In Sunday’s (1/1) Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Mark Kanny profiles James A. Wilkinson, who became president of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in mid-November following the resignation of Larry Tamburri. Wilkinson first got involved with the orchestra as a labor negotiator in 1976. His role expanded over the years, and in 2003 he began serving as vice chairman of the PSO’s board. A native of Cumberland, Md., he earned a bachelor’s degree in the foreign-service program at Georgetown University and a law degree from Duquesne University. His business background includes USX Corporation, where he worked in labor relations and as a financial analyst; the health law division of Buchanan Ingersoll; and the long-term healthcare chain Meritcare, where he was chief financial officer and subsequently executive vice president and general counsel. Wilkinson “says his personal decision-making is ‘extremely dependent on quality accounting and financials.’ Asked about his artistic vision for the symphony, Wilkinson says, ‘I don’t think my artistic vision for the organization is rooted in trying to re-create what it was like in the ’30s, ’40s, ’50s and ’60s … We need to think of new approaches to young audiences to try to get them to come to the hall.’ ” Kanny writes, “When [Board Chairman Dick] Simmons introduced Wilkinson to the orchestra as the new president, the musicians applauded. They’ve come to know him well through arduous contract negotiations over decades.”
Posted January 3, 2012
