NUÇI’S SPACE ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP TRANSITIONS WITH AN EYE TOWARD EXPANSION
Bob Sleppy will transition into the role of CEO; Debbie Watson promoted to the role of Executive Director (Athens, GA), Elizabeth Raps promoted to Business Operations Manager (Athens, GA); Dick Daniels to become President of the Board of Directors and welcomes new members. Taking applications for new positions.
CHANGES TO THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE LEADERSHIP TEAM
The managers and leaders who comprise the Leadership Team at Nuçi’s Space are vital to our continued success and growth. When an organization has a strong team at its helm, changes to that dynamic can be scary. However, change can also be viewed as an opportunity to adapt and grow. Great leaders don’t create a void when they leave. They create opportunities for others to grow, innovate, and develop personally and professionally. Effective January 1, 2024, the Leadership Team has been restructured to clarify job responsibilities, increase accountability, and prepare for growth.
EFFECTIVE 1/1/2024
CEO: Bob Sleppy
Executive Director: Debbie Watson
Development Manager: (Plans to hire by mid-2024)
Finance & Compliance Manager: (Plans to hire by mid-2024)
Business Operations Manager: Elizabeth Raps
Marketing & Communications Manager: Abby Winograd
Health & Wellness Program Manager: Kara Johnson (Will start taking applications by the end of January 2024)
Musician Services Program Manager: (Taking Applications Now)
Youth Support Program Manager: Alex Dillon
CEO | Executive Director
In the first quarter of 2023, our board, staff, and key volunteers convened for our Annual Strategy Retreat, wherein we reviewed our most recent achievements and solidified our plans for the future. After a full day of small-group exercises and thoughtful deliberations, the overwhelming consensus of our group was that our next steps needed to center around expanding the reach of Nuçi’s Space. With the help of our retreat facilitator, we were able to clearly articulate the goals necessary to realize this vision. We quickly identified that in order to expand the programs and services of Nuçi’s Space, two key areas needed to be prioritized: scaling “deep” and scaling “out.” Our first step in this process is to build our capacity. Most importantly, we want to ensure that the growth of Nuçi’s Space into new communities is not at the expense of the quality of service we provide to the Athens community.
“Following this meeting, I asked myself, ‘Are my skills best utilized in the position I am occupying?’ For me, the answer is bittersweet. It is safe to say that no one has ever accused me of being “disciplined, well-organized, and focused.” I have no plans to leave our beloved Nuçi’s Space, which has been my home for 24 years. However, I have decided that I need to rediscover how I can use my skills and passion to best serve the mission of Nuçi’s Space. It is time to restructure and ready ourselves for the future.” says Bob Sleppy.
On January 1st, 2024 Bob Sleppy will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The primary responsibility of this new position will be to expand the reach of Nuçi’s Space beyond Athens, GA, and develop a network that can provide access and resources to more musicians and artists in need. Earlier this year, with the approval of the Board of Directors, Debbie Watson accepted an offer to assume the role of Executive Director at the Athens, GA location of Nuçi’s Space. Yes, Athens, GA is currently our only location, but we hope to change that in the not-too-distant future. Debbie Watson has been a dedicated member of Nuçi’s Space for nearly nine years, serving as our Development Director and Camp Amped Coordinator. She embodies the essence of our organization. Along with her endless reserves of kindness and optimism, Debbie is the epitome of “disciplined, well-organized, and focused.” Her exceptional managerial skills and genuine care for others make her the perfect fit to elevate Nuçi’s Space and prepare us for our next important stage of growth.
Development Department Manager| Finance & Compliance Department Manager
In the immediate future, the Development and Finance Department will continue to be overseen by Debbie Watson and Bob Sleppy respectively. Nuçi’s Space has plans to begin taking applications for both of these positions by mid-2024.
