Tom Hoch, President/CEO of Hennepin Theatre Trust, to Step Down in 2017

Tom Hoch, who is the founder of Hennepin Theatre Trust as well as the West Downtown Minneapolis Cultural District known as WeDo announced today that he will step down from the role he created after more than two decades of leadership.

"Tom is a visionary leader who is able to unearth potential in historic buildings, city streetscapes and people eager to transform their corner of the world," said Scott Benson, board chair of the Trust. "His resolve and passion have transformed not only the Trust but also downtown Minneapolis.

"The board is deeply grateful for Tom and all that he has given to the organization and the city for more than two decades. We also know that he won't wait long to explore the next new challenge, and our community is better having Tom in it in any capacity."

The board of directors will launch an executive search for the position of president and CEO. Hoch will serve as president and CEO until his successor is appointed, which is expected to be mid-2017.

"Downtown Minneapolis' success is in no small measure due to Tom's leadership," said Steve Cramer, president and CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council / Downtown Improvement District. "Minneapolis is a better place to live, work and play because of Tom's work."

Hoch helped lead efforts to acquire and restore the three historic theatres that the Trust now operates - the Orpheum, State and Pantages. In 2011, he introduced New Century Theatre as another venue for local theatre and music. During Hoch's tenure, the Trust brought a vast range of touring Broadway to Minneapolis as well as international, national and local artists who have been enjoyed by millions of people, while also revitalizing the Hennepin Avenue area in downtown Minneapolis.

More recently, in 2011, Hoch helped drive a community planning process that invited Minnesotans to reimagine Hennepin Avenue as an arts and cultural destination. By 2015, the Trust was leading efforts to bring to life an arts and cultural district connected by Hennepin Avenue. Today it is called WeDo - the West Downtown MPLS Cultural District - and is led by a Cultural District Alliance that includes the Trust, the Walker Art Center, Artspace (developer of The Cowles Center for Dance & the Performing Arts) and the City of Minneapolis.

Hoch's legacy continues to be experienced by anyone visiting WeDo. It lights up Hennepin Avenue at night with the historic theatre marquees; it stands five stories high in the form of the kaleidoscopic mural of Bob Dylan; it shows up in smiles on the faces of students in the Trust's signature Spotlight Education program; and it will bring new activity to 900 Hennepin, formerly known as the Solera restaurant. The Trust acquired the building in August and is transforming it to include office space for staff and unique community spaces.

"For over 20 years, I have been deeply involved in the preservation, rehabilitation and programming of the Orpheum, State and Pantages Theatres," Hoch said. "Our organization has worked diligently to make these theatres premier cultural attractions, to connect the arts and cultural offerings in downtown to adults and students throughout the city and across the State of Minnesota and to make our downtown and city a more vibrant place for everyone.

"I am lucky to have worked with so many individuals on these efforts, and the Trust is in a great position to continue to serve our community. Our immensely talented staff will continue to lead the ongoing positioning of our downtown as a significant center of economic activity in which the arts are an indispensable driver."

On behalf of the Minneapolis Community Development Agency, Hoch oversaw the restoration of the State Theatre and initial acquisition and operation of the Orpheum. He then served as deputy executive director of the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority. He returned to the theatres in 1996 to assume oversight of their management and led efforts to save the Pantages Theatre. In 2000, Hoch formed the Trust as a nonprofit organization to ensure that the theatres would be preserved and operated in perpetuity. He also practiced law after teaching for Minneapolis Public Schools.

Hoch is currently serving as board chair of the Minneapolis Downtown Council / Downtown Improvement District and the Animal Humane Society, and participates in several other nonprofit initiatives. Hoch will continue to be involved in the community through these nonprofit organizations, as well as exploring private sector opportunities.

"I am so thankful to this community for offering me so many opportunities," Hoch said. "I continue to be passionate about our city's future and look forward to contributing to its future successes."

Hennepin Theatre Trust is a nonprofit organization that creates positive change through the arts by bringing together people, businesses and organizations in WeDo, the West Downtown MPLS Cultural District. We serve the community through our four theatres - the Orpheum, State, Pantages and New Century - and our unique arts, culture and education programs. Learn more at HennepinTheatreTrust.org and wedompls.org.

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