Oxford Community Center Appoints Liza Ledford as Executive Director

The Oxford Community Center has appointed Liza Ledford as the center’s Executive Director. Ledford grew up on the Miles River in Marengo Farms and attended the Country School. She traveled to Boston for High School and spent the majority of her career in Los Angeles. Upon her return to Talbot County six years ago, Ledford worked with various regional non-profit organizations, including the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, The Chesapeake Film Festival and The Avalon Foundation. She assumed the position officially on October 31st.

Joseph Fischer, OCC Board President and Liza Ledford

Hiring Ledford was the result of an extensive search by a search committee appointed by the OCC Board of Trustees. The search was headed by Joseph Fischer, OCC Board President.

“We are very pleased to have Liza join OCC as the Executive Director,” said Fischer. “Liza is the perfect match for OCC and will be able to lead us to accomplish our strategic objectives during this period of growth. Her background is ideal to meet the challenges ahead in bringing the most exciting programming to our Community in Talbot County.”

Ledford is familiar with Talbot County non-profit and cultural organizations. Her private marketing company Northstar Consulting Services, LLC served multiple non-profits and small businesses in the area supporting their event production, programming, facility rentals, marketing strategy and public relations. Ledford’s focus on branding and telling the “story” of each organization created engagement with the public and grew awareness about the various organizations. Ledford built strong relationships with media outlets to grow her client’s presence in the competitive non-profit arena.

Prior to Northstar Consulting Services, Ledford honed her producing and marketing skills in the entertainment industry. She was an executive at Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment, Associate Producer for Universal Pictures then finished her Hollywood career at Sony Studios. Her skills producing “experiences” and creating buzz translate well for growing OCC.

“The quality of the programs and events offered at OCC are fantastic! I am also inspired by the commitment the board made to continue new initiatives and invite more people and partners to enjoy this incredible space,” said Ledford.

Ledford married an “Oxford Boy” in The Holy Trinity Episcopal Church with reception at Pope’s and enjoys time with the many Ledford’s in the area, especially her father-in-law “Big Al” with the Oxford Fire Department. She lives in Easton with husband Mark and their two children, Mason, 17, and Alice, 14. Ledford is a member of the Rotary, an adjunct professor at JHU/MICA Film Center and serves on the Advisory Board for AEMS, Arts Education in Maryland Schools and the Interactive Media Production Department for Talbot County Public School System.

Located in the town of Oxford, the OCC is housed in a former schoolhouse built in 1928 and designed by Annapolis-born architect Henry Powell Hopkins. Hopkins designed notable public buildings throughout Maryland and the OCC is the last surviving example of his school projects. OCC completed a successful capital campaign and renovation of the building. The facility is now an award-winning LEEDS (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) gold certified building with state of the art HVAC, sound and lighting systems, large auditorium, commercial kitchen and several classrooms. OCC hosts programs, performances, and classes throughout the year, and is available for rental.

For more information, please contact the Oxford Community Center at 410-226-5904, email [email protected], visit their website at www.oxfordcc.org or their Facebook page at Oxford Community Center, Inc.