Press Southworth was appointed Chief Executive Director of the Jazz Arts Group (JAG) of Columbus in October 2012. Under his tenure, JAG has regained financial stability and is operating at a sustainable level. He previously served as executive director of Opera Columbus from 2006 to 2011 and during that tenure was president of the Columbus Cultural Leadership Consortium for two years. He helped Opera Columbus eliminate its debt and become fiscally stable.
Press was with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for nearly 27 years where he served as engagement partner on SEC reporting Bank Holding Companies, Insurance Companies, Retail Industry Companies and Multi-fund/Multi-class Mutual Fund Families. He was a National Leader in the firm’s In-Control Services response to the FDIC Improvement Act and member of the AICPA Banking Committee and FDICIA Task Force.
Press graduated summa cum laude from The Ohio State University and was recognized by PaceSetters as The Outstanding Scholar Leader of the Senior Class of the Business College in 1975. He is a Vietnam Veteran and recipient of the Purple Heart having served in the US Army as an Artillery Captain.
Press has been an active community volunteer for nearly 40 years and has served as chairman or president of the following organizations: Ohio Society of CPAs, PaceSetters of the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University, March of Dimes of Central Ohio, Prevent Blindness of Ohio, St. Charles Booster Club, the Columbus Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants, the Columbus Chapter of the OSCPAs, Opera/Columbus and Columbus Cultural Leadership Consortium.
Executive Director
