Olympic Theatre Arts has a new face fronting operations.

Pam Leonard-Ray takes over as officer manager for Loren Johnson after six years.

Leonard-Ray moved from Charleston, S.C., where she was dean of the learning center at Trident Technical College. She holds a Master of Education degree in clinical counseling from The Citadel in Charleston.

Her hope with taking the half-time position was this job would be her last search.

“I was looking for an organization where I could use my skills and experiences to help the local community while learning something new,” she said.

“I wanted to be involved in something completely unlike what I had been involved with in the past. I can check that box with OTA.”

She replaces Johnson who also directed several productions. He left at the end of September on good terms and remains active with the theater.

Leonard-Ray and janitor Walter Pempey are the only paid staff for the theater while all other operations are volunteer-based.

Along with the recent hiring of Leonard-Ray, OTA elected its new board members on three year terms — Tom Darter, Karen Hogan, Jaie Livingstone, Alice McCracken, Elaine Caldwell, secretary, Richard Hendrickson, Kathy Petree, and Berta Warden, chairman.

Returning board members include Colby and Courtney Thomas, Heidi Hansen, vice chairman, Kathy Purcell, treasurer, Sharon DelaBarre, immediate past chairman, and Vickie Carroll.

OTA produces five main productions each year along with second-stage and special events and in a little more than a week, the theater begins its run of “Inspecting Carol” from Nov. 15-Dec. 1.  

For more information, visit 414 N. Sequim Ave., call 683-7326 or go online to www.olympictheatrearts.org.