RPO appoints Interim President and CEO Ralph P. Craviso
For Immediate Release: September 25, 2015
Media Contacts: Sally Cohen, sally@sallycohenpr.com
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RPO APPOINTS INTERIM PRESIDENT & CEO
Ralph P. Craviso brings expertise in orchestra administration
Rochester, NY – The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) announces today that it is appointing Ralph P. Craviso as its interim president and chief executive officer as of October 1, 2015. Current President & CEO Charles Owens announced on June 17th that he was stepping down after eight years as of September 30th.
“While we’re still conducting a national search to find a full-time replacement, we are grateful to have Mr. Craviso taking the temporary reins,” says new RPO Board Chair Jules L. Smith. “His successful record with symphony orchestras across the country speaks for itself.”
Craviso has developed an expertise in working with symphony orchestras, having worked with more than 60 of them across the country – with budgets ranging from $800,000 to $70 million – through his management consulting firm, Craviso & Associates. He established Craviso & Associates in 2006 upon his retirement from Lucent Technologies, where he was Vice President of Workforce Effectiveness. He is currently the director of a master’s program in performing arts administration at Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts. Craviso is a specialist in working with non-profits across the U.S. in all aspects of Human Resources, with a concentration in organizational assessment and reorganization, labor relations strategy, compensation and benefits design, and pensions and retiree health benefit planning. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Fordham University and his law degree from Fordham Law School, and has served as a board member for such diverse organizations as the Employment Policy Foundation and the Dallas Symphony Association. Craviso is a patron of the arts and a passionate concert and opera subscriber.
“I am very much looking forward to lending my expertise to the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra during this time of transition,” says Craviso, who will be living in Rochester as of October 1. “This world-class orchestra is entering a very exciting chapter, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it!”
The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra has been committed to enriching and inspiring our community through the art of music since its founding in 1922. The RPO presents approximately 160 concerts and broadcasts a year, serving up to 170,000 people through ticketed events, education and community engagement activities, and concerts in schools and community centers throughout the region. Recently appointed 12th Music Director Ward Stare joins the ranks of former notable RPO music directors, including Eugene Goossens, José Iturbi, Erich Leinsdorf, David Zinman and Conductor Laureate Christopher Seaman. Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik has earned a national reputation for excellence in pops programming during his 21-year tenure with the RPO. With Michael Butterman as Principal Conductor for Education and Community Engagement (The Louise and Henry Epstein Family Chair) – the first endowed position of its kind in the country – the RPO reaches more than 12,000 children through its specific programs for school-aged children.
Media please note: A high-resolution image of Mr. Craviso is available, and interviews can be arranged.
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