Howard Owen serves on the Board of Directors for the Fredericksburg Symphony Orchestra (FSO), infusing the organization’s governance with more than four decades of commercial enterprise leadership, corporate marketing experience, and deeply rooted regional civic advocacy. Mr. Owen is the President and Owner of Stafford Printing, a premier, full-service digital print and communications solution provider he founded in 1987 after a nine-year career in newspaper journalism and publishing. Under his innovative leadership, Stafford Printing evolved into a technological leader in the Mid-Atlantic region, pioneering complex data-driven e-commerce portals, variable digital press techniques, and advanced promotional branding architecture for regional entities. On the FSO Board of Directors, he seamlessly translates this extensive commercial acumen into strategic marketing guidance, utilizing his operational expertise to elevate the orchestra’s public positioning, corporate sponsorships, and physical audience acquisition campaigns across Central Virginia.
Parallel to his commercial success, Mr. Owen has built a major legacy as a regional “salute-worthy” civic leader and patron of orchestral music. He has dedicated his corporate governance strengths across several critical local steering platforms, including a multi-decade tenure as a Trustee for Mary Washington Healthcare (MWHC), Vice Chairman of the Stafford Hospital Foundation, and a multi-year executive panelist for the Stafford County Economic Development Authority. His extensive cultural stewardship is highlighted by his past board service for the University of Mary Washington (UMW) Philharmonic Orchestra, which previously honored his deep volunteerism and corporate giving with the prestigious Citizen Salute Award. A member of the Rappahannock Rotary and the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Owen continuously steers corporate philanthropy toward regional human services, volunteering for and backing groups like Friends of the Rappahannock, Jazz for Justice, Mary’s Shelter, and Empowerhouse. Through his governance seat with the Fredericksburg Symphony Orchestra, he coordinates closely with civic stakeholders to preserve the long-term fiscal vitality of the 75-piece ensemble while championing targeted outreach initiatives to expand high-caliber classical music education for youth.