In the third management change to affect the Dallas Arts District and its performance organizations, Douglas Adams is resigning from the presidency of the DSO — effective Sept. 15. His announcement follows Mark Nerenhausen’s abrupt departure as CEO of the Performing Arts Center and Mark Hadley’s resignation as managing director of the Dallas Theater Center.

Adams tells Scott Cantrell in the News‘ arts blog that he’s resigning because he’s spent two-years in a commuter marriage and got tired of it. Ironically, Adams currently shares the cover of D CEO magazine with conductor Jaap van Zweden.

Chief Operations Officer Paul Stewart will step up as president of the DSO.

In his e-mail to DSO staff, Adams wrote: “I’ve been associated with this orchestra and organization–off and on–for three decades. I love it and only wish the very best for the musicians, the staff and all the patrons who support the DSO.”

The full release follows:

Dallas Symphony Orchestra President Douglas W. Adams Resigns

Dallas, TX – August 17, 2010 – The Dallas Symphony Orchestra announced today that it has accepted the resignation for personal reasons of President Douglas W. Adams, effective September 15, 2010.   Adams will be returning home to join his wife in Denver, CO.  Dallas Symphony Orchestra Chief Operating Officer Paul Stewart assumes the position of president September 16, 2010.

“Doug helped the DSO reach significant artistic goals during his two years at the helm, including extending Music Director Jaap van Zweden’s contract and naming world-renowned pianist and composer Marvin Hamlisch as the DSO’s principal pops conductor,” said Ron Gafford, chairman of the Dallas Symphony Association Board of Directors. “We are deeply thankful to Doug for his hard work – he will be missed.”

Gafford continued, “Paul Stewart and his wife Melissa are longtime supporters of the DSO and they are deeply rooted in the Dallas community.  Paul has been engaged in helping the DSO study its current operations and is already working closely with Doug, Jaap and the senior management team in his current role as COO.   We feel confident that Paul’s proven leadership ability and business acumen will help ensure a seamless transition.”

“It has been such an honor to serve the Dallas Symphony Orchestra for the past two years,” said Adams. “Working with this exceptionally talented group of musicians, Music Director Jaap van Zweden and the dedicated board and staff of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra has been an incredible experience and I am proud of what we have achieved.”

Adams rejoined the DSO in September of 2008 after previously working at the DSO as general manager from 1999 to 2002 under former DSO President Eugene Bonelli. In the interim, he worked as president of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra for six years.  Prior to his appointment at the Dallas Symphony as general manager, Adams had a highly successful career in television. For nine years he was the president and general manager of KXAS-TV in Dallas-Fort Worth—recognized as one of the most successful television operations in the United States.