Paul B. Guenther Named Chairman Emeritus of The New York Philharmonic

Paul B. Guenther was named Chairman Emeritus of The Philharmonic-Symphony Society of New York, Inc., at a meeting of the New York Philharmonic Board of Directors on Wednesday, September 23, 2009. The honor was bestowed upon Mr. Guenther at the conclusion of his 13-year tenure as Chairman of the Philharmonic's Board of Directors. At the same meeting, Gary W. Parr officially assumed Chairmanship of the Board of Directors. Mr. Guenther shares his Emeritus title with former Philharmonic Chairman Carlos Moseley, who in his decades with the Orchestra also served as Director of Public Relations, Managing Director, and eventually the first-ever professional, salaried president of a major U.S. symphony orchestra. As Chairman Emeritus, Mr. Guenther will remain an active member of the Board.

"The New York Philharmonic has been so fortunate to have had Paul Guenther serve as Chairman for 13 years," said Mr. Parr, Mr. Guenther's successor. "His work and dedication on behalf of the Orchestra have been extraordinary. His appointment by the Board as Chairman Emeritus, an extremely rare honor, is wholly appropriate to the level of dedication and service he has given to the institution."

"I am humbled and deeply honored to join Carlos Moseley as Chairman Emeritus," said Mr. Guenther. "Carlos's decades of servIce To the Orchestra in a variety of positions - ultimately as President and Chairman - have left a lasting impact on the Philharmonic that still resonates today. As for Gary Parr, who represents the Philharmonic's future, it has been said that one is judged by the quality of one's successor; if that is true, my greatest tribute is in being succeeded by Gary, a dynamic leader with a genuine love for music. I love this Orchestra and have unbounded admiration for every musician in it, and I look forward to continuing to support the mission of the New York Philharmonic."

"For the past 13 years, Paul Guenther has been devoted to the well-being and advancement of the New York Philharmonic," said Philharmonic President and Executive Director Zarin Mehta. "His countless contributions range from tireless fundraising to celebrating the Orchestra's great past - including his support of the acquisition of the Lineback collection, which contains crucially important documents of early Philharmonic history - and his eager embrace of institutional revitalization. Paul has been equally comfortable toasting foreign dignitaries on behalf of the Orchestra at receptions in the world's cultural capitals as he has been welcoming cheering crowds to our beloved Concerts in the Parks. But the characteristic that transcends all others is his
passionate belief in the talent of each member of the Orchestra, and the vital role of the New York Philharmonic to this city, the country, and the world."

Paul B. Guenther was president of PaineWebber Group, Inc., the parent company of PaineWebber Incorporated, until his retirement in 1995. Since then he has focused on the nonprofit sector. Renowned for his dedication to the Philharmonic, he joined its Board of Directors in 1994 and was appointed Chairman in 1996. In the course of his stewardship, he oversaw the hiring of Executive Director Zarin Mehta in the 2000-01 season, later awarding him the additional title of President. He engaged former Music Director Lorin Maazel to begin in September 2002, as well as current Music Director Alan Gilbert, who began his tenure in September 2009, and he helped to elevate the Orchestra's Annual Fund from $8 million to $23 million. He oversaw the strengthening of the Board - with two-thirds of its current members joining under his tenure - all the while developing and sustaining major corporate, foundation, and personal Philharmonic financial partnerships. He will remain an active Board Member.

From 1998 to 2004 Mr. Guenther served as chairman of Fordham University, where he continues as a board member. He also serves on the board of directors of The Guardian Life Insurance Company and its affiliate, RS Investments.

Paul B. Guenther earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Fordham University in 1962 and an M.B.A. in finance from the Columbia Graduate School of Business in 1964. In the same year, he began his career as a credit analyst with Manufacturers Hanover Trust Co. He joined PaineWebber Incorporated in 1966 as a securities analyst and served in a variety of positions. In 1984, when the company realigned its three principal subsidiaries into one, Mr. Guenther became chief administrative officer responsible for Administrative Services, Operations, and Systems. He assumed responsibility for the firm's retail sales business in 1987 and for investment banking activities in mid-1988. He was named president of PaineWebber Incorporated in late 1988, and president of PaineWebber Group, Inc., in 1994.

Mr. Guenther is a 2006 recipient of an honorary doctor of laws from Marymount Manhattan College, a 2005 recipient of an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Fordham University, and a 1992 recipient of an honorary LL.D. from Concordia College. His organizational associations include Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, director; Liberty Acquisition Holdings, director; Columbia University Graduate School of Business, board of overseers; Lenox Hill Hospital, vice chairman; Frost Valley YMCA,chairman emeritus; Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust, trustee; Cristo Rey New York High School, board of directors; the Governor's Committee on Scholastic Achievement, trustee; and Rockefeller University, trustee. He is a former director of the Securities Industry Association and a former president and director of Columbia's Graduate School
of Business Alumni Association. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts.

Credit Suisse is the Global Sponsor of the New York Philharmonic. Programs of the New York Philharmonic are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, New York State Council on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts.