David A. Petersen to Take Over as New Chair of Utah Symphony Opera; Pat Richards Retires

After nearly a decade as the chair of Utah Symphony | Utah Opera's board, Pat Richards has passed the torch to O.C. Tanner CEO Dave Petersen.

A former banking executive at Wells Fargo, Ms. Richards has been credited for assembling the current leadership at USUO and ushering in an era of financial stability. "[Being board chair] has been truly one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had, even when it was a difficult time and I think that's due to the wonderful partnership I've enjoyed with Melia [Tourangeau], Thierry [Fischer] and Christopher [McBeth], and the strong support of the board," Ms. Richards said in a phone interview. "We have created a culture within the organization that inspires mutual trust and respect."

Ms. Richards joined the Utah Opera board in 1994, remained during the 2002 merger with Utah Symphony, and took the helm as chair in 2005, when the company reported deficits exceeding $3 million.

Ms. Richards credits the success of the organization to "the courage of the board in looking to the future while having to deal with the present", which helped it steer the ship through rough financial waters. She points to a transparency and pragmatism within the leaders to help create the organizational cohesion needed to move the merged organization forward.

In Dave Petersen, Ms. Richards believes USUO has a great board leader who demonstrates, through his work as CEO for O.C. Tanner, his commitment to the community. O.C. Tanner's corporate mission is to help organizations function better by understanding and appreciating their employees. The company has a long history in supporting the vision of Utah Symphony and Utah Opera that dates back to when O.C. Tanner himself was the chair of the Utah Bicentennial Committee for the Arts. Under his guidance, Abravanel Hall was funded and built, and the Capitol Theatre reestablished as a live performance venue.

"This is a humbling opportunity, and I look forward to working with the great team at the Utah Symphony | Utah Opera," said Mr. Petersen, in a written statement. "I have appreciation for the vision and direction that Pat, Melia, Thierry, and Christopher have established through their work with the board, and I acknowledge the outstanding creative and administrative talent that makes great live music and performances possible. I am excited to be a small part of the future of this organization that plays such a unique and valuable role in Utah."

Mr. Petersen has been the USUO Board of Trustees Vice Chair since 2012, and also sits on the board of other community organizations including the Tanner Lectures on Human Values, American Cancer Hope Lodge, and the U's College of Humanities Partnership.

Says USUO President and CEO Melia Tourangeau: "I can think of no better leader in this community to take the helm of the Board of Trustees for Utah Symphony | Utah Opera than Dave Petersen, the CEO of O.C. Tanner. O.C. Tanner Corporation has been an anchor supporter of the Utah Symphony and Utah Opera for decades, and to have the CEO of this company as the chair of our organization during the Symphony's 75th Anniversary is symbolic in many ways. More than that, I am looking forward to having the O.C. Tanner culture infused into our organization through Dave's leadership."

As a longtime supporter of Utah Symphony | Utah Opera, O.C. Tanner Corporation is playing an integral role in supporting the organization's Campaign for Perpetual Motion, a $20-million public fundraising initiative launched last fall 2013. Carolyn Tanner Irish, Chair of the Board at O.C. Tanner, is an honorary co-chair of the public campaign. In 2011, O.C. Tanner Corporation also made a $4.6 million capstone commitment to Utah Symphony | Utah Opera's Leadership Campaign, which helped pave the way for the public fundraising initiative.

At the time of the Campaign for Perpetual Motion's public launch in fall 2013, Mr. Petersen stated: "The Utah Symphony and Opera belong to this community. They are ours to enjoy and to care for. The people and cultures of our state are regularly uplifted through their great musical performances and educational outreach to our kids. The O.C. Tanner Company and the Tanner families are believers in their mission and purpose and we encourage others to join us!"

Ms. Richards will remain on the USUO Board in a lifetime trustee role, and also stays involved with the organization as a member of the Utah Symphony Chorus, which she joined in 1974 after moving to Salt Lake City from Illinois. She also assumed the year-long term as board chair of the League of American Orchestras beginning in June 2014.

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