Chicago Philharmonic Names New Board Chairman

The Chicago Philharmonic Society announced today that Paul R. Judy, Board Chairman since January, 2012, has become Chairman Emeritus, and is being succeeded by Thomas J. Manning. Additionally, Bobby Everson, a principal timpanist with the orchestra and a board director, was named Vice Chairman.

Mr. Judy guided the Chicago Philharmonic Society during a period of dramatic transformation, implementing new structures intended to further establish the organization as a musician-led and governed society. In particular, Mr. Judy launched an initiative to substantially increase the role of musicians in all areas of decision-making by adding musicians to the board of directors and to board committees. Mr. Judy's progressive philosophy toward orchestral governance was in large part influenced by his experience as founder and leader of the Symphony Orchestra Institute and founder of the Orchestra Musician Forum. Previously, Mr. Judy served as CEO of A.G. Becker & Co. and as a director of numerous corporate boards.

Tom Manning, the incoming chairman, has been a member of the board since 2012. A native Chicagoan, he served as CEO of numerous companies in the private equity, technology, and consulting industries in Asia, Europe, and the United States over the past twenty years. He currently serves as an independent director of several public companies and is also on the adjunct faculty of The University of Chicago Law School.

Mr. Manning, who intends to continue the transformation launched by Mr. Judy, recently said, "I am honored to take up this new post and eager to move forward with our growth strategy. The Chicago Philharmonic is gaining recognition as one of the best musical arts organizations in the Midwest Region and, as a consequence, we are experiencing increasing demand for our services from local patrons, visiting event producers, and private groups."

Bobby Everson is a principal timpanist with the Chicago Philharmonic. A life-long Chicagoan, he was educated at DePaul University. In addition to playing with the Philharmonic, he also teaches percussion at Concordia University. In his new role as Vice Chairman, Mr. Everson will work closely with Tom Manning and Donna Milanovich, Executive Director of the Philharmonic. Concerning his election, Mr. Everson said, "I am particularly excited to see the growth of our audience in number and diversity. We are really reaching out to our community in new ways to bring great music to a wide array of people in our community."

During Mr. Judy's tenure, the Society's orchestra and chamber groups achieved new levels of artistic quality, and in late 2012, the Chicago Philharmonic became the official orchestra of the Joffrey Ballet. Mr. Judy also recruited new board members with broad community experience and business skills to further strengthen the board. Financially, the Society improved its standing by achieving budget surpluses for four straight years. Looking to the future, Mr. Judy decided to ensure a permanent role for the Society in the music arts field in Chicago by recently establishing an endowment fund, which has already attracted interest from long-time patrons.

While continuing to offer performances in Evanston and other suburbs around Chicago, the Chicago Philharmonic will expand its presence in the city of Chicago. It will serve as the official orchestra for the Joffrey Ballet in all of Joffrey's 2015-16 productions and plans to present its inaugural concert in downtown Chicago in May of 2016. It will also continue to perform its popular chamber music series at venues such as City Winery. In an effort to bring outstanding music to a wider audience in the community, the Chicago Philharmonic will also participate in the Chicago Park District's "Night Out in the Parks" program at several different venues this August.

Following the Philharmonic's recent board meeting, Mr. Judy said, "I have great confidence in the capabilities of Tom Manning and Bobby Everson and in the competence and drive of Donna Milanovich and her staff. Musically, the orchestra, under Scott Speck's direction, is performing magnificently. The organization is operating on all cylinders, and our future is very bright."