Rick Pender Email & Phone Number

Cincinnati, Oh, Us

Cincinnati

Friends of Music Hall plays an integral role in sustaining and promoting Cincinnati Music Hall, the city's iconic performing arts venue (for Cincinanti Symphony, Pops, May Festival, Opera, and Ballet). The historic building opened in 1878 and continues to be a vibrant attraction for audiences, thanks to an extensive $140 million renovation, 2016-2017.

I research, interview and write articles on a wide array of topics for local, regional and national magazines, newsletters and other publications in addition to various social media outlets.

I have been a theater critic since 1986 for various Cincinnati publications; I joined CityBeat as a freelance writer when the paper was founded in 1994; from 1998-2006 I served as the paper's fulltime arts editor; leaving in 2006, I returned to my role as a freelance contributor, overseeing all theater coverage and contributing occasionally to other aspects of arts coverage. I chaired the American Theatre Critics Association in 2004-2005.

I conduct radio interviews with creative artists and performers for a weekly arts program, "Around Cincinnati."

Cincinnati, Ohio Area

I was an active member of the Cincinnati Chapter of PRSA; served as the chapter president in 1985-1986. I was elected to the PRSA College of Fellows in 1996.

Cincinnati Area, Ky

I provided features about the arts for this website affiliated with Cincinnati's ABC-TV station.

Cincinnati, Ohio Area

I was involved in projects that enhanced the quality of life in Greater Cincinnati. I served on panels involved in good government as well as arts and culture.

As a freelance editing professional and veteran theater writer, I oversaw the assembly of a quarterly magazine about shows by Stephen Sondheim, musical theater's foremost composer and lyricist.

Cincinnati, Ohio Area

I oversaw fundraising and public affairs for Planned Parenthood's SW Ohio affiliate, covering 20 counties in SW Ohio and 3 in Northern Kentucky.

I helped to oversee the organization charged with making Cincinnati's downtown a place where people live, work and play.

I work with the staff of Oberlin College's Alumni Fund to recruit and manage alumni volunteers in soliciting funds from graduates of one of America's most respected liberal arts colleges.

Cincinnati

I oversaw all fund-raising and institutional advancement activities for Cincinnati Opera, the second-oldest opera in the United States.

Cincinnati, Ohio

I documented a process of developing an innovative new assistive surgical device.

I oversaw all arts and entertainment coverage, including theater (which I wrote personally), dance, books, visual art, dining and more.

I chaired America's only nationwide organization for theater critics, arts journalists and academics.

Cincinnati

I was one of the senior-most counselors at Cincinnati's most respected public relations firm. My broad array of clients were principally in business, healthcare (e.g., The Jewish Hospital, The Health Alliance) and the nonprofit arena (especially Downtown Cincinnati Inc.) I played an integral role in hiring and new business development, helping the agency grow from 6 to 35 employees.

I developed my leadership skills and built long-lasting relationships with four dozen outstanding Cincinnati leaders. I subsequently was active with the Leadership Cincinnati Alumni Association, serving as its president in 2002.

Cincinnati, Ohio Area

During my tenure with Dan Pinger Public Relations, I was an "embedded" member of the senior management team at this major Cincinnati hospital. I oversaw a staff of 15 people who provided a full range of marketing communications and printing.

ChoiceCare was a large Cincinnati HMO, eventually acquired by Humana in the late 1990s. I oversaw corporate communications, which included customer relations, physician relations and connections with employer groups. During a lengthy and contentious trial in federal court, I served as the company's principal spokesperson.

Highland Heights, Kentucky

I was WNKU's first general manager, putting the station on the air in April 1985.

I promoted public radio programming to listeners in Cincinnati as well as providing information and promotional materials to programmers at other NPR stations for programs produced by WGUC.

Canton, Ohio Area

Hiram, Ohio

B.A., English

I was an honors major in English literature. I was also involved in a few theatrical productions.

M.A., English Literature

Ph.D., English Literature

English Language And Literature, General

I held a graduate teaching assistantship in the SUNY-Binghamton Department of English and was enrolled in the university's Medieval.