Neufeld assumes CEO post at Victoria Theatre

By Gary Gregory

Ken Neufeld has settled in quickly as the new CEO and president of the Victoria Theatre Association and Arts Center Foundation. A native of Winnipeg and former resident of Toronto, Neufeld, 56, started his new position in Dayton on June 1, as the successor of Dione Kennedy who took a similar position in Fort Worth, Texas.

“I was impressed with Dayton for two reasons,” Neufeld said. “Number one, the great neighborhoods, easy commute and, number two, the scope and breath of the facilities here, the Victoria, Schuster and Loft, all in one block.”

Within a month of accepting his new Victoria post, Neufeld has made the media rounds, appearing as a TV guest on Channel 2 and Channel 7, and he and his wife, Lesley, move to their new home in Oakwood after selling their old home in Buffalo, N.Y.

Neufeld has an impressive resume of managing arts organizations. He managed Vancouver’s Gateway Theatre and a museum before taking over the duties at Buffalo’s resident professional group, the Studio Arena Theatre, which he managed from 1999 to 2006.

Years before starting his professional career, Neufeld graduated from the University of Winnipeg. He pursued a master’s degree in theater arts at Michigan State University. A former guitar player in the band and cameo player in a few stage productions, Neufeld said he changed his theater goal from stage direction to theater administration.

“I had been exposed to the arts for most of my life, but then I realized that I wanted to work in this (administrative) environment,” Neufeld said.

Working with a staff of more than 90 employees, he has one general goal. “I’m not a meetings kind of person. My job is to make sure everyone is doing well and is focused on making this a better experience,” he said.

Underscoring the VTA’s 2009-2010 season of touring shows are the three blockbusters: “Wicked,” “A Chorus Line” and the “Phantom of the Opera.” He described the new theatrical season as “impressive” in scope and variety.

Neufeld said he’s looking forward to future successes on the local professional stage. “So far our ticket sales are going very well for the new season,” he said. “What’s exciting is working with a very impressive board, all people who are community minded and interested in the needs and desires at hand.”

For more information about the VTA, call 228-3630.

KEY swimmers place 6th in USA

Twenty-two swimmers from the Kettering YMCA (KEY) Swim Team, including six from Oakwood, competed two weeks ago at the YMCA Long Course National Championship in College Park, Maryland. Out of 148 teams and 1374 swimmers nationwide, the KEY Team placed 6th overall by the end of the four-day competition.

Daniel Schmitz, an OHS senior, placed second in the country in the 400 Freestyle and sixth in the 200 Freestyle. Teammate David Ireland, also an OHS senior, placed thirteenth in the 50 Butterfly and tenth in the 200 Butterfly events. Andy Lamb, an OHS junior, teamed with Schmitz and two other KEY swimmers to place fourteenth in the 400 Freestyle Relay and fifteenth in the 800 Freestyle Relay.

The most outstanding men’s individual performance was from KEY swimmer, Ty Perkins, a Centerville HS senior. He placed first in the 800 Meter Freestyle and his time of 8:25.05 broke the national record previously set in 2004. Perkins also won the 1500 Freestyle and the 400 Freestyle, recording a rare trifecta.

Other KEY swimmers from Oakwood in the meet included Maddie Hochwalt, Jennifer Schmitz, and Brendan Tirado. The KEY National Coaches consisted of Head Coach Eric Wentzel, and assistant coaches Lauren Penrod, Amanda Stier and Shane Zimmer.

The KEY swim team is now accepting new swimmers of all ages for this fall. To schedule a swimmer evaluation for practice group placement, or to get more information about the program, contact Head Coach Eric Wentzel at 434-1964 or keyswimcoach@sbcglobal.net. Also check out www.keyswimming.com for additional information.