Lerner hires two key leadership changes
ELKHART — The city of Elkhart has had two major leadership changes for The Lerner Theatre.
Carl Thompson has been appointed as the new general manager and Robert 'Bob' Garcia as the director of Events and Finance.
'This was a deliberate and thorough process,' said Elkhart Mayor Rod Roberson. 'We were committed to finding individuals with the expertise, passion, and vision to uphold The Lerner's legacy and to continue its growth in line with my administration's priorities. We are thrilled to welcome Carl and Bob to Elkhart.'
Thompson brings a dynamic blend of arts leadership, strategic marketing and community engagement to his new role as general manager, a statement from the city reads.
With over two decades of experience in the performing arts, Thompson has demonstrated a strong commitment to making artistic programming more accessible and enriching to diverse audiences, the statement reads. Most recently, he served as marketing and programming coordinator at Palomar College in San Marcos, California, where he led initiatives that significantly boosted attendance through strategic advertising and grassroots outreach. His prior 16-year tenure with The Nederlander Organization saw him rise to director of Marketing & Business Development for Broadway San Diego, managing high-profile Broadway tours and forging key media and sponsor partnerships.
Thompson also served as general manager for regional touring divisions and was director of Marketing for Knoxville Opera, where he helped launch the acclaimed Rossini Festival. He holds a Master of Science in Communications from the University of Tennessee and a Bachelor of Arts in Theater from the University of Memphis. Thompson is also an experienced educator in communications and media.
'I am thrilled and truly grateful for this amazing opportunity to serve the Elkhart community and join the team during this centennial celebration,' Thompson said. 'I look forward to sharing the story of The Lerner Theatre as we write a new and exciting chapter together filled with world-class performances.'
Bob Garcia is a seasoned entertainment industry executive with a career spanning more than four decades, producing and managing some of the nation's most iconic live events and venues, the city's announcement reads. Garcia's early career began at Florida Atlantic University and flourished during his 17 years at Radio City Music Hall Productions, where he led the finance division and line produced legendary events including six Super Bowl Halftime shows and concerts for artists like Frank Sinatra, U2 and Madonna.
He continued this trajectory as VP of Entertainment Finance at Madison Square Garden Company, overseeing operations across seven premier venues, including The Chicago Theatre and The Forum in LA. His portfolio includes leadership roles on events like the VMAs, Grammy Awards, Tony Awards, and benefit concerts. Garcia later served as CFO for Running Subway, producing acclaimed exhibits and shows like 'The Art of the Brick' and 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas.' Most recently, Garcia held leadership roles at nonprofit theaters in New York, Ohio and Florida, including the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando, where he provided oversight for artist contracts, Broadway settlements, and budget operations. With deep experience in both artistic programming and fiscal stewardship, Garcia is poised to play a vital role in expanding The Lerner's event offerings and operational excellence, the statement reads.
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Lerner hires two key leadership changes
ELKHART — The city of Elkhart has had two major leadership changes for The Lerner Theatre. Carl Thompson has been appointed as the new general manager and Robert 'Bob' Garcia as the director of Events and Finance. 'This was a deliberate and thorough process,' said Elkhart Mayor Rod Roberson. 'We were committed to finding individuals with the expertise, passion, and vision to uphold The Lerner's legacy and to continue its growth in line with my administration's priorities. We are thrilled to welcome Carl and Bob to Elkhart.' Thompson brings a dynamic blend of arts leadership, strategic marketing and community engagement to his new role as general manager, a statement from the city reads. With over two decades of experience in the performing arts, Thompson has demonstrated a strong commitment to making artistic programming more accessible and enriching to diverse audiences, the statement reads. Most recently, he served as marketing and programming coordinator at Palomar College in San Marcos, California, where he led initiatives that significantly boosted attendance through strategic advertising and grassroots outreach. His prior 16-year tenure with The Nederlander Organization saw him rise to director of Marketing & Business Development for Broadway San Diego, managing high-profile Broadway tours and forging key media and sponsor partnerships. Thompson also served as general manager for regional touring divisions and was director of Marketing for Knoxville Opera, where he helped launch the acclaimed Rossini Festival. He holds a Master of Science in Communications from the University of Tennessee and a Bachelor of Arts in Theater from the University of Memphis. Thompson is also an experienced educator in communications and media. 'I am thrilled and truly grateful for this amazing opportunity to serve the Elkhart community and join the team during this centennial celebration,' Thompson said. 'I look forward to sharing the story of The Lerner Theatre as we write a new and exciting chapter together filled with world-class performances.' Bob Garcia is a seasoned entertainment industry executive with a career spanning more than four decades, producing and managing some of the nation's most iconic live events and venues, the city's announcement reads. Garcia's early career began at Florida Atlantic University and flourished during his 17 years at Radio City Music Hall Productions, where he led the finance division and line produced legendary events including six Super Bowl Halftime shows and concerts for artists like Frank Sinatra, U2 and Madonna. He continued this trajectory as VP of Entertainment Finance at Madison Square Garden Company, overseeing operations across seven premier venues, including The Chicago Theatre and The Forum in LA. His portfolio includes leadership roles on events like the VMAs, Grammy Awards, Tony Awards, and benefit concerts. Garcia later served as CFO for Running Subway, producing acclaimed exhibits and shows like 'The Art of the Brick' and 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas.' Most recently, Garcia held leadership roles at nonprofit theaters in New York, Ohio and Florida, including the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando, where he provided oversight for artist contracts, Broadway settlements, and budget operations. With deep experience in both artistic programming and fiscal stewardship, Garcia is poised to play a vital role in expanding The Lerner's event offerings and operational excellence, the statement reads.
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A long-dormant plan for an apartment complex and clubhouse with two-level driving range at Gray Eagle Golf Club appears ready to tee off. The Fishers City Council was scheduled to consider an economic development agreement with builder J.C. Hart that would provide up to $7.75 million from the city for construction costs at 126th Street and Brooks School Road, a plan first announced in 2021. A hearing is set for June 16 at Fishers City Hall and Art Center. J.C. Hart wants to build a $50 million, 151-unit rental complex aimed at people 55 and older in a combination of apartments, townhouses, and cottage homes. The project will have a pool, pickleball and bocce ball courts, a clubhouse with an exercise room and lounge. J.C. Hart Senior Vice President of Development Todd May said the project is geared toward older residents but not restricted to them. 'The layout of the homes are meant to appeal to them,' May said, citing first-floor master bedrooms in the townhomes as an example. When the development was planned five years ago, that appeal also included pickleball courts, he joked. "Now everyone plays pickleball,' he said. 'This has been a long, long process.' The development will be a 3-story apartment building with 101 units and 48 cottage-style homes or townhouses. The golf clubhouse will be rebuilt with a 28,000-square-foot restaurant attached to the driving range with multi-story netting to catch balls, similar to a Topgolf layout, May said. A practice green, bathrooms, and improved irrigation and drainage systems will be added to the course. The city will issue bonds to help mostly with infrastructure improvements. They will be paid over 25 years by property taxes collected from the apartment and clubhouse through a special Tax Increment Financing District. May said the delay was because it took longer than expected to secure a loan for the project. Possible tenants, he said, have been lining up anyway. 'We have a long list of people waiting to reserve a unit,' he said. 'There is a real demand in Fishes for something like this.' May said the wait was worth it because it saved the golf course. Gray Eagle owner RN Thompson wanted to close the course in 2018 because it was losing money and too expensive to keep repairing. Instead, Thompson planned to replace the course with housing. Residents in subdivisions on the course fought to save it and various projects were proposed but rejected before J.C. Hart and Thompson agreed on this one.
