Alene Haehl Named New Executive Director for HSPVA Friends

The Board of Directors of HSPVA Friends has named Alene Haehl as its new executive director, succeeding Mary Martha Lappe, who retired in May after serving in that role since the organization was founded in 1997. A graduate of HSPVA, Haehl comes to the job following several years as a consultant with AndrisinAbbey, LLC, a boutique consulting firm for nonprofit organizations, where she guided many organizations through strategic growth of their development programs. She graduated magna cum laude from Boston University's University Professors Program with a cross-disciplinary degree in the Management and Development of Non-Profit Organizations.

Herb Pasternak, Chairman of the Board of Directors of HSPVA Friends said: "After interviewing many strong candidates, we knew that we had found exactly the right person with Alene. Her educational and professional background is exactly what the board was looking for. Combine that with her passion for the arts and public education - it was a perfect fit. We are heading into a period of great challenge and opportunity and are excited and confident in the leadership that Alene will provide."

HISD's High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) opened its doors in 1971 as the nation's second arts magnet school, a grand experiment in education. HSPVA has produced more Presidential Scholars in the Arts than any other school in the nation, and is ranked in the top two in the U.S. for Presidential Distinguished Teachers and National Distinguished Teachers of the Arts. The HSPVA graduating class of 2012 ranks first among HISD high schools in college merit-scholarship offers with a total of more than $15 million, for an average of over $100,000 per senior. HSPVA's rigorous arts and academic programs have produced leaders in the arts as well as business, law, and public sector institutions both locally and around the world.

HSPVA Friends is a nonprofit support organization that over the years has raised more than $8 million to support HSPVA's students and its performing and visual arts programs. Funds are used for the school's master classes, art supplies and equipment, costumes, production support, art publications, lighting and sound equipment, musical instruments, and HSPVA's participation at national arts conferences and competitions. HSPVA Principal Dr. R. Scott Allen credits HSPVA Friends for helping to sustain the school's standing as one of the finest in the nation both artistically and academically. "You can find HSPVA grads at the top tier universities and conservatories across the country," states Allen, "It is rare to see a person list their high school later in life on a professional résumé and that is common with our graduates. Our alumni take great pride in having attended HSPVA."

For more information, please visit www.hspvafriends.org.