DENVER – March 12 – Swallow Hill Music announced today that Paul M. Lhevine has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the 36-year-old Colorado home for roots, folk and acoustic music. Mr. Lhevine’s appointment comes at the end of a six-month national search guided by Arts Consulting Group. He will begin his duties at Swallow Hill Music on April 6.
“On behalf of our entire music community, we are excited to welcome Paul as our new CEO,” said Swallow Hill Music Board Chairman, Saul Rosenthal. “Paul brings a commitment to innovation, a love of music and a remarkable record of success in community outreach, leadership and civic engagement to his new position. We expect great things from Paul as he builds on the significant growth Swallow Hill Music has enjoyed these last six years and leads our organization to new heights.”
Mr. Lhevine comes to Swallow Hill Music from the Aurora Public Schools Foundation (APSF), where he served as Executive Director while also performing duties as Director of External Affairs for the school district. During his tenure at APSF, he is credited with increasing revenues, developing significant private/public/non-profit philanthropic relationships and launching new programs, such as the Future Center Initiative, which will support a new college-and career-bound student culture in each of Aurora Public Schools’ high schools.
“I am coming to Swallow Hill Music for the opportunity to build on the incredible reputation the organization enjoys and help introduce the remarkable work taking place there to new audiences and supporters,” said Mr. Lhevine. “My passion for this position comes from my connection to our community, my intense desire to affect change – especially in our disadvantaged communities – as well as my own personal love of music.”
A graduate of Vermont Law School and Colorado College, Mr. Lhevine has served in volunteer roles with Colorado College’s Public Interest Fellowship Program, PEBC and the Aurora Public Schools Foundation, and is an alumnus of Leadership Denver, a program of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce Leadership Foundation.
Mr. Lhevine’s early career experience included working on campaign finance reform efforts at the National Civic League, managing congressional campaigns in Colorado and Alabama and serving as a legislative assistant to Congresswoman Diana DeGette. Mr. Lhevine also managed Hickenlooper for Mayor in 2003. Later, as a political consultant, he led Romer for State Senate, Coalition for a Better Colorado, and assisted the American Red Cross Mile High Chapter with their legislative objectives.
From 2006-2008 he served as Chief Operating Officer of the Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee and from 2008-2011 he served as Senior Vice President for Donor Relations and Chief Operating Officer for Mile High United Way.
David Pinkert and Catherine Teutsch, members of the Swallow Hill Music Board of Directors, led the search committee, which included board members Donald Davidoff, Chris Frank, Jason Robinson and Saul Rosenthal. Debbie Linster, Swallow Hill Music’s CFO, represented the staff on the search committee.
“We want to thank all of the committee members for their tremendous service during this demanding and very successful search,” said Pinkert and Teutsch. “And we also want to thank Gwen Burak who, in addition to serving as Swallow Hill Music’s Director of Marketing, took on the additional duties of Acting CEO during this search period and did an outstanding job.”