Cincinnati Opera has announced the election of officers for its board of trustees for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, along with the addition of eight new trustees and seven board associates. Officers were elected at the company’s Annual Meeting on September 17, 2025.

The re-elected officers include President Ronald T. Bates, managing director at 1919 Investment Counsel; Chair Melanie M. Chavez, partner at Chavez Properties; Treasurer and Executive Vice President Robert Bitter, partner at Deloitte; and Secretary Charles E. Baverman III, partner at Dinsmore Shohl.

New trustees joining the board include Amy Bixel of Fifth Third Bank, Josh Blatt of John Henry Homes, Michael T. Dean of Dinsmore Shohl, Michelle Goret of Cintas, Brandon R. Jones of Deloitte, David Paredes of Standard Textile, community volunteer Buffie Rixey, and Heather Z. Vecellio of HiNOTE.

Seven new members have also joined the Cincinnati Opera Board Associates, a subsidiary of the board composed of young professionals, for three-year terms.

Source: https://www.cincinnatiopera.org/media-resources/2025/10/1/cincinnati-opera-announces-new-board-officers-trustees-and-associate-members