The Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts announced today that Jay Michaels will join the organization Saturday as the new executive director.
Michaels is “a proven leader in the entertainment field, with extensive experience in radio, advertising, management, community relations, concert/event management, interactive marketing, promotional marketing and fundraising events, among other relevant skills,” according to the news release from the center.
“We are pleased to have Jay join our team during this very exciting time at the Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts,” said John Hand, president of the board of the directors. “We have a lot on our plate. We just completed our most successful summer season, are embarking on a critical capital campaign and we are getting ready to kick off an exciting fall season, with our Symphony of the Lakes, Center Street Community Theatre and Wagon Wheel Junior all rehearsing exciting shows.”
Michaels will report to the board of directors, the release states.
In other personnel news at WWCA, Holly Lantz has accepted the promotion to chief operating officer, reporting to Michaels.
Lantz joined the organization in 2015 as bookkeeper and has most recently helped out as the interim executive director when Will Dawson resigned to take a position in Virginia Beach at the Christian Broadcasting Network. According to Peter Christos, treasurer of the board of directors, Lantz offers a unique opportunity to the WWCA with her master’s degree in performing arts management.
“Since starting with us a few years ago, she has proven herself as a critical resource for managing the financials of the organization,” Christos said.
According Jill Serbousek, vice president of the board of directors, the addition of Michaels and promotion of Lantz represent its need to expand management talent as a key to its future goals.
“While we have been expanding our premier arts and cultural programming, we needed help with introducing these incredible shows to new audiences across the region,” Serbousek said.
