The Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association announced today at their Annual Board Meeting the extension of David Bohnett's term as Chairman. Bohnett, who joined the Philharmonic Board in January 2004, became the Chairman in October 2008 for a three-year term, set to expire this year. In an unprecedented show of support the Board voted to extend this for another year, effective immediately.
"It is wonderful news for the LA Phil family that David Bohnett has agreed to extend his chairmanship" said Deborah Borda, President and Chief Executive of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. "His remarkable leadership skills and his passion for both community and music, as well as his commitment to the future of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, are key components of the strength of this institution today. Speaking for both Gustavo Dudamel and myself, we could not envision a stronger partner and are inspired by his energy and commitment. "
"I am honored to continue as Chairman of the Board of this exceptional organization," said Bohnett. "The Los Angeles Philharmonic is extending the programming boundaries and social relevance of the American symphonic world. We continue to shape the international model of what an orchestra in the 21st century can be through innovative partnerships, education programs and creative excellence. Working with visionary and dedicated colleagues on the Board of Directors and with the incomparable staff at the LA Phil for the past three years has been wonderfully inspiring and I look forward to helping contribute to our future success."
Bohnett spent his professional career in the technology and information services industry. He founded GeoCities, an Internet-based media and e-commerce company cited as one of the top four most trafficked sites on the web. The company became publicly traded on NASDAQ and was subsequently acquired by Yahoo! Inc. Bohnett has been recognized as one of Time Digital's Top 50 Cyber Elite, one of Upside magazine's Elite 100, and one of Newsweek's "100 People to Watch in the Next Millennium". His current activities include serving as the Chairman of the David Bohnett Foundation, a non-profit grant-making organization focused on improving society through social activism. He also manages a portfolio of early stage technology investments through his private equity firm, Baroda Ventures, and sits on the boards of several civic, philanthropic and privately held ventures.
In addition to Bohnett's announcement, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Board of Directors also welcomed new member Jennifer Chernick, effective immediately:
Jennifer Chernick - A classically-trained pianist, Chernick received her BA in History and Slavic Languages and Literature from Stanford University. In addition to her musical background, Chernick has experience leading organizations and planning and promoting events. She founded iCadenza LLC in 2009 with Julia Torgovitskaya after winning second place in the Tufts University 100K Business Plan Competition. iCadenza works with classical musicians and arts organizations on personal branding, online promotion, and career strategy. Through iCadenza, Chernick develops social media promotional strategies for classical artists, and offers consulting/coaching and career planning for musicians of all career stages. In fall 2010 the iCadenza team started a second venture, Cadenza Artists - a West-Coast based artist management company, specializing in classical soloists and ensembles. In 2011, Chernick and Torgovitskaya presented talks at the Opera America Conference and Classical Singer Convention on the topics "Best of Both Worlds: Making Your Young Artist Program Shine" and "Getting Jobs with Social Media," respectively. Chernick has a deep intellectual interest in the value of arts in society as well as a strong belief in the power of the individual to inspire change. These elements, combined with her experience in research and management, allow her to bring a perspective to her work with iCadenza that is both philosophical and practical. In fall 2011 she will begin a JD/MBA program at Stanford University, while continuing to work with iCadenza and Cadenza Artists clients.
Since January this year, six other new members have joined the Board, bringing with them a deep appreciation of the arts:
Mari ("Mimi") L. Danihel was raised in Wyoming and later moved to California, where her father was the chief of staff at Lancaster Community Hospital. She recently retired from Danihel Property Management, the business she inherited from her late husband, Leo Danihel, a native of Slovakia and past President of the World Slovak Congress. Ms. Danihel became a Slovak citizen in October 2004. She was named the American Heart Association of Los Angeles' 2010 Crystal Heart Honoree at its annual "Go Red for Women" Luncheon. Ms. Danihel is also a Director at the Alfred E. Mann Foundation and the Los Angeles World Affairs Council.
Aida Koukeyan Gaona will serve as Chair of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Affiliates for the next two years. Her term extends from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2013. A resident of Los Angeles for the past 40 years, Aida is a member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Affiliates through the International Committee. In 1994 she joined this Committee, which produces an International Ball every year to benefit the Los Angeles Philharmonic. She has been deeply involved with this major fundraiser for many years and chaired the event four times. She served as President of the International Committee from 2006-2008. For the past five years, she served on the Affiliates Presidents and Coordinators Board. Aida brings to the Affiliate Chair position the organizational and management skills that she acquired in business. She served as Vice President of Operations for a wholesale tour operator and traveled the world. When her son was born, she used her entrepreneurial skills to start her own wholesale importing business, which developed into retail businesses.
Aida is Armenian, born and educated in the City of Jerusalem. As a naturalized American citizen, she cherishes and values the United States as her new homeland. Aida is married to Rick Gaona, and they have one son, Ricky.
David I. Gindler is Deputy General Counsel for the law firm of Irell & Manella LLP. Consistently named one of California's "Super Lawyers" by Los Angeles Lawyer Magazine, he specializes in complex commercial litigation. Mr. Gindler represents both established and emerging commercial and non-profit organizations. He is a Los Angeles native who serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Antaeus Company, in addition to his posts on the Boards of Directors of the
Center Theatre Group, the Los Angeles Master Chorale and the Reprise Theatre Company. Mr. Gindler's wife, Kiki Ramos Gindler, is also an attorney and an active performing arts patron.
Maurice Marciano is the Chairman of the Board and Director of GUESS?, Inc., a Los Angeles-based apparel company he co-founded in 1981 with Armand, Georges and Paul Marciano. Maurice Marciano has overseen the brand's monumental growth into the multi-billion dollar company it is today. The Maurice Marciano Family Foundation is a strong supporter of Los Angeles-area organizations, including Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, The Buckley School and Shuva Temple. Mr. Marciano is also the Director of the GUESS? Foundation and a member of the West Coast Chairmen's Council for the American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.
Beverly C. Marksbury will serve as the President of the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts (PSHA) for 2011/12 and will oversee the Benefit, the 2012 Pasadena Showcase House of Design. She has served with PSHA for 18 years. She participates in many other volunteer organizations in the Pasadena area, including the Tournament of Roses Association and San Marino League, and was a Peer Review Panel Member for the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance for 15 years. Mrs. Marksbury earned a BA in History and Economics from UCLA, and an MPA Public Administration/Judicial Administration from USC. Her professional career spanned 38 years with the court system, including the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, the U.S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco and the Los Angeles Superior Court. Among her many accomplishments was developing a grants program in excess of $15 million to promote and fund court programs, directing new courthouse construction with a budget in excess of $300 million and managing the development and implementation of an automated criminal records system and juror usage.
Charles B. Ortner is a Partner with the law firm of Proskauer Rose LLP in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department. He is co-head of the firm's Entertainment Industry Group and has represented many leading entertainment and media industry institutions. Mr. Ortner's clients number among the world's most successful recording artists, entrepreneurs and executives. He was appointed by President
Barack Obama to the Board of Trustees of
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 2010. Mr. Ortner serves as the National Legal Counsel to the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences and is a member of both the Board of Directors of the Grammy Museum and the Board of Trustees of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.
