Lee and Sarah Papert

The Dallas Film Society sends word this morning that Lee Papert has been named its new president and CEO. Papert comes to the DFS from the Trinity River and Dogwood Canyon Audubon Centers, where he was the director of marketing and development. He’s also a previous executive director of Arts District Friends and has sat on the boards of numerous arts organizations.

Papert takes over for outgoing CEO Tanya Foster.

Keep reading for the news release:

dallas, NOVEMBER 28, 2011: The DALLAS Film Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that celebrates films and their impact on society, has named Lee Papert as the new president and chief executive officer.  The announcement was made by Lynn McBee, chairman of the board of directors. Papert brings with him over 20 years business experience and 12 years development and marketing experience in the nonprofit arena.

“Lee was an outstanding candidate for this high profile position,” said McBee. “His extensive experience in the Dallas nonprofit field, coupled with his astute business acumen and passion for film, made the search committee’s decision unanimous in the selection of our new president and CEO.  We are absolutely thrilled that he has agreed to take the helm and lead the Dallas Film Society into a new and increasingly successful era.”

Papert formerly served the Trinity River and Dogwood Canyon Audubon Centers as director of marketing and development. For the ten years prior to joining the Audubon Centers, Papert was a constant presence in the development of the burgeoning Dallas Arts District.  He served as executive director of the Arts District Friends, a marketing/membership organization charged with supporting and creating awareness of Dallas’ truly unique downtown Arts District.  He then joined the staff of the Dallas Wind Symphony as their first ever director of development.  During his tenure, the nation’s only professional wind band saw an elimination of their ongoing operational deficit, multiple years of a bottom-line surplus, and three successful CD recording projects.

Papert has volunteered extensively throughout Dallas and is a past board member of the Dallas Architecture Foundation/Dallas Center for Architecture, the Leadership Dallas Alumni Association and the advisory boards of the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra and Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. He is a past president of the Shakespeare Dallas Board of Directors and a past member of the St. Mark’s School of Texas Alumni Board. Additionally, Papert is a graduate of the Dallas Chamber’s Leadership Dallas program and the Business Council for the Arts’ Leadership Arts program.

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to be a part of the Dallas Film Society team,” commented Papert. “Tanya Foster did an incredible job in continuing to raise the profile and membership base of the Dallas Film Society.  I hope to build upon this solid platform and work not only to celebrate film and filmmakers as art and artists, but also to raise the visibility and appreciation for Dallas as a destination amongst her citizens and the many who will come here for the annual Dallas International Film Festival.”