FAYETTEVILLE, NC — Les Griffin, President of the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra’s (FSO) Board of Directors, has been awarded the prestigious Cumberland Community Foundation (CCF) Nonprofit Leadership Award for his work with the symphony.  The CCF awards this prize annually to recognize, encourage, and reward extraordinary nonprofit leadership by a board member.  Griffin was recognized at a special luncheon on December 4, 2009 and also presented a grant of $1,000 to be used by the FSO for staff training and board development. 

Mary Holmes, Executive Director of the CCF, presented Griffin with the award and states, “The board chose Les Griffin on the recommendation of the grants committee because he has done so much for the FSO and was a role model for other board members in so many ways.”  The award is given based on competitive nominations from nonprofits that have an annual financial audit in Cumberland County, and only one winner is selected. 

“This award exemplifies the leadership that the FSO has been thriving under and is an encouraging sign that the community recognizes our stability,” states Mark Savage, the new Executive Director of the Fayetteville Symphony.  The Fayetteville Symphony is well into their 53rd season with three upcoming subscription concerts and several special performances scheduled in the coming months. 

Founded in 1956, the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra holds the distinction of being North Carolina’s oldest continuously funded symphony orchestra and has recently expanded its offerings to be considered a regional symphony.  Fifty-three years later, the mission remains: To Educate. To Entertain. To Inspire.