PORT ANGELES — Dan Maguire, the veteran champion of the Clallam and Jefferson counties’ YMCAs, has been chosen to run the Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts.
Maguire, a musician himself, will take the helm of the Memorial Day weekend music and art extravaganza July 6, after he returns from the Kate Wolf Music Festival in Mendocino County, Calif.
He succeeds Anna Manildi, who is stepping down after 10 years as executive director of the Juan de Fuca Festival.
“I’m really excited about getting back in and working with these crazy musicians,” Maguire joked.
Seriously, though, “I see a change in the wind,” as Port Angeles’ artistic community gathers strength. “Juan de Fuca is part of that wave .. Everybody’s welcome to check in with us,” at the festival office, he added. “We’re looking for ideas and energy.”
Last fall Maguire retired from his post as CEO of the YMCA after 13 years spent developing new programs in both Jefferson County and at the Y’s Port Angeles center. He also worked for the YMCA in California before moving to Port Townsend and then Port Angeles.
Maguire was the top choice among five finalists, Manildi said Thursday, thanks to his extensive background in running nonprofit organizations and his 14 years living in Port Angeles.
Manildi, along with a selection committee made up of Juan de Fuca Festival board members and other local residents, advertised the executive director job around the region. A mix of locals and hopefuls from outside the Peninsula applied.
