Meet our New President & CEO!

The Omaha Symphony is thrilled to announce that James M. Johnson has accepted the position of president and CEO of the Omaha Symphony. Johnson comes to Nebraska from New York City, where he has served as CEO of The New York Pops for more than 10 years. He will officially start with the organization on June 1, 2011.

“I feel privileged to join this esteemed institution. I cannot imagine a better opportunity,” said Johnson. “The Omaha Symphony is fortunate to have one of the country's great musical leaders in Music Director Thomas Wilkins and a remarkable and creative resident conductor in Ernest Richardson. The incredibly gifted musicians of the orchestra are a great resource for the Omaha community, and I look forward to working with them to find more opportunities to share their gifts.”

Johnson brings more than 25 years of experience in arts management to the Omaha Symphony. In his most recent role with The New York Pops, he managed the artistic, human, and financial resources of the organization, a $2.5 million, 77-piece professional orchestra performing primarily at Carnegie Hall. He forged significant relationships with major corporate funders, civic and charitable organizations, and leading performing artists. Prior to The New York Pops, Johnson served for nearly seven years as director of operations for the Orchestra of St. Luke’s and as general manager of the Martha Graham Dance Company.

Johnson will move to Omaha later this month with his wife and two daughters. “My family and I are eager to move to Omaha. We look forward to joining a community that is so supportive of culture and education—two of the cornerstones of any great city.”