Friday, November 23, 2001 |
PTC Development Authority approves tennis chief as its new executive director By JOHN
MUNFORD Faced with the impending departure of amphitheater director Kristi Rapson, the Peachtree City Development Authority has decided to change its management structure. The authority, which also manages the tennis center, has decided to hire an executive director to oversee both operations. And at its regular meeting Monday night, the authority voted to hire tennis center director Virgil Christian as its executive director. The authority also announced that it intends for Donna Romeo, an assistant at the amphitheater, and Sean Ferreira, head professional at the tennis center, to be charged with the day-to-day operations of those facilities. Those plans will be finalized in the following weeks, noted authority chairman Tom Farr. The move will allow the authority to concentrate more on economic development, Farr said. It will also allow for some cost savings, he noted. "The tremendous growth and success of both projects has created the need for more executive oversight than the management committees of a volunteer board can provide," Farr said. "Virgil has demonstrated that he can manage people, develop and implement programs, market effectively and do this in a professional and personable manner. We believe that these are leadership traits that will insure the continued success of our projects." Farr said the appointment of Christian will not change the direction of the amphitheater or tennis center. Specifically, the authority wants to continue the high quality of the performances of the amphitheater and the continued success of the tennis programs, Farr said. "Our intent is to keep the successful teams at both the amphitheater and tennis center together." Christian, who will assume duties as executive director Dec. 1, has been connected with the tennis center since its inception. Prior to that, he was the director of tennis at the University of Pennsylvania after becoming the youngest Division I head coach in the country. Christian is currently managing the third and final phase of the tennis center expansion, which will add six additional covered courts along with a new clubhouse, administrative space and a new pro shop.
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