“Michael Pastreich, the longest-serving president and CEO of the Florida Orchestra in its 50-year history, is resigning after 11 years leading the orchestra,” writes Andrew Meacham in Monday’s (7/23) Tampa Bay Times. “Pastreich, 52, said he [had been] ‘debating it awhile and I decided this was the right time…. I’ve had a wonderful time.’ … In his time at the helm, the orchestra has achieved record concert attendance, become more involved in the community and grown its endowment from $8 million to $21 million. A major growth factor entailed reducing ticket prices in 2011 to a range of $15 to $45. Paid attendance has since increased by 49 percent…. Pastreich grew up in St. Louis, where his father was executive director of the orchestra. He then moved with his family to San Francisco. He majored in silversmithing at Washington University of St. Louis, earning a Fulbright Scholarship — then turned down the scholarship to participate in a management program with the League of American Orchestras…. He has not made up his mind what he will do next…. Sherry Powell, the orchestra’s chief marketing officer for 12 years, will serve as interim president.”
Posted July 24, 2018
