New Kid on the Block
Jason Cianciotto named new Wingspan executive director
By Luis Garcia
TUSCON — For the second time in a year, Wingspan, Southern Arizona's GLBT community center, has announced a new executive director.
Jason Cianciotto will be replacing Joseph Bodenmiller, who surprised everyone when he unexpectedly resigned due to personal reasons two months after he was hired late last year.
Cianciotto’s selection was the result of an extensive search that resulted in 21 candidates.
According to Wingspan Board President Carol Lohmann, Cianciotto brings tremendous national GLBT policy and advocacy experience to Wingspan.
“We are confident that his vision and leadership will result in a deepening of our impact on the community, regionally and across the country," Lohmann said. "This is an exciting time for the GLBT and allied community. There has been much progress toward achieving Wingspan's mission of freedom, equality, safety and well being for LGBT people — and there are still challenges to achieving that mission. Wingspan is poised to be a catalyst for change over the next 20 years. Jason brings the energy, experience, and passion to advance our mission and lead us through this new chapter in our history."
Cianciotto graduated from the University of Arizona and is moving to Arizona from Washington, D.C., where he was research director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
He has been nationally recognized as an expert on public policy issues affecting GLBT populations. He has also written and published a variety of reports and studies, including several on GLBT youth, Hispanic and Latino/a same-sex couple families, and marriage equality.
"Tucson is the community that mentored and inspired me to make the pursuit of equality for GLBT people my life's work," Cianciotto said. "I understand the role Wingspan plays in changing the lives of GLBT people not only in Southern Arizona, but also throughout the country. The personal impact Wingspan had on my life, combined with my professional experience, is part of the foundation that forms my passion, vision and commitment to Wingspan. What an honor and privilege it is to come home to Wingspan and give back to a community that has given so much to me."
A public reception to welcome Cianciotto will be held 5 p.m., May 15, at the Wingspan Community Center, 425 E. Seventh Street, Tucson.
"I am inspired by the work the staff, volunteers and board have done during this interim period," Cianciotto said. "Their collective knowledge, effort and commitment to Wingspan is part of the reason I chose to return home to this organization and community."
Wingspan
425 E. Seventh Street, Tucson
www.wingspan.org
520-624-1779
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