WS Chronicle

Rick Moss, board chair of The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, has announced that Randy Eaddy, corporate attorney and longtime arts advocate, will serve as The Arts Council’s President and CEO. 

Eaddy will succeed Jim Sparrow, who held the position for five years before resigning effective July 31 to become executive director of the Fort Wayne Ballet.

Moss described Eaddy, who is retiring from the Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton law firm after almost 25 years as a partner there, as “someone who knows the Arts Council well, who knows the needs of Winston-Salem and the Forsyth County community, and has the ability to keep the organization moving forward seamlessly.” 

Eaddy will assume his duties at The Arts Council on Aug. 1.

“This opportunity came along at a good place in my life,” said Eaddy, who has served on The Arts Council board for seven years and chaired several committees. “I was transitioning out of law practice and had not made further commitments.  My experiences with The Arts Council have been among the most rewarding I have had as a volunteer in the nonprofit world. I enthusiastically accepted this chance to make a significant contribution to this community.”

Moss reflected on Sparrow’s tenure as president and CEO, saying, “Jim Sparrow never avoided the tough issues. He has been forward-looking and has guided us through challenging times, as the nature of united arts funds here and across the nation has seen significant changes. The needs of our arts community are ever evolving, and Jim devoted his efforts to positioning The Arts Council and greater arts community to remain important, effective and relevant forces in this community. We sincerely thank Jim for all the good work he has done.”

Moss said The Arts Council wanted to move quickly on a transition, since its annual Community Fund for the Arts drive is in a final, critical period, and choose a replacement for Sparrow who could hit the ground running. Eaddy fits the bill, he said.

“We are redoubling our efforts on the fund drive in order to put Randy and The Council in the strongest possible position going forward,” said Moss.

Eaddy made a 38-year career in business law with broad experience in many areas of corporate practice. He received his undergraduate degree from Furman University and then attended Harvard Law School, where he was editor of the Harvard Law Review. He had risen to the highest ranks of his profession. Over the years, he has contributed generously as a volunteer for nonprofits and assumed leadership roles in the arts community, often using his professional skills on their behalf.

“Accepting this position – and the accompanying challenges,” said Eaddy “was made easier by the fact that I have worked closely with Arts Council staff over the years and have great appreciation for their dedication and professionalism. I can certainly say the same for The Arts Council board.”

Winston-Salem, known as a City of Arts and Innovation, and Forsyth County have a robust arts community that enriches the lives of area residents every day and accounts in large part for the recognition they continue to receive as a great place to live, learn, work and play.  Forsyth County’s nonprofit arts industry supports 5,559 full time equivalent jobs; accounts for more than $129 million in resident household income, and generates more than $14.8 million in local and state tax revenues.