PORTLAND, Ore. March 22, 2023 – The Oregon Symphony Board of Directors today announced a leadership succession plan, following the end of President and CEO Scott Showalter’s contract on June 30. Showalter will remain at the helm until a successor is identified and begins their term later this year. At that point, Showalter will assume the new role of Executive Advisor to the President and the Board.
“Scott has established an incredible legacy by growing the Symphony’s regional impact and its national reputation. His leadership has been a boon to the State of Oregon,” says Board Chair Dan Drinkward.
Since assuming his role in 2014, Showalter has expanded the orchestral season and breadth of its education and digital programs. The Oregon Symphony now serves hundreds of thousands of people in person and tens of millions more via syndicated programs each year. During his tenure, the Symphony also has broadened its repertoire to include music from hip hop to video games, premiered classical works that address issues from homelessness to racism, completed a global search for its new Music Director, led a community celebration of its 125th anniversary, grown wages for musicians and staff, and earned multiple Grammy nominations.
Drinkward notes that additional changes to administrative and financial structures have allowed the Symphony to serve its mission better. Under Showalter’s leadership, revenues have grown by 65%. Except for fiscal year 2020 during the onset of the pandemic, the Symphony has balanced its budget each year, and it has incurred no debt.
Showalter reflects that the Symphony’s successes have been a team effort. “Working with our board, musicians, staff, and donors has been the highlight of my career, and I am proud of all that we have accomplished together. Although I will move on later this year, I am committed to ensuring our continued success through this transition.”
The incoming President will be able to build on Showalter’s accomplishments as they put their own stamp on the institution, Drinkward says. In Showalter’s role as Executive Advisor, he will assist the new President and the Board on institutional priorities like fundraising and strategic planning and help to transition relationships with key stakeholders. “We are the beneficiaries of Scott’s goodwill, since he has agreed to remain in his current role for now and serve as an advisor beyond his current contract,” says Drinkward. “Rarely does a nonprofit benefit to such a degree from the expertise and connections of a departing CEO.”
The Board of Directors has partnered with Aspen Leadership Group, which specializes in non-profit executive searches and succession planning, and expects to name a new President and CEO later this summer.
“Scott has established an incredible legacy by growing the Symphony’s regional impact and its national reputation. His leadership has been a boon to the State of Oregon,” says Board Chair Dan Drinkward.
Since assuming his role in 2014, Showalter has expanded the orchestral season and breadth of its education and digital programs. The Oregon Symphony now serves hundreds of thousands of people in person and tens of millions more via syndicated programs each year. During his tenure, the Symphony also has broadened its repertoire to include music from hip hop to video games, premiered classical works that address issues from homelessness to racism, completed a global search for its new Music Director, led a community celebration of its 125th anniversary, grown wages for musicians and staff, and earned multiple Grammy nominations.
Drinkward notes that additional changes to administrative and financial structures have allowed the Symphony to serve its mission better. Under Showalter’s leadership, revenues have grown by 65%. Except for fiscal year 2020 during the onset of the pandemic, the Symphony has balanced its budget each year, and it has incurred no debt.
Showalter reflects that the Symphony’s successes have been a team effort. “Working with our board, musicians, staff, and donors has been the highlight of my career, and I am proud of all that we have accomplished together. Although I will move on later this year, I am committed to ensuring our continued success through this transition.”
The incoming President will be able to build on Showalter’s accomplishments as they put their own stamp on the institution, Drinkward says. In Showalter’s role as Executive Advisor, he will assist the new President and the Board on institutional priorities like fundraising and strategic planning and help to transition relationships with key stakeholders. “We are the beneficiaries of Scott’s goodwill, since he has agreed to remain in his current role for now and serve as an advisor beyond his current contract,” says Drinkward. “Rarely does a nonprofit benefit to such a degree from the expertise and connections of a departing CEO.”
The Board of Directors has partnered with Aspen Leadership Group, which specializes in non-profit executive searches and succession planning, and expects to name a new President and CEO later this summer.
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