Symphony names new deputy CEO

October 16, 2019 | 9:03 am

Updated October 16, 2019 | 9:06 am

The Owensboro Symphony Orchestra has announced that Gwyn Morris Payne, general manager of the organization, has been selected as deputy chief executive officer.

Payne, a native of Owensboro, has held several positions of increasing responsibility within the Owensboro Symphony since she joined the Symphony team in 2000, most recently holding the title of general manager. As Deputy CEO, Payne will immediately assume all day-to-day management and resource development responsibilities for the Symphony.

“I am humbled by the trust the organization has put in me,” Payne said. “It’s an organization with a mission I believe in and I look forward to working with the staff, board, volunteers and musicians as we continue to build on our fifty four seasons of success.”

In making the announcement, the Owensboro Symphony’s Governing Board Chair, Edna Barnes said, “We are very excited to name Gwyn as Deputy CEO. We believe she presented the best overall skill set and profile for our needs out of the candidates we interviewed to replace Dan Griffith who announced last May that he would be retiring. She has leadership, management, fundraising, marketing, and thinking skills. We have no doubt that she will dive in head first to do all that is necessary to ensure that the day-to-day operations of the Symphony are run in a most efficient manner.”

Griffith, who served as the Symphony’s Executive Director from 1984 to 1997 and returned as CEO in 2014, has agreed to continue his tenure as Chief Executive Officer through 2020.

“Griffith will work closely with Payne, Troy Quinn and our Governing Board on strategic positioning for the Symphony and the Symphony Foundation,” said Jay Wethington, search and transition committee chair and the Symphony’s vice president for strategic planning. “As you can imagine, the search and transition committee and board are pleased that Dan was willing to continue through 2020, enabling the organization to transition seamlessly through leadership change.”

“I am delighted to congratulate Gwyn, a trusted colleague and a good friend, as she assumes the day-to-day management and fundraising responsibilities of the Symphony. Gwyn knows the organization inside out,” said Symphony Music Director Troy Quinn. “She has the respect of all constituents within the organization and I know she will continue to build upon the momentum we have experienced over these past few years.”

October 16, 2019 | 9:03 am

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