In Thursday’s (2/2) Indianapolis Business Journal, Kathleen McLaughlin writes, “Simon Crookall [left] is stepping down as CEO of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra after seven years, the symphony announced Thursday night. Information about Crookall’s plans wasn’t immediately available. The symphony’s board of directors appointed Jackie Groth, vice president of finance and strategic planning, as interim president and CEO, effective immediately. Groth joined the ISO in 2010 after seven years of leadership in finance and administration at Veolia Water [a water-treatment company]. In a press release, Crookall, 51, said his accomplishments included hiring Music Director Krzysztof Urbanski and launching a $100 million capital campaign. … Crookall weathered controversy over his parting of ways with past music director Mario Venzago. The symphony also struggled with operating losses following the 2008 financial crisis. At the ISO’s annual meeting in November, Crookall said that with cost-cutting and increased fundraising, the ISO should have a balanced budget by the conclusion of the fiscal year ending Aug. 31, 2014. … Board Chairman John Thornburgh praised Crookall for building the orchestra’s finances and programming during his tenure. … Concertmaster Zach De Pue said, ‘Thanks to Simon, the ISO staff and board, we are in a good place. Very few U.S. cities enjoy what we have here in Indianapolis.’ ”
Photo of Crookall, Urbanski (center) and Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard by Matt Kryger/Indianapolis Star
Posted February 3, 2012
