In Thursday’s (9/3) Modesto Bee (California), Lisa Millegan reports, “Nearly a year after the Modesto Symphony Orchestra’s chief executive officer resigned, the organization has hired a replacement. Thomas S. Smith, formerly CEO of Des Moines Metro Opera in Iowa, starts work Monday. He takes over for Paul Jan Zdunek, who left in November to head the Orchestras of Pasadena. Smith, 37, will run the business side of the 78-year-old nonprofit organization, managing staff and overseeing day-to-day operations. … After a career in opera administration, Smith said he was eager to try another area of the arts. … Originally from Hampton, Va., Smith has worked in arts administration for more than 15 years. Prior to serving in Des Moines for 2½ years, he served as chief financial officer at the Cincinnati Opera and worked in the administrative staff at the Baltimore Opera.”
Posted September 3, 2009
