Search on for new EDs in neighborhood
Two Riverside-based nonprofit organizations are looking for new executive director leadership. The Riverside Arts Market is seeking a replacement for two-year market director, Terri Coutu, while nearby Friday Musicale — Florida’s oldest musical organization founded in 1890 — is on the search for its second executive director.
Chris Heacox, who was hired by the volunteer music group as its first director in 2009, began a new job as executive director of the 7 Days of Opening Nights Festival at Florida State University Aug. 1.
According to a job summary posted on the Friday Musical website, the group is looking for someone who will manage the day-to-day operations of Friday Musicale “which includes but is not limited to artistic programming, financial management, fundraising, market and public relations, community collaborations and property management of the group’s 1930s Greek Revival building and musical hall on Oak Street.
“We are very sorry to be losing [Chris], but every challenge is also an opportunity,” said Friday Musicale Board President Henson Markham, when reached via email. He said a search for Heacox’s replacement is “well underway.” Harry Gruber, Friday Musicale’s vice president for development, will act as interim executive director.
“The Friday Musicale is enormously indebted to Chris for the expertise and professionalism he has brought to the organization these past four years,” Markham said. “We also are pleased for him that such an exciting opportunity has come his way.”
The organization’s new executive director, when chosen, will have a long legacy of local musical support efforts to continue. The group annually supports young musicians through recitals, competitions, scholarships and master classes and in 2002 began its highly regarded Outstanding Young Pianist Competition, which includes eight categories for students in grades 5 through 12. Friday Musicale also recognizes outstanding music teachers through its Carolyn Day Pfohl Music Educator Award.
Meanwhile, the Riverside Arts Market continues its search for a new market director. The new director will be the market’s third following former market leaders, Tony Allegretti and Terri Coutu. The interim director for the market is Torrie Parette, according to a recent release from RAM. Parette has been the volunteer coordinator for the market since April 2011.
“Torrie is exactly the right person for this job,” said Carmen Godwin, Riverside Avondale Preservation’s executive director in the announcement. “She offers continuity you our market vendors, she’s organized, professional and high energy, which will ensure that RAM continues to thrive.”
RAP’s board has assembled a search committee to find a full-time replacement for Coutu, who left the organization in June. RAM Advisory Committee Chair and resident, Sunny Gettinger, is heading the committee.
“We are looking for someone who has a vision for the market’s future, ideas for increasing RAM’s visibility and a keen business sense,” Gettinger said in the release.
Godwin said the group received many excellent resumes.
The market director’s duties include logistics and being the main point of contact for the city, vendors, marketing outlets, sponsors and volunteers. RAP’s application deadline for the RAM director position was early July.
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading... 
