Contact: Allison Griffin
Public Relations Associate
503-416-6347
September 22, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, Ore. … Eight business and community leaders were elected to the Oregon Symphony Association Board of Directors at today’s annual meeting at the Portland Center for the Performing Arts. The new board members are Connie Clark, Carol Gardner, Richard Keller II, Denise Lilley, Ron Parker, David Squire, Linda Sweitzer and Michelle Sweet.
“The quality of board members an organization attracts is unquestionably one mark of its measure in the community,” said Interim President Jerry Hulsman. “Each of these individuals brings a unique wealth of knowledge and experience that reflects the community’s excitement for the Oregon Symphony under the leadership of Music Director Carlos Kalmar.”
Walter Weyler succeeded Maria M. Pope as Symphony Board Chair. Weyler is the former owner of Kinetics, Inc., a manufacturing business in Wilsonville, formerly owned by Omark Industries and purchased from Blount, Inc. in 1995.“I am honored to accept the position of board chair,” said Weyler. “I look forward to working with all of these dedicated and talented individuals to build the artistic value of the Symphony to our community and to improve its financial viability.” Elected to second three-year terms were M. Lee Pelton and Rev. Michael W. Maslowsky.
Ex-officio members of the board are Carol Andrianoff, President of the Friends of the Oregon Symphony; Alan Bennett, President of the Oregon Symphony Association in Salem; and Mark Kralj, Chair of the Oregon Symphony Foundation Board.
Board officers for the 2006-2007 season are: Walter Weyler, Chair; Duane McDougall, Vice Chair; Jeffrey T. Grubb, Vice Chair; Clayton Hering, Vice Chair; Maria M. Pope, Immediate Past Chair; Jim Dulcich, Secretary; and Tina L. Foster, Treasurer.
Connie Clark holds a masters in art from Reed College. “As a board member, I want to help expand the role of the Oregon Symphony throughout Oregon by reaching out to a broader audience,” said Clark. She has served as President of the Friends of the Oregon Symphony and is owner of All West Communications.
Carol Gardner is a former advertising executive and creator of the international line of Zelda Wisdom products. She has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Today Show, Good Morning America and The Martha Stewart Show. Gardner is also the author of eight books, including The Best of Dear Zelda.
Richard Keller II is president of Officers Row Capital and trustee of Emanuel Children’s Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital Foundations. He also serves on the boards of the Portland State University Graduate School of Business and the Business Advisory Council. “My kids have enjoyed Baby Beethoven, so becoming an Oregon Symphony board member is a natural step in classical music appreciation,” said Keller.
Denise Lilley has lived in Oregon for 22 years and serves on the boards of the OHSU Center for Women’s Health and the Stimson Miller Family Foundation. “I’ve always been a strong supporter of my community, and I hope to offer my strong fundraising background to the Symphony.”
Ron Parker is board chair of the Ford Family Foundation and an adjunct professor of finance at Linfield College. He is also involved with the Oregon Community Foundation and serves on the boards of Roseburg Forest Products, Oregon Business Council and OHSU Foundation.
David Squire is Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Grubb & Ellis (Portland office). He holds a bachelor of science in economics from the University of Georgia. Squire serves on the boards of Providence Hospital Foundation and American Cancer Society. “I am excited about this opportunity to help spread the word about this amazing cultural resource we have in Portland,” said Squire.
Linda Sweitzer is Chief Financial Officer for Urban Works Real Estate. A native Oregonian, she holds degrees in business management and decision sciences from the University of Oregon. “As a student, I spent a year in Salzburg, a city known for its great musical history,” said Sweitzer. “I would love to see that kind of commitment and appreciation for music in a city as wonderful as Portland.”
Michelle Sweet is a member of the Oregon Coast Music Association and Board President of Emmanuel Episcopal Preschool in Coos Bay. Sweet is currently working to strengthen the initiative the Symphony began in the North Bend School District several years ago. Sweet said she hopes to organize interested parties to actively participate in the Symphony’s ongoing presence in Southern Oregon.