Business Operations Department | Musician Services Program
Adam Wayton (Pink Stones, Telelmarket) will be stepping away from his role as Operations Manager on December 31st, 2023. Although he will no longer be involved in the day-to-day management of Nuçi’s Space, we have hired Adam on a six-month contract to further develop our on-site Amplify Recording Studio into a viable program to best serve the community. The change in leadership provides an opportunity for us to divide the Operations Department into two distinct focus areas; Business Operations (Department) and Musician Services (Program).
Elizabeth Raps (Sex Cell) has accepted the position of Business Operations Manager, effective January 1st, 2024. Elizabeth has been with us for almost two years, beginning as an Executive Assistant to Bob Sleppy and quickly earning the position of Office Manager. Elizabeth is an incredibly talented musician and songwriter who is both creative and passionate. We are excited to see her thrive in this new position. The Business Operations Department will be responsible for the oversight of all systems and processes, information technology, database management, office management, human resources, policies and procedures, scheduling, sales inventory, and facilities management.
Nuçi’s Space is currently seeking to hire a Musician Services Manager. The creation of the Musician Services Program will provide the opportunity to formally structure our leadership team to reflect our three primary service areas; Health & Wellness, Youth Program, and Musician Services. The role of the Musician Services Program Manager will oversee our services such as rehearsal room rentals, music gear sales and rentals, live performances, and the Amplify Recording Studio program. The primary responsibility of the Musician Services Manager is to ensure the satisfaction and loyalty of our customers and to align our organization's objectives and the needs of customers, connecting through empathy, curiosity, and innovative thinking. In addition to creating a positive customer experience, we want to build lasting and meaningful relationships with all stakeholders in the creative community.
Health & Wellness Program Manager
The Health & Wellness Program is managed by Kara Johnson, currently pursuing her Master of Social Work degree. Due to her heavy course load during her final year of study, she will be stepping away from her management position with Nuçi’s Space and transitioning to a different position within the organization.
“Kara is an incredibly talented manager and her presence in that role will be missed but I’m excited that we won't lose her completely. She’s a great asset to the organization and I look forward to working with Kara for as long as possible,” says Bob Sleppy.
Nuçi’s Space will open the application process for a Health & Wellness Program Manager by the end of January 2024.
Marketing & Communications Department Manager| Youth Support Program Manager
The Marketing & Communications Department will continue to be managed by Abby Winograd and the Youth Support Program by Alex Dillon. Nuçi’s Space is very fortunate to have these two young, passionate managers to help guide us forward.
Board of Directors
First and foremost, we want to thank Nadine Forche (Five Points Eye Care) for serving as the President of the Board of Directors at Nuçi’s Space for the past two years. She has been an extraordinary leader and is profoundly responsible for helping guide our organization out of the pandemic.
We also want to recognize and thank several board members who will end their Board terms on December 31st, 2023. These valuable members of our organization include Jack Jones (Past President), Jennifer Davidson (Past President), Michelle Arington, Barrie Buck, DRee Krohn, Lisa Allen, and Julie Davis.
Despite the bittersweet feelings of our friends ending their terms on the Board, we are equally excited to welcome a new Board President and Board members to the organization. Effective January 1st, Richard Daniels has been voted by his peers to serve as our President for the next two years.
The new community members who will be joining our Board include Dr. Brian Bauer (Assistant Professor of Psychology, UGA), Trish Whatley (LMSW / Therapist at Medlink Georgia), Paul Reavis (Owner of Reavis Code), Mike Leggett (Entrepreneur / Realtor), and Colleen Craven (Books For Keeps Program Manager).
A quote from Nuçi’s mom and Nuçi’s Space founder Linda Phillips in her 2016 book, “A Beautiful Here,”
“...Nuçi’s Space continues. In fact, it gets better and better. We’ve found that with each change, new advocates instill a part of themselves and in so doing improve the Nuçi’s Space model. Creativity is valued and encouraged. We welcome new ideas and improvement on old ones. We open our hearts and minds and arms to new people. Our dream is that one day there will be a Nuçi’s Space in every community. It doesn’t have to be called Nuçi’s Space. The name doesn’t matter but the model does because it is tried and proven.”