September 19, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, Ore. … Duane McDougall, the former President of Willamette Industries, has agreed to serve as the Oregon Symphony’s Interim President while a search is conducted to name a permanent successor to Tony Woodcock, said Jack Wilborn, the Symphony’s Immediate Past Board Chair and Chair of the President Search Committee. Woodcock leaves the Symphony Sept. 26 to become President of the Minnesota Orchestra.
“We are absolutely delighted that an individual with Duane’s stature and achievements has stepped forward,” said Wilborn. “He not only knows the community but has great credibility in the community. And his leadership style is exactly what we need for the interim position. The members of the President Search Committee, which include donor, board, orchestra and staff representatives, unanimously selected him as the best choice to guide us through this leadership transition.”
McDougall, who just completed his first year of service on the Symphony’s Board of Directors, was confirmed as Interim President at the Symphony’ Annual Meeting Friday. His appointment was approved by the Symphony’s Board of Directors following the meeting.
“We are very lucky to be able to get someone of Duane’s caliber to lead us during this interim period,” said Board Chair Susan D. Keil. “It’s fortunate that he could adjust his other commitments to be able to do this.”
“The Symphony is a great organization, one of the cornerstones of Oregon’s cultural community,” said McDougall, “and I look forward to the opportunity to assist in this important leadership transition. There is so much excitement surrounding Music Director Carlos Kalmar’s inaugural season,” he said, “and I am committed to working with Carlos, the musicians and the staff to keep that momentum strong.”
McDougall’s Willamette Industries career spanned 23 years, during which time he served in various operating and finance capacities. His tenure as President and CEO began in 1998 and lasted until the Fortune 400 company’s hostile takeover in 2002. McDougall also serves on the boards of West Coast Bancorp, Cascade Corp., Greenbrier Companies and InFocus. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from Oregon State University and has attended executive programs at Stanford and the University of Virginia. McDougall is a native Oregonian and an avid golfer. He and his wife of 28 years, Barbara, have three children.
