news-record.com

GREENSBORO – With Wednesday’s departure of president and CEO Jeanie Duncan, the United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro has tapped another staffer to fill the post on an interim basis.

Altina Layman, council marketing and community affairs director, will lead the fund-raising and advocacy organization until its board of directors names a new president and CEO.

Layman, who came to the council in November 2007, declined to say whether she also is a candidate for the post. She brings 15 years of marketing experience, and previously served as editor and art director for BizLife magazine.

She has led efforts to build First Fridays, when downtown galleries and shops stay open late, and managed installation of the Coffee Cup Collaborative sculpture project.

The council board also has hired Tim Goetz as the part-time campaign manager for the United Arts Fund. The annual fund drive raises money to support local arts efforts.

Goetz was the founding executive director of the Greensboro Children’s Museum, then community affairs manager at the American Express Service Center.

Duncan has worked with the arts council for 13 years, the last six as its leader.

She announced in September that she would depart in late November, saying that she had accomplished what she had set out to do.

During Duncan’s tenure as CEO, the council raised nearly $9.5 million. Much of the money has gone in grants to nonprofit organizations, artists and teachers.

The council also undertook strategic planning that resulted in the re-engineering of its annual grants process.

With staff and board leaders, “We have accomplished many great things — a new grant model, significantly growing fundraising, and incubating a new public art program,” Duncan said Wednesday.

She said that she had no other post in mind, but will take a few months to explore other areas of interest. “Hopefully that process will help shape what comes next,” Duncan said.

To find her permanent replacement, the council retained The McAuley Firm, a Charlotte-based executive search firm.

The council’s search committee has begun to interview candidates, and plans to announce its selection in January.

Contact Dawn DeCwikiel-Kane at 373-5204 or dawn.kane@news-record.com