FAWC Board of Trustees co-chair Hatty Walker Fitts recently made two announcements regarding the future leadership of the Work Center following Executive Director Hunter O'Hanian's upcoming departure in January 2007. A Search Committee has now been formed to find a permanent replacement for O'Hanian, and former FAWC Fellow John Skoyles will serve as Interim Director. O'Hanian, who has served as the Work Center's Director for ten years, announced in October that he will depart in January to begin working as President of the Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Snowmass Village, Colorado.

The Search Committee will consist of Fitts, Board members Roger Skillings, Barbara Kapp, Wayne Lawson and Lynne Kortenhaus, and Marty Michelson, husband of Board member Anne Taylor. Also serving on the Committee will be Visual Arts Coordinator Maryalice Johnston and Education Coordinator, Dorothy Antczak. Interim Director Skoyles will serve as an ex officio member of the Committee. The Committee is currently in the process of selecting a professional firm to conduct the search for a new FAWC Director on a national level. The Board hopes to have a new Executive Director in place by early spring 2007.

Skoyles, a FAWC Poetry Fellow in 1974-'75 and 1975-'76, served as FAWC Executive Director from 1992-'94 and is a former member of the Board of Trustees. He is the former Director of the MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College, and teaches in the Writing, Literature and Publishing Department of Emerson College. Skoyles, who lives in Truro has taught writing workshops in FAWC's Summer Workshop Program.

"We are thrilled to welcome John back to FAWC as Interim Director, Board President Marty Davis said, adding, "We feel confident that he will help ensure a seamless transition at the Work Center as we begin the search for a new Executive Director."

O'Hanian was appointed Executive Director of FAWC in December 1996 and assumed his responsibilities in April 1997. "FAWC has been blessed to have Hunter serve as its Director for so long, but we knew it would not last forever," said Board Co-Chair Hatty Walker Fitts. "We wish him well in his new position and thank him for his years of service to FAWC."

A position description will be posted on the FAWC website, www.FAWC.org, in the near future