SIOUX FALLS, SD (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — The Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science introduced their new President/CEO. He is Gary Wood of New Orleans, LA. The naming of Mr. Wood follows an extensive nationwide search and interview process that began in October of 2007 following the departure of former CEO Steve Hoffman. The search was spearheaded by David Cisek of Management Consultants for the Arts of Minneapolis and a search committee comprised of Pavilion employees, board members and community leaders. Mr.Cisek was instrumental in the search that lead to the hiring of South Dakota Symphony conductor and music director, Delta David Gier.
"I am overjoyed and honored at the prospect of leading this institution into the next level of its evolution," says Wood. "The fact that this community had the foresight to create such a unique and far-reaching facility is something for which Sioux Falls is to be commended."
Mr. Wood is currently serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of The New Orleans Center for Creative Arts|Riverfront (NOCCA), Louisiana’s most prestigious and essential arts presenter and education center. NOCCA is a multifaceted organization, with concerts, exhibitions, and presentations for the greater New Orleans region, professional arts education for pre-K through adults in twelve disciplines. Each year, over 200 nationally prominent artists visit our campus for workshops, performances, and master classes. With alumni such as Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Harry Connick, Jr. (jazz), Wanda Boudreaux (visual arts), Jeanne-Michelé Charbonnet (opera), and Wendell Pierce (actor), NOCCA has made enormous impact on arts in America.
Mr. Wood also oversaw the evacuation and subsequent reopening of NOCCA following the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
From 1998 to 2003, Mr. Wood served The Philadelphia Orchestra Association as Director of Education and Community Partnerships, a senior management position. As such, he was involved in the most critical and far-reaching decisions of the organization: artistic, financial, personnel, operations, and strategic planning. Amongst his many achievements is Neighborhood Concert Series, a much-celebrated initiative to bridge the divide between orchestra and audience.
Mr. Wood is a graduate from Anoka Senior High School, Anoka, Mn. He holds a B.S. in Music Education and a Master of Music from the University of Minnesota. Along with his duties as President and CEO, Mr. Wood will also oversee programming for the Husby Performing Arts Center. Mr. Wood will assume his duties full time by May 1, 2008. He and his wife will reside in Sioux Falls.–by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
