The 2015 ArtsWave Community Campaign officially kicks off January 28, but a key group of volunteers has been hard at work for many months behind the scenes.  The Campaign Cabinet includes more than thirty volunteers from across the community led by the Campaign Chair. Selected almost a year in advance, the Campaign Chair works for months with the ArtsWave staff to recruit volunteers, connect with major donors and key workplace campaigns, and identify new potential resources for the campaign.

Being the chair means more than simply making phone calls and signing letters. The chair must be a keen observer of the moment--seeking to understand the economic and cultural forces that are shaping the region at that time--and rally support for the arts across business sectors and communities. This year, ArtsWave is honored to have Tom Williams, President & CEO, North American Properties, as the 2015 ArtsWave Community Campaign Chair.

Tom has led North American Properties since 1986 and has grown the Company from a local owner / developer to a multi-regional real estate operating company that as acquired, developed, and managed more than $4 billion of retail, multifamily, mixed-use and office properties across the United States. Since 2006, Tom has also served as the Vice Chairman and Treasurer for the Cincinnati Reds and his family has a long history with Major League Baseball.

With strong ties to Cincinnati, Tom serves in numerous civic leadership roles, including the Board of Directors for Cincinnati Business Committee, Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC), Cincinnati Equity Fund, Cincinnati Regional Business Committee, The Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority, and REDI Cincinnati.  Tom also serves on the Board of Directors for the Cincinnati Art Museum.

In the months leading up to the campaign’s launch, Tom has brought together a Campaign Cabinet of veteran volunteers and new-to-the-cause business and community leaders.  In particular, Tom has reached out to leaders of mid-size and family-owned businesses in the area. He believes strongly that maintaining a robust campaign will require an expanded base of support. Tom has encouraged the staff and the Cabinet to think of new ways to connect with local businesses and with donors outside of traditional workplace campaigns.

“Our corporate community has long understood the value of supporting the arts, and their strong workplace giving efforts fueled this campaign’s growth for many years,” said Williams.  “Now, we need more local businesses and more community members to join us and make an investment in the region for our collective future.”  

Look for the official announcement of the 2015 campaign goal on January 28 and follow the campaign on Twitter: #Give2ArtsWave.