Samantha Teter
The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera on Tuesday appointed Samantha Teter as executive director effective immediately.
Ms. Teter has been serving as interim executive director since former Executive Director Molly Sasse French went on medical leave in November and ultimately announced her resignation effective Jan. 31. Ms. Sasse French had served as executive director since 2007.
“I am honored and excited to be taking on this very important role in the Chattanooga arts community,” said Ms. Teter. “The CSO musicians, staff, and board are top-notch, and I look forward to strengthening the organization alongside them as we expand the CSO’s reach and reputation.” Ms. Teter will work with the CSO board on a new five-year strategic plan, improve financial and organizational processes and procedures, continue work on increasing audiences, and build upon the CSO’s current donor, corporate, and foundation relationships.
“The entire CSO Board is delighted to have Samantha Teter as the new CSO executive director,” states CSO Board Chair, Don McDowell. “Samantha’s expertise in marketing and sales coupled with her terrific organizational and leadership skills make a winning combination that bodes well for the future of the organization”.
Ms. Teter has most recently been serving the CSO as the director of Marketing and Corporate Partnerships, a role she has been in since August 2012. Prior to that, she served as director of Marketing and Sales for the Colorado Symphony from 2010-2012, and as director of Marketing and Public Relations for the Fort Wayne Philharmonic from 2006-2010. Ms. Teter has a total of 15 years experience working in the arts in senior management positions. Locally, she’s a graduate of ArtsBuild’s Holmberg Arts Leadership Institute and currently serves on a committee for SoundCorps. Ms. Teter can often be found singing the National Anthem at Lookouts games or performing in local theatre productions. She is married to Joel D. Scribner, who works for the Chattanooga Lookouts and is a theatre director and producer. Their daughter, Maya, is a sixth grader at Center for Creative Arts.