For the first time in its 12-year history, Montreal’s Segal Centre for Performing Arts is not being led by a member of the Segal family.

Elliot Lifson, a longtime business associate of the Segal family, has been named president of the Segal Centre’s board of directors, following a vote by the board at its annual general meeting.

Lifson succeeds Joel Segal, who had followed his father Alvin Segal. The elder Segal took the helm of what was then known as the Saidye Bronfman Centre in 2007 and helped oversee major changes in its mission and financing.

Lifson, the vice-chairman of Peerless Clothing Inc., has been a board member since then.

Joel Segal will remain on the board as immediate past president, and Alvin Segal also carries on as chairman emeritus.

Lifson has a long record of philanthropy and volunteer service in Montreal, both inside and outside the Jewish community, including serving as co-chair of Centraide and chair of the Montreal Chamber of Commerce.

Lifson received his MBA from the University of Western Ontario. He has a law degree from the University of Montreal and is a member of the Bar of Quebec.

“It’s been an honour to serve as board president over the last four years,” stated Joel Segal. “The Segal Centre will always remain an important part of my family’s legacy and I’m confident in its future under Elliot’s leadership, as it continues to grow as a resource for the community, to create and produce exceptional theatre and to transform our national artistic landscape.”

Lifson said he is “excited to lead the board and work closely with artistic and executive director Lisa Rubin and management and staff at the Segal Centre, as it continues to establish itself as a leader in Canadian theatre.

“I am inspired by the outstanding leadership of my predecessors, Joel and Alvin Segal, and their dedicated commitment to the cultural crown jewel of this city that is the Segal Centre.”

A Federation CJA agency, the Segal Centre emphasizes original interpretations of classic and contemporary theatrical works with universal appeal and has established a reputation for producing new Canadian musicals.