Ballet Arizona salutes dedication to service of Mr. Thompson
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press
Former Ballet Arizona Board Chair, David I. Thompson has been unanimously appointed “Board Member Emeritus.”
Mr. Thompson joins the ranks of Jacquie Dorrance, Barbara Ottosen, Carol Schilling and Gwen Hills, former board members who are still actively involved in the Ballet Arizona community.
“To be named a board member emeritus is the greatest honor a board can bestow upon a retiring board member,” said Mike Bolar, Ballet Arizona board chair, in a prepared statement. “This honor is earned through a long and dedicated successful service to an organization. Thompson now has the opportunity to remain engaged with the organization, offer advice, stay informed, follow the organization’s evolution, and to offer the lessons of history.”
Mr. Thompson joined Ballet Arizona’s Board of Directors in 2004 and served as chair for the 2019-20 season, in addition to serving as vice chair from the 2016-2017 season to the 2018-2019 season.
“For more than two decades, he has nurtured the organization with his wisdom, leadership and dedication,” said Carol Schilling, board chairman emerita.
“David has been a true pillar of strength for Ballet Arizona. He helped write the history of the organization at several key turning points: reuniting the school with the dance company, helping secure funding for the company’s signature production ‘The Nutcracker,’ chairing the board through pivotal times, finding a new physical home for the organization. Through it all, he has been and remains a quiet and legendary figure for Ballet Arizona.”
Mr. Thompson also served as board secretary for the 2015-2016 season. He has over 40 years of experience in law practice, specializing in providing legal advice and translating expertise to medium-sized businesses and healthcare companies of all kinds.
“I began my relationship with Ballet Arizona as a ‘ballet dad,’” said Mr. Thompson.
“My daughter clicked with the passionate and committed teachers at the school and I clicked with the community leaders who supported Ib [Andersen] and his team in bringing Ballet Arizona into the forefront of American ballet companies. Having chaired the board as we headed into the Great Recession of 2008-2009, and then again as we began to confront COVID in 2020, I sometimes feel like a walking bad-luck charm for the company!”
“In all seriousness though,” he added, “I have always gained much more from my association with Ballet Arizona than I have given.”
Ballet Arizona is the official ballet company of the state of Arizona, whose mission is to create, perform and teach outstanding classical and contemporary ballet.
“On behalf of the entire artistic team at Ballet Arizona, we are truly grateful for David and the board of directors for their continued commitment to the organization,” said Mr. Andersen, Ballet Arizona’s artistic director. “David’s guidance and support has helped the organization navigate some crucial moments throughout its history, including the COVID-19 pandemic.”
