Interim CEO leaving Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra

The interim president and CEO of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra plans to leave the organization when her permanent replacement takes over later this month.

Jacquelyn Groth will step down as chief executive effective March 15, just before incoming CEO Gary Ginstling takes over, the ISO announced Monday. She also will leave the post of vice president of finance and strategic planning.

Groth joined the ISO in 2010 after seven years of leadership in finance and administration at Veolia Water. She took over as interim CEO in February 2012 when Simon Crookall stepped down after seven years as the ISO's leader.

Groth led the ISO a tumultuous time marked by a musician lockout and difficult labor negotiations. Her most recent accomplishment was seeing the symphony through a difficult fundraising campaign that raised at least $9.1 million and met a key requirement in the latest labor contract.

ISO spokeswoman Jessica Di Santo said Groth did not say what she planned to do after leaving.

“We’ve accomplished what we set out to do during this challenging transition period," Groth said in a prepared statement. "Now, the ISO can accomplish its mission with a sure financial footing.”

The ISO board praised Groth's performance and said it planned to establish the “Jackie Groth Leadership Award” to periodically bestow on members of the executive leadership team following significant accomplishments. 

Groth's departure leaves another management vacancy among several at ISO. The orchestra is without a vice president of development as well as a general manager and vice president of operations.

Three other managers are covering the general management duties and an outside consultant is overseeing development until replacements are found.