During this week’s episode of The Colorado Sound, I alluded to knowledge that former Swallow Hill CEO Tom Sharf was going to be named as the new Music Programs Director for the Bohemian Foundation. I met Tom just as he was becoming CEO at Swallow Hill about eight years ago I guess… great guy who did an incredible job there. I can’t wait to see what he does in Fort Collins and beyond with Bohemian. Watch for an episode of Offstage Beyond the Music with Tom before the end of 2015.
So, because the show is produced a couple of days in advance of the week it airs, I did not have official confirmation that I could share. Well, here it is .. it came in this afternoon… straight from the Bohemian Foundation itself.
#onestokedgoat
FORT COLLINS, Colo., Aug. 7, 2015 – Bohemian Foundation today announced it has selected Tom Scharf, former CEO of Denver non-profit Swallow Hill Music, to lead Bohemian Foundation’s Music Programs.
Scharf will start his new position at Bohemian Foundation Aug. 31, succeeding current music programs director, Kristen Karabensh.
“Tom Scharf is a professional with outstanding credentials and non-profit experience,” Bohemian Foundation Executive Director Cheryl Zimlich said. “We look forward to his leadership for the next phase of Music Programs’ development. This is an exciting new hire for our organization.”
Scharf served in the top role at Swallow Hill from 2007-2014. Under his direction, the nonprofit more than doubled its patronage, more than quadrupled its top-line revenues, built key strategic partnerships and dramatically increased its local and national profile. Swallow Hill is a 36-year-old organization that runs music education programs and produces music performances in the Denver area, including concerts at its own venues, the Denver Botanic Gardens and the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities.
“Bohemian Foundation is an organization aligned with my values,” said Scharf. “I truly believe that music can build community, and the foundation’s work is helping to do just that. I’m looking forward to advancing Music Programs initiatives, to becoming a part of the Fort Collins community and to being immersed in the burgeoning local music scene.”
Karabensh, who has served Bohemian Foundation for the past four years, will remain with the foundation through September, then will relocate out-of-state with her family. Zimlich credited Karabensh for positioning the foundation’s Music Programs for growth and for developing an excellent staff.
Bohemian Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2001. Based in Fort Collins, Colo., Bohemian Foundation works to empower citizens and impact communities through its responsive grant making programs and special initiatives. Visit bohemianfoundation.org for information about the foundation’s work.
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