Beverly Hess carries on mission of late friend

By Josh Eiserike

Published: August 14, 2008

Not only is Beverly Hess the new executive director of the Youth Orchestras of Prince William, she's also carrying on the legacy of a friend.

Former YOPW executive director Carol Taylor, one of Hess's best friends, died Jan. 16 from a rare form of pancreatic cancer.

Hess was serving as acting director while the board searched for a replacement.

"I really didn't even consider the position for a long time because it's hard to think about taking over the job of a person with whom you had a very good relationship," said Hess, 49, of Lake Ridge.

Hess originally turned down the position when Taylor died, said YOPW music director Anne Rupert.

Rupert said once time passed, once Hess's daughter settled on a college and once Hess saw how she was qualified for the job, she reconsidered.

"We were really looking more toward trying to balance the artistic and the business," YOPW board president Bob Garay said. "The more candidates we interviewed, we realized we were in pretty good hands artistically. What we needed was someone who had a pretty good handle on the business sense."

Hess got involved with YOPW a few years ago when she met Taylor through their kids' involvement in a neighborhood swim team.

Taylor asked Hess to come in and help, first as a volunteer, then as an administrative assistant. Two or three seasons ago she became the financial director.

"I learned a lot how to do the position she had by watching and working with her," Hess said. "Carol had a great way of working with people and making every person feel important or involved. … Our focus is first and foremost on the kids, what is best for the kids, then what is best for them and their musical development."

Eventually, Hess agreed to take over the organization. She started on July 1.

Garay said some of her greatest assets are her expierences as a consultant for businesses, a parent, a member of the board of directors and her experience running a small business and managing YOPW's financial accounting.

A graduate from Salem College in Winston-Salem, N.C., Hess has a background in management and management consulting. She worked as an internal management consultant in Houston, but quit when she had kids.

"I've worked with kids ever since I had kids," Hess said.

She worked in a preschool, as a teacher's assistant in elementary schools, then as an administrative assistant for YOPW when her kids were members. (Hess never played instruments as a kid, but took piano as an adult).

As a newly minted executive director Hess faces the challenge of finding new income streams. She said YOPW is very strong despite the recession, but she wants to offer new things to members. This includes tuition assistance and new preparatory programs for kids who have never touched instruments.

"It's something I do because I really want to," Hess said. "I really love the kids and I really love the music."

Hess will continue Taylor's vision, which includes a chamber music program and to help the organization grow in new directions. She said YOPW is situated in a way where music director Anne Rupert can focus on the music while the executive director position fosters organizational growth.

"That's where I feel my management skills… will assist the organization significantly," Hess said.

For many years she worked with businesses to help them become more profitable. That's where she sees her self within the YOPW. She said she'd like to hire two or three more people on the administrative staff, as well as some coaches for the students.

In addition to that, Hess hopes to broaden the YOPW's contact with the community and strengthen the organization's visibility in the western part of the county.

She's also helping the board get the Carol Tumbleson Taylor Scholarship Fund up and running. The purpose of this is to get private lessons for students who couldn't otherwise afford them.

Garay said Hess's strengths, in addition to her management skills, stem from her knowledge of and contacts within the community. Plus, it doesn't hurt that both of her daughters played in the YOPW.

"She's a great people person, she's really warm and welcoming," Rupert said. "We became a huge 400-person extended family through [Taylor's battle with cancer]. … We view this organization as a continuation of Carol's legacy. Beverly's the perfect person."

Staff writer Josh Eiserike can be reached at 703-878-8072.