Syracuse Symphony hires new leader

CNY Business Journal (1996+), May 12, 2006 by Rombel, Adam

SYRACUSE - The Syracuse Symphony Orchestra (SSO) looked outside and Downstate to find a new executive director. Central New York's largest cultural organization, with an annual budget of over $6 million, has hired Karen Gahl-Mills, executive director of the $1.3 million Westchester Philharmonic in White Plains, to be its new leader.

She takes over July 31, replacing Jeffry J. Comanici, who became assistant dean for advancement for the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University in early April. Comanici was an inside hire when he was tapped to be the SSO's executive director in the summer of 2002, having served as its director of development for nearly three years before that.

Following Gahl-Mills' appointment, Interim Executive Director Richard Decker will resume his responsibilities as vice president and general manager of the SSO.

Gahl-Mills, tells The Central New York Business Journal that she's stepping up to the next level with her move to Syracuse.

"Looking at my own career path, you want to look to advance to the next level," she says. "[The SSO] is the premier institution of its size around."

Since Gahl-Mills joined the Westchester Philharmonic in July 2003, the organization has generated record ticket sales, a 34-percent increase in individual donations, and an 80-percent reduction in its operating deficit, according to the SSO.

Prior to her current position, she was the managing director of The Rhythm Cafe, Inc., a music-production company in Chicago, and she served as the development manager for the Ravinia Festival, the summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Gahl-Mills says she was drawn to her new position because of the "strong connection that the Syracuse Symphony has made with the Syracuse community." She notes the concerts the orchestra holds in Cortland, Rome, Watertown, and other communities outside its Syracuse concert hall.

"It's crucial that a community support an orchestra and an orchestra Support a community. I think you folks are doing it tight in Syracuse," she adds.

Gahl-Mills earned a bachelor's degree in music from DePaul University, where she studied to play the cello and be a vocalist.

But other than some freelance assignments with some symphony orchestras, she says she's not a musician.

"I learned very early that my skills were as an administrator," GahlMills says.

She has been in the arts-management business since 1990, both on the for-profit and non-profit sides. Gahl-Mills earned her MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.

In Syracuse, her task will be to manage all the administrative activities of the SSO, including its $6.1 million budget and its professional staff of 16 full-time and 10 part-time employees, as well as to raise funds. The Syracuse Symphony says it has achieved balanced budgets in each of the past seven years and record-setting ticket sales. Gahl-Mills is looking to continue that track record.

When asked to name one big initiative she wants to pursue with the SSO, she says, "Ask me that question a year from

now."

She says she plans to get to know everybody before making big plans.

The SSO says its search for a new executive director attracted candidates both nationally and internationally. Gahl-Mills was the unanimous choice of the search committee, which was headed by board member and Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District Superintendent Alice Kendrick. The committee also contained representatives from the SSO board, staff, and musicians.

Syracuse Symphony officials declined to disclose the length of GahlMills' contract.

Last November, the SSO extended Music Director Daniel Hege's contract through the 2008-2009 season. He's currently in his seventh season with the symphony.

"I am very pleased that Karen will be joining the SSO family," said Hege. "Her business and leadership skills combined with her musical background will be a valuable asset to the SSO and I look forward to working with her in continuing our mission of bringing world-class music to the communities we serve."

During its 39-week season, the Syracuse Symphony's 79-member orchestra performs for more than 225,000 audience members through 193 full-orchestra and ensemble concerts in 18 counties throughout New York State.