Trustees Name Nechie Hall
as Interim CEO at the FAC
Hall
makes history as first woman to take top job in FAC’s 77 years
COLORADO
SPRINGS (Dec 17,
2013) - The Colorado Springs Fine Arts
Center’s Board of Trustees announced today the appointment of longtime Springs
advertising, marketing and communications executive Nechie Hall to the post of
interim president and CEO.
Hall, along with her husband, Jim, founded
PRACO (Public Relations Advertising Company), now Vladimir Jones, Colorado’s
third largest woman-owned business and one of the state’s largest agencies.
While she still serves as CEO and Chairman, Hall retired from day-to-day operations
of the company, which are being led by her daughter, Meredith Hall Vaughan.
“Having the freedom to take the
reins of this historic institution puts me square in the middle of my lifelong
passion for the arts and love of the Fine Arts Center,” Nechie said. “I believe
in the importance of the arts in building a healthy quality of life and a
strong economic environment for our community. This opportunity to help not
only maintain stability of staff and funding sources, but to help identify
relevance for all audiences, taps into my strengths.”
She is uniquely qualified, as a
business leader, a community leader, a devotee - and a student herself - of the
arts, and a highly respected thought-leader throughout the state. She brings
experience, passion and talent in business management, nonprofit governance,
community outreach, marketing, public relations, branding and organizational
development to what is already such a high-quality portfolio at the FAC.
Hall served as a Trustee of the Fine
Arts Center from 1998 to 2004, during which time she was a member of the
Executive Committee and Vice Chair of Board. She also served as Marketing
Committee Chair.
She has served on upwards of fifteen
other non-profit boards, championed pro bono projects through her agency for
important community needs, and is the recipient of numerous awards and
accolades related to her industry and the community, including the first woman
to be honored as the Chamber Business Citizen of the Year.
Hardly new to the transition
process, Hall has aided many local and national organizations, throughout her
career, by going into their businesses to assist with on-site transition
management.
She arrives at the FAC at a time of
change.
Board member David Kunstle, who has
served as chair of the Leadership Transition Team responsible for leading the
interim CEO process, said that out of a wide field of strong candidates, Hall
stood out.
“The
Board is delighted that Nechie has agreed to serve as Interim CEO,” Kunstle
said. “She loves the arts and knows this organization well, having
previously been a Trustee for many years. Nechie is a natural leader and
communicator, the community deeply respects her, and we are thrilled to have
her re-energizing and guiding the Fine Arts Center and its outstanding staff
during this interim period.”
Board Chairman Dr. Jim Raughton has served
as acting CEO since the departure of previous CEO Sam Gappmayer, assuring
continuity, stability and leadership. The trustees and the Leadership Transition
Team expressed that his vision and enthusiasm have been instrumental in aiding with
this transition.
“We’d
like to thank Jim for stepping up, without a moment’s hesitation to serve as
Acting CEO,” Kunstle said. “His passion, leadership and his effective outreach
to key donors have been invaluable in helping us through this transition.”
Raughton said he was happy to help
an organization that’s been so dear to him, and he believes that he hands to
Hall an FAC poised for bigger things.
“We’ve turned a corner, and there are
real opportunities in the immediate future,” he said. “I’m confident that
Nechie Hall has the business acumen – in cooperation with the Leadership Transition
Team and the trustees – to capture the tremendous potential of the Fine Arts
Center.”
As part of the strategic process and
ongoing vision for the future of this historic institution, Hall will
proactively work with the board, staff and vendors on guiding robust plans
already in place, as well as anticipated updates and modifications to amenities
and services, such as restaurant facilities and gift shop offerings as well as
an expanded slate of special events.
The FAC is also currently conducting
a national search for a Development Director, and has simultaneously begun
implementing the search process for a permanent CEO.
“I am a leader who loves change
because I believe it is cathartic and presents numerous opportunities for
organizations to think differently,” Hall said. “I believe it also enables the
staff to demonstrate their strengths in a fresh new way and this alone can
create excitement and energy if managed appropriately. What I glean from time there will go a long
way in helping the board build a more in-depth understanding of exactly what
the FAC needs, what the culture is like, and where the strengths and weaknesses
are.”
Hall will be the first woman CEO in
the FAC’s 77-year history.
