The board of directors of the RiverPark Center has announced unanimous approval and appointment of Rich Jorn as executive director. Jorn will begin his position Nov. 4.
The search process began in May with the Board’s decision to contract with Genoves, Vanderhoof and Associates, an international search firm specializing in placing executives of cultural institutions.
Doug Field, co-chair of the executive director search task force, said the selection of Jorn as was the culmination of a months-long national search process that included not only local candidates in Kentucky and neighboring states, but qualified candidates from coast to coast and border to border.
“Rich was our first choice and the search task force is confident that he will be a fantastic addition to RiverPark and the Owensboro community,” Field said.
With more than two decades of arts management and production experience, Jorn was most recently the artistic director of the Effingham Performing Arts Center in Effingham, Ill.
“Rich has the right kind of connections with promoters and touring productions, as well as a deep commitment to education and community partnerships,” said Jeff Ebelhar, RiverPark Center’s chair of the board of directors. “I know he is excited about being in a larger market and is passionate about making a positive impact in Owensboro. His wealth of knowledge and programming experience will bring a much wider variety of offering to RiverPark Center.”
Jorn is originally from the St. Louis area and trained in theater at Arkansas State University where he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre. He has worked in multiple facilities and is a passionate advocate for the arts.
“I am honored and very excited to be named Executive Director of RiverPark Center,” he said. “I intend to continue your wonderful tradition of bringing quality entertainment to the area while expanding RiverPark’s impact on the region. I look forward to joining the Owensboro community and enjoying all it has to offer.”
