(Owensboro, KY – Friday, October 18) – The Board of Directors of RiverPark Center are happy to announce the unanimous approval and appointment of Rich Jorn as Executive Director of RiverPark Center. The search process began in May of this year with the Board’s decision to contract with Margaret Genovese of Genovese, Vanderhoof and Associates an international search firm specializing in placing executives of cultural institutions.
Doug Field, co-chair of the Executive Director Search Task Force said “The selection of Mr. Jorn as the new Executive Director of the RiverPark Center was the culmination of a months-long national search process that included not only local candidates in Kentucky and neighboring states, but qualified candidates from coast to coast and border to border. Rich was our first choice and the search task force is confident that he will be a fantastic addition to RiverPark and the Owensboro community.”
“Rich has the right kind of connections with promoters and touring productions, as well as a deep commitment to education and community partnerships. I know he is excited about being in a larger market and is passionate about making a positive impact in Owensboro. We are delighted to have him as the new leader of RiverPark Center” said Jeff Ebelhar, RiverPark Center’s Chair of the Board of Directors. “His wealth of knowledge and programming experience will bring a much wider variety of offering to RiverPark Center.”
With more than two decades of arts management and production experience, Mr. Jorn was most recently the Artistic Director of the Effingham Performing Arts Center in Effingham, IL. He will begin his tenure at RiverPark Center on Monday, November 4.
“I am honored and very excited to be named Executive Director of RiverPark Center. I intend to continue your wonderful tradition of bringing quality entertainment to the area while expanding RiverPark’s impact on the region. I look forward to joining the Owensboro community and enjoying all it has to offer.” said Mr. Jorn
Rich is originally from the St. Louis area and trained in theater at Arkansas State University where he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre. He has worked in multiple facilities and is a passionate advocate for the arts.