ArtsinStark CEO David Whitehill resigns: 'Time for me to embrace new challenges'

CANTON ? David Whitehill has resigned as CEO and president of ArtsinStark.

After nearly three years on the job, Whitehill said he's leaving the post "to embrace new challenges and opportunities" and is proud of the nonprofit organization's achievements in the local arts community.

"I believe it's crucial for any leader to continuously evolve and grow in their career," Whitehill said in an email when contacted by The Canton Repository about his resignation. "Stepping down at this juncture enables a seamless transition to new leadership, allowing the organization to infuse fresh perspectives and ideas."

In a letter Wednesday sent to ArtsinStark "donors and constituents," Christopher Goff, the agency's board chairman, announced the leadership change.

Whitehill's resignation was effective Tuesday.

Goff also announced that Emil Alecusan has been appointed interim president and CEO of ArtsinStark, which advocates and provides funding for local arts organizations and programs while overseeing the Cultural Center for the Arts in downtown Canton.

The ArtsinStark executive committee will lead the search for a new CEO and president "with an eye initially toward seeking candidates with roots to Stark County and Northeast Ohio before looking beyond the region, if necessary," Goff's letter said.

Paramount for the next ArtsinStark leader will be "the requisite skills for leading a countywide arts council, running an annual fundraising campaign, distributing grants to nonprofit arts organizations, collaborating with various community stakeholders ... executing a long-term strategic plan for the ArtsinStark campus, and working with community and elected leaders to achieve economic development through the arts," Goff said.

The board thanked Whitehill "for his efforts in managing the organization through the pandemic, including assuming operational responsibility for the theater space formerly occupied by the Players Guild, preparing the campus for new greenspace and making improvements to the Cultural Center assets."

Goff told The Repository that he didn't "have any insight as to David's reason for resignation."

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Proud of ArtsinStark achievements

Prior to beginning the Canton job in January 2021, Whitehill had spent eight years as executive director of the Asheville Symphony in North Carolina. Before that, he had led arts organizations in Bangor, Maine, and Orange County, California.

Whitehill succeeded Robb Hankins, who announced his departure as ArtsinStark CEO in September 2020.

Whitehill said "it has been an absolute privilege to be part of the vibrant and creative community served by ArtsinStark."

"I take immense pride in the accomplishments we've achieved together, such as revamping our grant program to emphasize the role of the arts in community development, with a focus on strategic priorities like arts in education, healthcare, regional vitality and tourism," he said in his written comments. "Moreover, I'm especially excited (about) ArtsinStark’s investment in the Cultural Center for the Arts campus by the transformation of Ninth Street between Cleveland and Market into a public greenspace, and along with many community partners the long-awaited realization of an enduring home for EN-RICH-MENT (Fine Arts Academy)."

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Janet Weir Creighton: 'I know he will land on his feet.'

ArtsinStark board member Janet Weir Creighton praised Whitehill's contributions to the agency and arts community.

"David came in at a very difficult time," the Stark County commissioner and former ArtsinStark board chairwoman said Thursday. "It was when COVID was beginning and then went to its height, and we appreciate the efforts he has taken to move the arts forward in so many ways.

"Personally, I wish him well and his family, and I know he will land on his feet, and this is a decision his family has made."

Former Brewster Cheese executive is interim ArtsStark CEO

Alecusan is the retired chief financial officer of Brewster Cheese, "where he enjoyed a long and successful career as part of the leadership team for the world's largest producer of Swiss cheese," Goff's memo said.

He also has served as board chairman for Aultman Health Foundation and ArtsinStark. The former Canton City Schools board member currently serves on the Mayor's Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee for the city of Canton.

"My interest in utilizing the arts in our community is based on the results that I see in improving academic achievement of students, improving the physical and mental well-being of those individuals with health conditions," Alecusan said in a prepared statement. "And how the arts can support tourism and other community efforts to make our county stronger."

Reach Ed at 330-580-8315 and [email protected]. On X (formerly Twitter) @ebalintREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: ArtsinStark CEO David Whitehill resigns as Canton arts leader