Memphis Development Foundation Names New President

The Memphis Development Foundation/Orpheum Theatre today announced that Brett Batterson has been selected as the new president and CEO of the organization. Batterson succeeds Pat Halloran who will retire after 35 years in the position at the end of this year. The hiring of Batterson was approved by a unanimous vote from the Memphis Development Foundation Board this morning.

Batterson joins the Orpheum from the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University in Chicago. Hired as the first chief executive officer of this newly reconstituted nonprofit organization and its 126-year-old national historic landmark theater in 2004, Batterson has led it to its current position as one of the most respected theater and performing arts organizations in the country. The Auditorium Theatre hosts a wide variety of the highest caliber professional programming, including touring Broadway productions, the Joffrey Ballet (Resident Company); major dance presentations such as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Bolshoi Ballet, Kirov Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre, as well as rock, pop, country and jazz concerts.

"I am very pleased that Brett Batterson has been selected to become the new leader of the Memphis Development Foundation," said Andy Taylor, Memphis Development Foundation Board Chair. "The selection of Brett comes after a lengthy, in-depth local and nationwide search, and extensive interview process. Brett meets or exceeds every job description requirement and has the personality to inspire all that meet him. I believe he is clearly the right leader to build on the success of the Orpheum and to lead the arts and education programs of the newly opened Halloran Centre."

Batterson was recognized in Chicago, not only for the performance excellence of the Auditorium Theatre, but also for his engagement with the community. He increased annual fundraising support 13-fold over his 11 years at Roosevelt University. He expanded annual programming in terms of number of events, variety of events, and size of audience and diversity of audience. Last season, the Auditorium Theatre hosted 414 events with a total audience of 299,000 in its 125th anniversary season.

"There were many qualified applicants vying for the position of president and CEO, and I am very pleased that someone with Brett's background and experience was selected," said Pat Halloran. "His proven skills in managing a historic venue in such a competitive market like Chicago will be invaluable to the historic Orpheum and the new Halloran Centre. I wish Brett well and encourage the community to support him in the same way it has supported me for the past 35 years."

Prior to his work in Chicago, Batterson served for 10 years as chief operating officer for the Michigan Opera Theatre and has extensive experience as a theatrical designer. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in Theatrical Design from Tulane University in New Orleans, and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts from Augsburg College in Minneapolis.

"I am honored to have been selected to lead the Memphis Development Foundation into the next chapter of its storied history," said Batterson. "Under the leadership of Pat Halloran, Andy Taylor and the rest of the theater's board of directors, the Orpheum has become synonymous with the finest in entertainment in the Mid-South region and the new Halloran Centre for Performing Arts & Education provides an unlimited opportunity to impact the region in a more profound manner. My wife Veronica and I look forward to relocating to Memphis and getting down to work fulfilling the important mission of the Memphis Development Foundation."

MDF President Pat Halloran announced his plans to retire effective December 31, 2015. Following that announcement, the MDF began a nationwide search for an executive consulting firm to assist in the identification of qualified applicants. The consultant interview process started in September, 2014 and culminated when the Board approved DHR International in March, 2015. DHR International has a global reputation as the leading consulting firm in the placement of Theatre and Performing Arts Executives.

Batterson was born in western New York but was raised in Iowa. While working in Chattanooga, Tenn, he met his wife, Veronica, a native of Chattanooga and then television creative director. Veronica is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. She has published three books.

The Orpheum, consisting of the Orpheum Theatre and the Halloran Centre for Performing Arts & Education, is operated by the Memphis Development Foundation, a nonprofit organization that seeks to provide quality, diverse entertainment and education programming to the Memphis region while preserving and improving the historic Orpheum Theatre and the Orpheum's role in downtown Memphis development. For more information, visit www.orpheum-memphis.com.

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