Folk Alliance Internationalannounced its pick for a new executive director on Wednesday.
The board of directors selected Aengus Finnan, a musician, community leader and arts administrator. Finnan will replace Louis Meyers, a South by Southwest co-founder who's served as executive director since 2005.
The 3,000-member organization moved its headquarters from Memphis to Kansas City in August.
"Folk Alliance has come so far in the past 8 years under Louis' leadership, and we just couldn't be happier that Aengus is joining us, not only to continue our success but to grow from where we are," said David Hirshland, board president, in a news release.
Aengus Finnan was born in Dublin, Ireland, but he was raised in rural Canada, in Shelter Valley, Ontario, about 80 miles from Toronto.
Previously, Finnan worked with the Ontario Arts Council (OAC) in touring and audience development. A folk musician, he's also released three of his own recordings, including "Once Upon a Time" in 2013, and toured across North America, Japan and Australia.
In 2003, he received the Queen's Golden Jubilee medal for his contributions to arts and culture in Canada.
Finnan takes on his new role as executive director on July 1.
