San Francisco, CA — Today Mayor London N. Breed announced the appointment by the War Memorial Board of Trustees of John Caldon to serve as Managing Director of the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center (WMPAC). Caldon replaces Elizabeth Murray, who will retire in July 2019 after serving 22 years as Managing Director and 38 years with the War Memorial department.

Working under the Mayoral-appointed War Memorial Board of Trustees, the Managing Director is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the City’s performing arts center complex, which includes the War Memorial Opera House, Veterans Building, and Davies Symphony Hall. 

“I am pleased to announce the appointment of John Caldon to serve as War Memorial Managing Director, where he will continue his service to the City of managing historic landmark buildings and promoting San Francisco’s arts and culture,” said Mayor Breed. “In his current role as Director of City Hall Events, John has modernized and expanded the events department, while working hand-in-hand with my office to plan and execute important cultural heritage and community events on behalf of the City.”

“I am humbled and thrilled to accept this appointment by the War Memorial Board of Trustees with the support of Mayor Breed,” Caldon said. “San Francisco is a world-class arts destination, which is a huge driver of our tourism industry and definer of our City’s identity. I look forward to working with the War Memorial Trustees and staff, our incredible tenants and arts organizations, and our vibrant Veterans groups to further the mission of this department. As a proud member of the LGBT+ community, I’m also excited to work with Mayor Breed on her goal of increasing equity and opportunity for artists in San Francisco.”

Since 2016 Caldon has served as Director of City Hall Events for San Francisco City Hall, and prior to that as WMPAC Communications and Events Manager for seven years, during which time he worked extensively in all WMPAC venues and on the San Francisco Symphony’s Black and White Balls in 2010 and 2012. He was instrumental in the filming of Danny Boyle’s major motion picture Steve Jobs, which showcased the War Memorial Opera House and Davies Symphony Hall while generating a positive local economic impact of $8 million.

“We are delighted that John Caldon will be returning to the War Memorial in the role of Managing Director to guide the strategic and operational leadership of the City’s premier performing arts venues,” said Nancy H. Bechtle, President of the War Memorial Board of Trustees.

Caldon holds a B.A. in Creative Writing with a Theatre Minor from San Francisco State University. His career in theater production and facilities management spans more than 20 years, including work in various production capacities for several of California’s regional theaters and as a shipboard production manager for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.

Comprised of the War Memorial Opera House, Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall, Herbst Theatre, The Green Room, The Wilsey Center (Atrium Theater, Education Studio), and Harold L. Zellerbach Rehearsal Hall, the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center is a landmark cultural institution owned and operated by the City and County of San Francisco. Home to the San Francisco Ballet, San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Posts of the American Legion, and many other arts and veterans organizations, these uniquely beautiful venues have a combined capacity of almost 7,000 seats and host over one million visitors annually.

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