8 of TEI’s locations.
In 2019 he married Mary Hannah Garber and they settled in the Moneta/Waterfront area of Smith Mountain Lake. They are active members of the community and enjoy spending their time traveling, watching live music, boating, and playing golf at The Waterfront CC.
Mary Hannah, 29 primarily the Theatre Arts and Choir teacher at Franklin County High School, is also an adjunct dance professor at Ferrum College. She is a native of Franklin County, VA, an alumni of FCHS and a 2014 graduate of Virginia Intermont College with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre. She previously worked as a Company Member and Choreographer at Virginia Children's Theatre. After college Mary Hannah lived out her dream in New York City and returned home to the Roanoke Valley in 2017. In 2018 she worked as the Assistant Director and Choreographer for Busch Gardens Williamsburg alongside Lisa Shriver (a Broadway credited Director/Choreographer). She also enjoys being a performer herself on the musical theatre stage. Most recent roles include; Val in A Chorus Line & Dianne in 42nd Street (MMT), & Connie in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (RCT). Mary Hannah is always excited to share her passion for education, dance, and theatre with others!
Luke and Mary Hannah both have ties to the Roanoke Valley through business contacts, Luke’s long term love of golf, family, and Mary Hannah’s outgoing career/endeavors (a place Luke always supports from “behind the curtain”).
Luke’s mother (Melanie Wheeler) is a survivor of stage 3 breast cancer and his grandmother (Bevelene Flowers) passed away from cancer in July 2017. Mary Hannah’s grandmother (Doris Scruggs) was also a survivor of breast cancer before passing away in January 2013. A long time supporter of the Susan G. Komen chapter in Roanoke, VA, Luke and Mary Hannah plan to support Sole Stars and their cause with a pledge to raise a combined $3,000.