The Tucson Symphony Orchestra on Wednesday named an insider as its new president/CEO.
Thomas J. McKinney, the orchestra’s vice president of development, replaces outgoing TSO President/CEO Mark Blakeman, who is leaving April 12 after three years to head up the new McKnight Center for the Performing Arts at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater.
McKinney joined the orchestra in September 2015 after a 30-year career working with nonprofit organizations, including the YMCA and Make A Wish Foundation in Minnesota, where he lived for more than 10 years.
“I’m really excited,” McKinney said of his new role, which he called “the most unique job that I’ve had.”
TSO Board Chairman Cecile Follansbee, in a written release, praised McKinney as a driving force in the orchestra’s three-year strategic community engagement program to “educate and transform our community with music.”
“Tom’s experience in development and management makes him a perfect fit for the TSO,” Follansbee said in the release. “His love of this community, his belief in the power of music and strong leadership skills are exactly right for the Tucson Symphony at this time.”
McKinney, a New England native, worked closely with Blakeman on the orchestra’s strategic plan that focuses on community engagement and outreach.
“One of my primary things is to truly follow through with that plan,” he said. “It’s extremely insightful.”
McKinney was part of a team that interviewed community members to gauge how to make the orchestra more relevant in the community. Ideas included working with border communities, holding an annual free concert, commissioning new works and working with young musicians and artists.
McKinney has deep Tucson ties going back to the 1980s, when he was a teenager working with then-Tucson-based Up with People. He spent several years with the organization in a variety of positions.
His wife Dee Dee Connel has even deeper ties; she graduated from Canyon del Oro High School and played bassoon with the Tucson Philharmonia Youth Orchestra as a teen.
The couple has four children between them. McKinney will assume the CEO post on April 3.
