By ROB NOVIT
Tom Hofstetter, the founder and chairman of the Aiken Performing Arts Group Board, is stepping down from the leadership role.
He will be succeeded by board member Tony Ateca, who will serve as president and CEO of the organization. Ateca is a senior vice president as Security Federal Bank.
For the past eight years, Hofstetter has led the APAG Board in bringing musical programs to Aiken - as well as establishing education outreach opportunities to the public schools.
An investment businessman by trade, Hofstetter, 80, has enjoyed a lifelong love of music.
"I'm a classical music guy," he said, "but I'm open to all aspects of it. I'm especially proud that APAG may be the largest volunteer education outreach organization in the state, bringing music to somewhere between 5,000 to 8,000 students."
Ateca, familiar to many Aiken County residents for his stage work with the Aiken Community Playhouse, said he expects Hofstetter to remain active with APAG and the board.
"Tom is obviously a legacy as the founder and driving force for APAG," Ateca said. "I appreciate how he has reached out to the schools - bringing (musical) instruments to them and exposing children to music who have not had that kind of opportunity before."
APAG's origins emerged from a 2002 request from now-retired Aiken City Manager Roger LeDuc, who asked Hofstetter to explore ways to expand the use of the URS Center for the Performing Arts. APAG began as a committee of the Aiken Corporation in 2004 before becoming a stand-alone nonprofit the following year.
During Hofstetter's tenure, the Performing Arts Group has brought modern dance companies to Aiken, as well as jazz, classical music and opera. The National Symphony Orchestra appearance in 2008 produced a gift of more than $32,000 to USC Aiken for its music instruction efforts.
From 2005-08, APAG also brought young artists from The Juilliard School to perform and provide master classes and in-school concerts.
Through the "Instruments in the Attic" project, residents of Aiken County donated more than 100 used musical instruments. APAG arranged for their repair and then donated them to public school bands and the USCA band program.
Cathy Traver, APAG's administrator for more than three years, described the opportunity of working with Hofstetter as a great learning experience.
"He has so much knowledge in bringing entertainment to a community," Traver said. "It's really a blessing for me to glean some of that knowledge. He has really tried to train me in how to do contracts and other business aspects. Tony Ateca is also engaged in the arts, and I'm so excited to have him as our new president."
One of the difficult responsibilities for an retiring leader, Hofstetter said, is finding the right person to succeed him.
"I believe Tony is just that person," he said in a prepared statement. "Aside from his considerable management skills, he is grounded in the area of theater arts and understands our business."
Two additional new APAG Board officers are Steve Salzman, first vice president; and Dennis Duerksen, the second vice president.![]()
Tom Hofstetter, the founder and chairman of the Aiken Performing Arts Group Board, is stepping down from the leadership role.
He will be succeeded by board member Tony Ateca, who will serve as president and CEO of the organization. Ateca is a senior vice president as Security Federal Bank.
For the past eight years, Hofstetter has led the APAG Board in bringing musical programs to Aiken - as well as establishing education outreach opportunities to the public schools.
An investment businessman by trade, Hofstetter, 80, has enjoyed a lifelong love of music.
"I'm a classical music guy," he said, "but I'm open to all aspects of it. I'm especially proud that APAG may be the largest volunteer education outreach organization in the state, bringing music to somewhere between 5,000 to 8,000 students."
Ateca, familiar to many Aiken County residents for his stage work with the Aiken Community Playhouse, said he expects Hofstetter to remain active with APAG and the board.
"Tom is obviously a legacy as the founder and driving force for APAG," Ateca said. "I appreciate how he has reached out to the schools - bringing (musical) instruments to them and exposing children to music who have not had that kind of opportunity before."
APAG's origins emerged from a 2002 request from now-retired Aiken City Manager Roger LeDuc, who asked Hofstetter to explore ways to expand the use of the URS Center for the Performing Arts. APAG began as a committee of the Aiken Corporation in 2004 before becoming a stand-alone nonprofit the following year.
During Hofstetter's tenure, the Performing Arts Group has brought modern dance companies to Aiken, as well as jazz, classical music and opera. The National Symphony Orchestra appearance in 2008 produced a gift of more than $32,000 to USC Aiken for its music instruction efforts.
From 2005-08, APAG also brought young artists from The Juilliard School to perform and provide master classes and in-school concerts.
Through the "Instruments in the Attic" project, residents of Aiken County donated more than 100 used musical instruments. APAG arranged for their repair and then donated them to public school bands and the USCA band program.
Cathy Traver, APAG's administrator for more than three years, described the opportunity of working with Hofstetter as a great learning experience.
"He has so much knowledge in bringing entertainment to a community," Traver said. "It's really a blessing for me to glean some of that knowledge. He has really tried to train me in how to do contracts and other business aspects. Tony Ateca is also engaged in the arts, and I'm so excited to have him as our new president."
One of the difficult responsibilities for an retiring leader, Hofstetter said, is finding the right person to succeed him.
"I believe Tony is just that person," he said in a prepared statement. "Aside from his considerable management skills, he is grounded in the area of theater arts and understands our business."
Two additional new APAG Board officers are Steve Salzman, first vice president; and Dennis Duerksen, the second vice president.