John Blackshaw Joins Hennepin Theatre Trust's Board of Trustees

Hennepin Theatre Trust today announced the election of John Fox Blackshaw to its Board of Trustees, a group with extensive experience in the arts and philanthropy, politics, communications, real estate, business, law and finance.

Blackshaw is the Chief Executive Officer at Nemadji Research Corporation, a cutting edge software development company. He is also the President/Partner at Williams Blackshaw Group, Inc., a marketing and communications firm and the former President of North Woods Advertising. He previously held various positions at the Tunheim Santrizos Company (now Tunheim Group) and was the General Counsel for the Minnesota North Stars Hockey Club. Blackshaw worked as the Chief of Staff for the late U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone (1990-92) and as Campaign Manager for Wellstone for Senate 1990, Rybak for Mayor 2005 and Lourey for Governor 2006. He was an attorney at Morgan, Wenzel and McNicholas, and Deems and Carpenter and served on boards at the Civilian Police Review Authority, Minneapolis; Sister Kenny Foundation and Kids Voting Minnesota. He was a host/producer for the Access Minnesota public affairs radio program and a guest lecturer for the Institute of Politics at Harvard University.

Trustees bring a range of talent to Hennepin Theatre Trust and serve staggered three year terms. As residents of Minneapolis/St. Paul and the surrounding areas, they are passionate about the arts and the positive contributions the Trust makes to Hennepin Avenue and downtown.

"We are honored to welcome John Fox Blackshaw to our prestigious team of Board Members," commented Tom Hoch, President/CEO of Hennepin Theatre Trust. "As we foster collaborative projects like Made Here, featuring Minnesota-made art in the Hennepin Cultural District, and make downtown come alive with events in and out of our four theatres, we count on our Board's invaluable expertise and professional perspective."

Hennepin Theatre Trust's Board of Trustees: Scott Benson, Daniel Pierce Bergin, John Fox Blackshaw, Ralph W. Burnet, Sonia Cairns, Dan Cramer, Wendy Dayton, Thomas L. Hoch, Julie Idelkope, Linda C. Ireland, Jeannie Joas, Barbara Klaas, James Linnett, Mark Marjala, Annette Thompson Meeks, Jann L. Olsten, David Orbuch, Brian J. Pietsch, Edward Pisarski, Thomas J. Rosen, Doug Ruth, T. Jay Salmen, Ann Simonds, Julie Beth Vipperman and Tom Vitt.

HENNEPIN THEATRE TRUST, owner of the historic Orpheum, State, Pantages and New Century Theatres, is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to arts-inspired community cultural development. We achieve our mission by presenting a rich mix of live performances, creating inspiring arts education experiences and advancing a thriving Hennepin Cultural District in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota.