In what looked to be a risky move last April, the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra (MSO) hired Flowood Chamber of Commerce executive director Janet Reihle as its new chief executive. Reihle had limited music background (piano) and had attended only a few outdoor orchestral events.
Indeed, she was a surprise applicant. As chamber exec she had been invited to participate in the search process where she shared her perspective on efforts to connect MSO with Rankin County schools plus some ideas for marketing and collaboration with the Mississippi Tourism Association. A month later MSO invited her to apply. “Hiring Janet was an innovative step for MSO,” explained Hugh Parker, co-chairman of the search committee. “But her broad background managing not-for-profit organizations, energizing her community, engaging young people, and increasing attendance at events made her the logical choice. Also significant, she listens.” |
| Credit: Mississippi Symphony Orchestra |
The offer came as no surprise in Flowood. “Janet is one of the best at what she does,” said Shane’ Dubois, a senior vice president at Community Bank of Mississippi, the chamber president who hired Reihle. “She knew how to engage businesses and excite the community.” This column results from Reihle’s appearance recently at the North Jackson Rotary Club. There her vivacious presentation filled with meticulous information about MSO – its diverse music and events, engagement in schools, statewide outreach, and more – after just six months on the job, captivated attendees. She was doing what she does best – storytelling. “Storytelling creates emotional connections and builds awareness,” she divulged in an interview. At the chamber, “we told hundreds of important stories about our members.” Among her other skills transferable to MSO, she listed community engagement, growing participation, recruiting and developing talent, and empowering staff. “It’s all about people, purpose, and connection,” she said.
Her greatest strength she described as relationship-building. “I am able to connect people to a mission, to each other, and to a larger sense of purpose.”
Missing an executive director since Jenny Mann departed last November, MSO leadership seems ecstatic to have Reihle on board.
Calling Reihle “one of the most authentic people I had encountered,” Beverly Wage Hogan, the MSO Board chair and former Tougaloo College president, asserted, “I believe our selection of Janet as the president of the MSO is one of our best decisions.” MSO Treasurer Thomas Parry, concurred saying, “I am so impressed with Janet’s leadership skills and work ethic.”
For her part, Reihle prefers to tell stories about MSO’s new relationship with Mississippi Public Broadcasting, live-streaming to assisted living communities, and MSO’s “outstanding” musicians, “excellent” staff and “dedicated” board and symphony league members.
“One generation shall commend your works to another” – Psalm 145:4.
Crawford is an author and syndicated columnist from Jackson.
1 comment:
Not saying this is a bad hire. Just curious, but what’s her educational background?
Also, you have you make unusual hires like this in MS when the best and brightest leave the state. Brain drain.
Best of luck to her in a difficult situation.
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