Richard Hyatt: Shifting Ivory Tower
It has been a year of change in the Ivory Tower.
Key leaders are retiring and new faces are being sought in an unplanned changing of the guard that will affect the future of the community at every level.
Last week it was William Bullock, retiring as executive director of the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. He has served in a variety of roles for 12 years and will step aside in July, culminating 47 years in music and education.
His is not our first high-profile retirement.
Tom Butler is retiring after 20 years as executive director of the Columbus Museum.
Phil Tomlinson retired as chief executive officer of TSYS in June after 40 years with the company. Longtime colleague Troy Woods succeeded him atop the worldwide credit card processing company.
Mike Gaymon retired as president of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce after 26 years as the community's voice of development.
Tim Mescon, Columbus State University's fourth president, announced his retirement to become senior vice president and chief officer with the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business in Amsterdam.
Ron King is retiring as executive director and CEO of the Pastoral Institute.
These retirements touch us in many ways.
Bullock will continue to conduct the community chorus. He has brought joy and art to local stages while leading one of our local jewels. His successor must have these same traits.
Butler directed the museum for a third of its history. His successor must find new ways to generate connections between art and the community.
Tomlinson was part of the TSYS leadership team since the company's inception, and Woods takes the position at a time of change in the industry. The continued success of TSYS is vital.
Gaymon and his book of corny jokes leaves behind a chamber with many challenges and a future that will bring many more.
Mescon has helped expand CSU's downtown presence and there is still work to be done.
King has directed a nondenominational organization that quietly delivers spiritual guidance at every level of life. He has been a minister to the marketplace and a voice of ethics and morals. His successor must understand the community's ongoing emphasis on servant leadership.
Only Tomlinson's position is filled, so numerous search committees are on the streets at the same time looking for men and women to fill positions in an Ivory Tower that is suddenly bare.
-- Richard Hyatt is an independent correspondent. Reach him at hyatt31906@knology.net.
This story was originally published October 11, 2014 at 10:32 PM with the headline "Richard Hyatt: Shifting Ivory Tower."