By Howard Pousner and Howard Pousner

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Atlanta Ballet is about to announce Arthur Jacobus, former leader of Seattle's Pacific Northwest Ballet and the San Francisco Ballet, as its new executive director. Jacobus most recently served as CEO and executive director of Pilchuck Glass School in Seattle, founded by noted glass artist Dale Chihuly.

"Arthur is a premier individual in the dance world and has the vision to take Atlanta Ballet to whole new plateaus and enrich the Atlanta community and arts in the region," said artistic director John McFall in a press release that was leaked to Atlanta blog sites before its official release by the company.

Jacobus assumes his new job in January, taking over from interim executive director Virginia Hepner, who has served since Barry Hughson departed to lead the Boston Ballet earlier this year.