Wednesday, October 17, 2001
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Wednesday, October 17, 2001 |
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Amphitheater chief resigns By JOHN MUNFORD
Kristi Rapson is resigning from her post as director of Peachtree City's Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater. The resignation, which is effective Nov. 30, was brought on by a difference of opinion between Rapson and the Development Authority, which oversees the Amphitheater, Rapson said Tuesday morning. "When I originally took on the job, it was without any limitations," Rapson said, adding that she has had differences with the authority for a couple of years. Rapson also said she felt the amphitheater's administration was becoming more bureaucratic. "I had more freedom at the beginning," Rapson said. "... It was a hard decision to make." Tom Farr, chairman of the Development Authority, said the authority was surprised by Rapson's resignation. He said with Rapson's leadership, the amphitheater has made a lot of progress over the years. "To take it to where it is now is a tremendous accomplishment and a lot of the credit for that belongs to her," Farr said. The authority wants to seek applicants for the position, but the first goal is to create an appropriate job description with Rapson's help, Farr said. Then, the position will likely be advertised, perhaps locally at first, Farr added. Rapson has been the facility's director since October 1993 when the authority took over the facility. She was responsible for instituting the summer concert series, which has grown since its first year in 1994. The amphitheater brought in $1.14 million in revenue last year, a 26 percent hike compared to the previous year, Rapson said. Rapson said she is proud of the amphitheater's accomplishments during her tenure, including the renovations that took place at the facility. She is particularly pleased with the success of the concert series, which had sold out its available sponsorships, a rarity in the business, Rapson noted. "The amphitheater is a wonderful asset to Peachtree City," Rapson said. Rapson said she plans to do some private consulting work, particularly for other amphitheaters across the country who have clamored for information on how to run their operation as successfully as Peachtree City's.
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