It has been a turbulent decade for the ALSO Foundation, with questions being raised about its relevance and purpose. Financial mis-management and political infighting was finally steadied by the foundation’s previous CEO Lyn Morgain [second picture], who brought about a light at the end of the tunnel. Morgain is credited with having changed the ALSO foundation’s culture from being a very gay male mono-cultural group into a broad thinking and inclusive one, returning it to being a peak GLBTI Victorian organisation.

Lyn Morgain stepped down from the ALSO Chief Executive Officer role in October last year. ALSO board members reluctantly accepted her resignation. The search began for a new leader to take the precarious helm.

As ALSO gears up for its 30th anniversary celebrations this year, they have announced who will be taking over as their new CEO – popular queer community leader and arts advocate, Crusader Hillis [pictured].

Crusader Hillis has been the director of Gasworks Arts Park for the past few years, helping to turn it into a major festival arts hub featuring prominently in most major arts and entertainment festivals in Victoria. In his time there he focused on issues of community representation and access. His work with creating facilities at Gasworks for the hearing and vision impaired, and disability services, improved access to arts and social experiences for all.

Hillis has over 15 years experience in the arts and business, having most recently worked with Melbourne International Arts Festival. He has had a broad range of experience prior to this, including work in arts event programming, publishing, writing, editing, business and production management. Over the past 15 years, he has curated over 150 spoken word and performance events in Melbourne and Sydney. He was co-founder of the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, co-directing two festivals; was for two years a member of the programming committee of Melbourne Writers’ Festival; and served as a board member for the Victorian Writers Centre.

He co-owns Victoria’s biggest and longest running gay bookshop, Hares and Hyenas, with his partner Rowland. The bookshop is a queer cultural hub in its own right, being a centre for gay, lesbian, transgender, intersex and queer activities that range from exhibitions to spoken word events, to simply a safe meeting point. When at its former location, it played incubator to play writers and festivals like Melbourne Queer Film Festival.

“I don’t know how you found out, but yes it is true,” Hillis told Same Same. “I’m incredibly excited by the ALSO CEO position. I couldn’t be happier. It’s a great honour… and a challenge that I’m definitely ready for.

“Gasworks is a great place to work,” he added. “The people here are brilliant and I love working here. I will definitely miss it and the wonderful staff. But things are well and truly in safe and very capable hands.”

Hillis also said that if anyone is worried about losing Gasworks as a queer cultural hub, can put their fears at rest.

“You don’t have to worry about Gasworks. We have shown them what is possible here… the potential… Queer is here to stay, and it will be fostered and always welcome along with the many other programs that we have collectively helped set in place.”

A combination of excellent business acumen, solid understanding of arts and culture, experiences with areas such as disability and cultural difference, and hands-on, grassroots community experience make him an outstanding candidate and one that is sure to usher in much community support for the organisation.

ALSO President Jason Rostant was unable to comment about the appointment, but told us that an official announcement will be made next week. It is understood that Hillis is set to officially commence the ALSO CEO role in April 2010.