Galligan: 'I've accomplished what I set out to do' at Ordway

The Ordway in St. Paul
The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul.
MPR Photo/Chris Roberts

David Galligan, President and CEO of the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul, announced that he will leave the organization Friday. Current Ordway board chair Jeff Bakken will step down from the board to fill Galligan's absence as interim president and CEO.

Under Galligan's leadership, contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations rose 65 percent. The Ordway recently received $7.5 million from the State Legislature and $500,000 from the City of St. Paul. Galligan says this financial backing made it easier for him to decide to leave.

"I feel as though I have accomplished what I have set out to do. And that's a wonderful feeling," said Galligan. "And I set out to get the Ordway on sound financial footing, extend our reach into the donor community, secure public funding, and kind of broaden and deepen our community connections."

Galligan says he intends to take a few months off and has no immediate career plans. He talked with MPR's Greta Cunningham.

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