business
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
December 11-17, 2013
Page C-2
People On The MOVE
Michigan Opera Theatre names Wayne S. Brown president and chief executive officer
Mr. Kenneth W. Donaldson- BUF President & CEO- Mr. Gregory Jackson- President & CEO Prestige Automotive Group (Home Grown Success Awardee & Guest Speaker) & Larry Patrick- BUF Board Chairman
Jackson
From page C-1
year between 2003 and 2008. The editors named Prestige Automotive Group Dealer of the Year in 2006. In 2008, Mercedes-Benz named Prestige Automotive Group as winner of its Best of the Best award.
“We are thrilled to have a man of Wayne Brown’s experience and vision to take over the role that David has so capably carried out for so many years,” said Rick Williams, MOT chairman. “And we are delighted that David will continue as artistic director, the role that’s always been closest to his heart.” DiChiera announced in February that he planned to step down from his role as general director to focus on the artistic and production side of the theatre. A search committee, including Dr. DiChiera, has been reviewing and interviewing candidates for the position since that time. Brown was the committee’s unanimous and enthusiastic choice to join David as the organization moves into the next chapter in its development.
In addition, Jackson served two terms as president of the General Motors Minority Dealers Association (GMMDA). He also served on the GMMDA Board of Directors for seven years, was a member of the Board of Directors for the Automotive Hall of Fame; was first vice chairman of the Board of Directors for the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers; and was a council member of the General Motors Minority Dealer Advisory Council.
“We considered a variety of candidates with a variety of backgrounds, candidates from across the country, and none of them equaled Wayne’s level of experience and enthusiasm for the job. He has a glittering professional record, is a nationally recognized and respected figure in the arts community, and is as thrilled to be coming home to Detroit as we are to have him,” Williams said.
Jackson is an active member of the National ership — Prestige PonAutomobile Dealers Assotiac-Oldsmobile in Mt. ciation and several other Morris, Michigan, near Fl auto industry groups. int. His career as an entreJackson participates preneur began in childin events as a speaker hood, when he delivered and seminar facilitator newspapers door-to-door for public schools, busifor the Detroit Free Press. ness and community By early adulthood, he groups, and has been a had formed The Kastleguest lecturer at the Harton Company and began vard University and Atbaking and selling spelanta University graduate cialty cookies at eight reschools of business. He gional Kastleton-owned is a former member of retail locations. the Board of Directors of But when a more the Rainbow PUSH Coalihealth-conscious public tion; the Board of Trustbecame less interested in ees of Morris Brown Colpricey treats, he entered lege; a lifetime member the GM Minority Dealer of the NAACP; and is a Training program, gradu- consistent supporter of ating in 1989. He learned the United Negro College the business by working Fund (UNCF) and a host to for a number of dealer- UNCF fundraisers at his ships in a wide array of dealerships on behalf of jobs. deserving African-AmeriIn September 1993, he can students. purchased his first deal-
Wayne S. Brown, director of music and opera for the National Endowment for the Arts since 1997 and a native Detroiter, has been named president and CEO of the Michigan Opera Theatre (MOT) effective Jan. 1. He succeeds David DiChiera who founded MOT in 1971 and has served as general director of the theatre since its inception. Dr. DiChiera will remain as artistic Wayne S. Brown director.
In addition, he is a
member of the Music Hall Board of Directors and a Henry Ford Health System Foundation trustee. He has been a devoted life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. since March 26, 1977, when he was accepted into Beta Delta Chapter at Morris Brown College. Gregory Jackson resides in Detroit and during his leisure time, enjoys playing golf, watching sports and spending time with his family. While he has enjoyed a career full of success, the married father of two says his greatest accomplishment is “raising two honest, trustworthy, respectful, hard-working, caring and loving young adults.” For further information, visit www.prestigeautomotive.com.
In addition to managing grants for music and opera projects at the NEA, Brown directed the NEA Jazz Masters Fellowships, the nation’s highest honor in jazz. Prior to his affiliation with the NEA he served as producer of
music programs for the Cultural Olympiad in Atlanta where he managed music events associated with the 1996 Olympic Games. He also is a former executive director of the Louisville Orchestra and was a founding member of the Magic in Music advisory committee for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Brown began his career with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra where he was instrumental in bringing about the DSO’s first annual Classical Roots Concert. He is a graduate of the Music School at the University of Michigan. “Coming home to Michigan to be part of the city’s transformation and to work side-by-side with a legend like David DiChiera is a huge honor for me,” said Brown. “It’s an opportunity of a lifetime and I look forward to building on the enormous strides David, the board and the staff have made in making MOT one of the premier opera companies in the United States. I can’t wait to get started.” “This is a win-win situation for Wayne, for David, for MOT and for the city of Detroit,” Williams said. “David has been the inspiration and the power behind MOT for decades and we’re blessed that he wants to continue to play an active role. Having Wayne here to lead the team, direct day-to-day operations, and build the plan for the future was our major priority and will allow David to focus on the part of the business he loves most. We couldn’t have asked for a better outcome.” Underscoring the enthusiasm over the announcement, Marc Scorca, president of Opera America, said, “The appointment of Wayne Brown as president and CEO of Michigan Opera Theatre is tremendously exciting. Wayne will arrive at the company with an established national reputation, an incomparable knowledge of artistic trends and best management practices, and an unparalleled level of goodwill among his opera colleagues. He has a long-standing commitment to Detroit and its cultural community and will build on the strong foundation laid by David DiChiera.”
Appointment announced Eastern Market Corporation, the nonprofit that manages Eastern Market on behalf of the City of Detroit, has named La’Leatha Spillers director of marketing and communications. With over 10 years of communications strategy experience, Spillers has built her career in the fields of community engagement, La’Leatha Spillers public relations, advertising and nonprofit communications strategy. Prior to joining Eastern Market, Spillers, was director of marketing and communications with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit (BBBSMD) where she was responsible for overall
brand management including oversight and implementation of communications strategies in both traditional and new media. Recognized as a StayClassy, Top 25 National Young Nonprofit Professional of the Year, La’Leatha Spillers is actively engaged in the metropolitan Detroit community having served as a Big Sister with BBBSMD and as a board member for the Detroit chapter of the Young Nonprofit Professionals. A Leadership Detroit alum, class XXXIV, she is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Pontiac Alumnae chapter, and is a member of the Detroit chapters of the National Association of Black Journalist and the National Black Public Relations Society. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Mass Media/Communications from Wilberforce University and a master’s in Communications Strategy from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Legacy in Motion 2013: Another major success
Photos By David Watkins and Steven Anderson
Hiram E. Jackson and Berry Gordy, Gregory Jackson (left), Mrs. Jackson, Anika Jackson Bishop P.A. Brooks and Madame Lori Maher and Mayor-elect Mike honoree. and Gregory Jackson Jr. Doris Brooks. Duggan.
Ed Gordon, emcee.
US Congressman Gary Councilwoman Saunteel Jen- Bishop J. Drew Sheard (left), Hiram Jackson, Berry Gordy, Bishop P.A. Peters kins and Carl Bentley. Brooks and Bishop Edgar L. Vann.
Valerie K. Reese (left), Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. Pontiac Alumnae Chapter, Marcia D Griffin, Southfield Wayne Thomas (left), Berry Gordy and KimberAlumnae Chapter, and Soraya Williams Farver, Inkster ly Swanson-Thomas. Mosaic Youth Theater of Detroit meets Berry Gordy. Alumnae Chapter.