NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Following a six-month national search, State Theatre Board Chairman Warren R. Zimmerman announced today the appointment of Mark W. Jones, a 30-year veteran of arts administration and leadership, as the fifth President and Chief Executive Officer of the State Theatre in New Brunswick, NJ. Jones will assume his duties on January 3, 2011.
As State Theatre President and CEO, Jones will set the artistic vision of the theater; create and direct strategic plans; oversee day-to-day operations (including management of a 30-member, full-time staff); continue to strengthen the financial position of the organization through fundraising, sales, investments, and ancillary revenue streams; and handle board development, along with the executive and nominating committees. He will work closely with the Board of Trustees to ensure that the State Theatre remains a vibrant institution for the benefit of the people of New Jersey.
“The State Theatre is indeed fortunate to have found such an experienced, enthusiastic, innovative, and strategic-thinking individual to become our fifth President and CEO,” said Warren R. Zimmerman, chairman of the State Theatre Board of Trustees according to the press release.
“Mark’s years of experience in the theater world will ensure the continued success that our patrons, donors, and New Brunswick deserve from one of the region’s preeminent independent performing arts organizations. I am very excited to begin working with Mark to continue making our theater the best it can be.”
“I am honored to be chosen for this position, and to follow my predecessor Wesley O. Brustad, who did such a remarkable job during his tenure at the State Theatre,” said Jones.
Working more than three decades for many cultural institutions, Jones most recently spent three years at the helm of Millburn, NJ’s Paper Mill Playhouse, as executive director. Prior to his time at Paper Mill, Jones was the executive director for Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, MA. In addition, he spent 12 years as the executive director for the Jose Limon Foundation in New York, and also worked with New York’s Glimmerglass Opera and the Music-Theatre Group.
A New Jersey native, born and raised in Ewing Township, Jones is a graduate of Rider University in Lawrenceville. He received additional education at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, as well as the Harvard University/John F. Kennedy School of Government.
— Crystal Lynn Huntoon
