Kenneth R. Feinberg to Serve Third Term as WNO President

Washington National Opera (WNO) today announced that Kenneth R. Feinberg will serve a third, two-year term as president of the Company. The announcement follows WNO's Annual Meeting, held Wednesday, May 26, at which the Board of Trustees unanimously approved Mr. Feinberg's term extension and new trustees were recognized.

A passionate opera lover since childhood, Mr. Feinberg is a mediation and alternative dispute resolution attorney known for his pro bono work as Special Master of TARP Executive Compensation for the Obama administration and Special Master of the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund for the Bush administration. He has served on WNO's Board of Trustees since 1995, and in 2006, he became president of the Opera, serving two, two-year terms. In this role, Mr. Feinberg serves as the chief executive officer, ensuring that the day-to-day activities of the Company are carried out in a manner consistent with its goals and objectives. Mr. Feinberg's full biography is available upon request.

"The Washington National Opera family extends its sincerest thanks to Ken Feinberg for his service," stated General Director Plácido Domingo. "We are fortunate to have a president so deeply committed to the art form and to the well-being of Company, and I am very happy that we will continue to work together."

Commenting on behalf of the Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Executive Committee Jacqueline Badger Mars stated: "Ken Feinberg's tireless work on behalf of Washington National Opera is deeply appreciated and we are all thrilled that he has chosen to continue as president of the Board. Working with General Director Plácido Domingo, the Executive Committee and the WNO staff, Ken's leadership provides stability that is critical for the company as it continues to strive and achieve artistic excellence coupled with fiscal responsibility."

In March 2010, the Board of Trustees amended its bylaws to allow for extensions of all Board-appointed officer positions beyond the four-year term limit (two, two-year consecutive terms). The amendment enabled the Board to approve Mr. Feinberg's third term as president. He serves on the Executive Committee whose officers include Mrs. Mars, Chairman Jane Lipton Cafritz, Treasurer Hank Gutman, and Secretary Marcia V. Mayo.

Also announced at the Board of Trustee's Annual Meeting were new at-large members of the Executive Committee: Ellen S. Berelson, James A. Feldman, Anne R. Kline-Pohanka and Mrs. Alexander J. Tachmindji. Additionally, Marcia V. Mayo was appointed to a second term as Secretary of the Executive Committee. New board members who joined during the Company's 2009-10 season and were announced at the Annual Meeting include: R. Leslie Deak, Mrs. Robert F. Bennett, Constance J. Milstein and Jill Cooper Udall.

About Washington National Opera
Founded in 1956, Washington National Opera is recognized as one of America's leading opera companies. Under the leadership of Plácido Domingo since 1996, WNO continues to build on its rich history by offering operas of the highest artistic quality, balancing popular grand opera with new and infrequently performed works. In addition, WNO fulfills its mission by serving as a vital resource throughout the DC metro area, bringing opera to a broad and diverse public through its award-winning education and community programs.

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