Symphony has new executive director

Dhiana McKaig Skrmetti is the new executive director of the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra, the board of directors announced Thursday.

Skrmetti will provide leadership and vision to fulfill the orchestra’s mission and achieve its goals for artistic excellence, financial stability and community engagement on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

“Dhiana is a wonderful addition, as she has the knowledge, skills, experience, and commitment to lead Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra into the future. We are excited to have her on board,” board president Dave Marshall said.

Skrmetti, a native of Biloxi, is a graduate of Biloxi High School and a 2016 graduate of Leadership Gulf Coast. She brings with her nearly eight years of nonprofit experience collectively as a staff member and a volunteer.

She most recently served as the programming coordinator and military liaison at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, where she gained experience in program development, event coordination and nonprofit planning and budgeting. Skrmetti also was the community relations specialist for the Air Force Reserve’s 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base.

The orchestra’s 2016-17 concert series begins Sept. 17.

This story was originally published July 21, 2016 at 7:24 PM with the headline "Symphony has new executive director."