The Music Hall Selects ThinkingAhead Executive Search to Lead National Search for Next President & CEO
PORTSMOUTH, NH – January 22, 2026 – The Music Hall today announced that it has selected ThinkingAhead Executive Search to conduct a comprehensive, national search for the organization’s next President & CEO.
In her comments about the search, Jude Blake, The Music Hall’s Chair of the Board of Trustees, states that, “The Music Hall is committed to approaching this with urgency and care. Trust from our community is paramount to our core values of inclusivity and accountability. For this reason, we formed a committee of community members who bring deep experience and a shared commitment to The Music Hall’s future. With ThinkingAhead’s arts and nonprofit expertise, we are confident this next phase of the search will be thorough, inclusive, and aligned with our mission.”
Co-chaired by Board members Megan Davis and Ed Morrell, The Music Hall’s President & CEO Search Committee will partner with ThinkingAhead to support a process that includes stakeholder engagement and broad outreach to qualified candidates nationwide. Jonathan McIntosh, Partner, Nonprofit Practice, will lead the search along with Rachael Holloway, Recruiter, Arts & Culture Practice.
Additional committee members include Board Members Cynthia Fenneman and Brendan Vesey, community members Jamey French and Ceal Anderson (also a longstanding Music Hall volunteer), and Music Hall employee James Paone, whose extensive knowledge of The Music Hall and its mission will ensure the approach remains true to the organization’s vision. Updates will be shared with the community as the search advances, with the goal of appointing a new leader by Q2 2026.
About The Music Hall:
Since 1987, The Friends of The Music Hall, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, has upheld its mission: to present diverse, high-quality arts programming as a vital cultural hub for the Seacoast community. Today, The Music Hall continues to enrich Portsmouth’s cultural fabric with world-class entertainment by generating over $15M in economic impact to the downtown economy.
About ThinkingAhead Executive Search:
ThinkingAhead Executive Search is a nationally recognized boutique firm with more than 20 years of experience partnering with mission-driven organizations to identify and recruit transformative executive leaders. Its Nonprofit Arts & Culture Practice specializes in cultural institutions, performing arts organizations, and community-focused venues.
The search will be led by Jonathan McIntosh, Partner, CPC, who launched and leads ThinkingAhead’s Arts & Culture Practice, and Rachael Holloway, Executive Recruiter, who specializes in executive leadership searches for arts, music, and cultural organizations nationwide. ThinkingAhead has been recognized by national outlets including Forbes, Modern Healthcare Magazine, and Women of Color in Fundraising & Philanthropy for its commitment to equity in executive search.
About The Music Hall Search Committee:
Committee Co-Chair Megan Davis is Secretary of the Board and Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee, with over 30 years of experience leading across the public and private sectors. She also serves as Chief Talent Officer & Executive Vice President at Catalyst Campaign Partners.
Committee Co-Chair Ed Morrell is a Board Member and Chief Business Officer of Music and Event Management, Inc. He has decades of hands-on leadership across venues, talent and complex projects.
Cynthia Fenneman is Vice Chair of the Board and President Emeritus of American Public Television. Her career spans four decades of commercial, cable and public broadcasting experience.
Brendan Vesey is a Trustee of The Music Hall, chef owner of Botanica Restaurant and Gin Bar and local educator at Great Bay Community College.
Jamey French is a community leader, President and CEO of Northland Forest Products, Inc. and founding Vice Chair and Trustee Emeritus of The Music Hall.
James Paone is the Director of Programming for The Music Hall. He has over 8 years of experience managing events and rentals at The Music Hall’s venues and will represent the voice of staff during the search process.
Ceal Anderson is a community leader with extensive experience in the non-profit sphere, including as a Proprietor and committee co-chair at the Portsmouth Athenaeum. She is a Music Hall volunteer and will represent TMH’s volunteer community during the search.