A Victoria businessman has been named the new president of the Foundation for the Victoria Symphony.
Steve McKerrell has been elected to lead the foundation.
“I was happy, I believe I have the necessary skills to help them guide the foundation along the way,” said McKerrell. “I think the important thing is to prudently invest donors funds to provide for sustainable operation of the symphony and also build the endowment for future initiatives.”
McKerrell has been volunteering for three decades, including co-chairing one of the first recycling programs in Canada, serving several years on the board of the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria and chairing its foundation, serving as founding board member of Arts Sustainability Victoria and governor of Glenlyon Norfolk School Board.
He was also involved with the Victoria Foundation, two years of which he served as chair.
“We searched widely for someone with all of the required characteristics, experience and managing endowments, public spiritedness and interest in music,” said Harry Swain, board president of the Victoria Symphony Society.
“He has had a long interest in the arts and classical music. I think we will have long-sighted and highly professional management of the foundation [under McKerrell].”
McKerrell takes over for Eric Charman, who was with the foundation for decades. Charman retired in 2014.
The Foundation for the Victoria Symphony holds endowment and reserve funds to support the Victoria Symphony Society. The symphony is Vancouver Island's largest and most active performing arts organization.