December 11, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, Ore. … Oregon Symphony Association President Elaine Calder today announced the appointment of Carl Herko to the newly created position of Vice President, Media & Public Relations.
A native of Buffalo, N.Y., Herko spent nearly two decades as an editor and writer for The Buffalo News. From 1985 to 1991 he was editor of Buffalo Magazine, the newspaper’s award-winning, 400,000-circulation Sunday magazine. As a feature writer from 1992 to 1995 he wrote in-depth stories on a wide range of topics, focusing primarily on architecture and the visual and performing arts.
He then moved to Boston, where he worked as senior editor and publicist for the Tufts University Office of Communications and Public Relations. Before moving to Portland in 2005 he spent three and a half years as communications and marketing manager for Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens, a complex of history museums and historic homes in New Bern, N.C.
Herko earned an undergraduate degree in journalism from Buffalo State College, State University of New York, and a master’s degree in architectural history from Tufts University.
In announcing the appointment, Calder said: “Carl’s experience as a working journalist and communications specialist, together with his passion for symphonic music, makes him an ideal addition to our staff. I look forward to working with him to ensure that the Oregon Symphony’s programs, activities and personalities are widely known throughout our community. If he can help us achieve national recognition, so much the better.
“(Music Director) Carlos Kalmar calls this orchestra’s superb level of performance one of America’s best-kept secrets, and we need to address that,” Calder added.
“The extraordinary quality of the Oregon Symphony came as one of our biggest and best surprises when we moved here from the East Coast,” Herko said. “But this is not just a really great orchestra. It’s an enormously important cultural asset for the entire region, a big part of what makes living here unique. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to help spread the word about that.”
Herko and his partner, Dr. Panos Fourtounis, a physician, live in Portland. Herko assumes his responsibilities with the orchestra immediately.