The Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority is looking for a new general manager for the Augusta Entertainment Complex.
Chris Bird, who has led AEC, since January 2014, has resigned his position with the complex, which includes the James Brown Arena and Bell Auditorium.
He said he is moving to Charleston, S.C. to be closer to his parents.
“I’ve been gone 20 years, and I want to see their last chapter; you know, I want to be a part of that,” he said. “I live only two and a half hours away, still only seeing them five times a year. I’d love to have a standing lunch with my mom every Tuesday. That’s where I want to be personally, and I think the pandemic just teaches us all a little perspective.”
MORE: Extended-stay hotel downtown waiting on design and land acquisition
Bird’s resignation was announced at the Aug. 23 authority meeting, during which the annual report for 2021-2022 was also released.
In a news release that said it was the most successful year in the complex’s history, authority Chairman Cedric Johnson is quoted saying, the authority and management company OVG360 “significantly improved” the complex’s operating position.
“OVG360’s bundled approach continues to provide a tremendous financial return for Augusta-Richmond County,” stated Chairman Johnson. “Bringing in OVG360 has saved us millions since 2008. Our venue operating deficit has decreased from $1.28 million in fiscal year 2008 to $344,355 in fiscal year 2022. This is a 73% reduction in the deficit since fiscal year 2008.”
The report shows more than 161,000 people visited the James Brown Arena and Bell Auditorium during the year.
MORE: Augusta mayor continues fight to withhold evidence of spending
During the Tuesday meeting, authority Vice Chairman Brad Usry said he has received messages from the public about Bird’s tenure.
“We have heard people say, ‘Gosh, he’s going to be hard to replace,” he said, adding a comment from another individual. “’I hope you find someone as talented because he’s really improved things considerably during his time. In that position, I wish him luck.’”
Bird said, until his replacement is found, the complex is in good hands with Assistant General Manager Linda Roberts.
“Linda has been here 30 plus years. She’s the glue that holds it all together, he said. “The team is in place; OVG is the most powerful in the business with booking talent and leveraging relationships. So, I say just watch the wave of everybody moving to the southeast and Augusta to see those benefits.
The open position has been posted to nationwide jobs sites including ZipRecruiter and Indeed.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a general assignment reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com
