"Working with Michelle and her team allowed us to be honest with who we are," said Tom Pridonoff, Pacific Chorale's Board Chair. "We have strengths and weaknesses like any other organization and there are areas where we need improvement. With MW&A's guidance, we took a very close look and saw what we really needed to lead our organization administratively."

 

During the search process, the board focused on a number of requirements, including the crucial importance of a harmonious working relationship between Artistic Director Rob Istad and a new CEO.  " The reality in organizations like  ours is that the artistic director has a vision and if their vision can't be realized, the artistic director goes where that can happen. The CEO must possess the business acumen to not only realize the vision but also sustain the viability of the organization. MW&A did an excellent job in making sure we found that match. Michelle understood how our staff works and was extremely helpful in offering candidates who would really fit with us,"  said Pridonoff.

MW&A presented a number of qualified candidates for consideration and the position was ultimately offered to Andrew Brown, formerly the Chief Operating Officer of the Los Angeles Master Chorale.   Brown brought with him more than 17 years of experience with the LA Master Chorale, working in both operations and education, and although he felt like he was leaving family, he was ready to take the next step in his career. He  expressed gratitude to MW&A for their support during the search process.

 

"Michelle's knowledge of the Pacific Chorale's staff and organization was invaluable to me during the search process as it allowed me to come into the position with eyes wide open and excited for the opportunity," said Brown. " Michelle

	Pacific Chorale's New CEO, Andrew Brown

knows Rob and is astutely aware of his vision. This along with her understanding of my background, my skills and my similar vision allowed her to be a matchmaker so to speak. Her ability to facilitate the interviews, which included Rob, was absolutely imperative because of the importance of the rapport and the collaboration between the artistic director and CEO. And, I felt that instantly with him. A lot of that came from the fact that MWA brought out our strengths and interests, cutting to the chase."

Brown joined Pacific Chorale as CEO in early December, the busiest time of the year for choral performance groups and a time in which he felt was the absolute best for starting his career with the organization. "December is a very busy time in the choral world, so this was a perfect time to start and see the organization in action; to see what is working well and where we might need improvement. I'm ready to dig into the strategic plan that has been simmering, just waiting for the new CEO. We'll jump right into the frying pan so to speak," Brown said.

Pridonoff is also anticipating an exciting New Year. "For the board, the entire process went very quickly, we were at a place that we needed to get going and MW&A made that happen which we very much appreciated. Michelle and her team were reachable and willing to work with us efficiently and quickly to get the job from engagement to finish. I'm looking forward to see what the board, Andy and Rob will do to together to advance our organization. We are ready to fly."