The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra today announced an interim president and chief executive officer. Ralph Craviso, a consultant specializing in work with non-profits, will take the position on October 1. Current President and CEO Charles Owens, who has been in the position for eight years, announced in June that he would step down on September 30.

Craviso's name might be familiar to RPO followers: he conducted the study of the problems at the RPO in 2012 and headed the “intervention” efforts between then Music Director Arild Remmereit and Owens. That work led to the Remmereit’s dismissal.

"While we're still conducting a national search to find a full-time replacement, we are grateful to have Mr. Craviso taking the temporary reins," says Jules Smith, the RPO board chair.

Craviso, who runs a management consulting firm, Craviso & Associates, has worked with more than 60 symphony orchestras across the country, and is also the director of a master's program in performing arts administration at Roosevelt University's Chicago College of Performing Arts.

Craviso is a specialist in working with non-profits across the US with a focus on human resources, specifically organizational assessment and reorganization, labor relations strategy, compensation and benefits design, and pensions and retiree health benefit planning. He has been a board member for organizations as diverse as the Employment Policy Foundation and the Dallas Symphony Association.