Dick Bowers Retires as President of the Herberger Theater Center
Dick Bowers has retired as president of the Herberger Theater Center, a position he has held since joining the organization 15 years ago. As part of a planned succession, Mark Mettes, CFE, has been named president and CEO.
Bowers has been president since May 2001. Within his first two years, he expanded Herberger Theater’s Arts Education initiatives. The result was the launch of the successful Lunch Time Theater and Art Gallery programs that support and showcase smaller theater companies and Arizona visual artists. Bowers was also instrumental in guiding the organization through the recession and a full facility renovation. Including his tenure, more than 4 million patrions have enjoyed 11,000-plus performances since the theater opened.
The Herberger Theater Center PHOTO: COURTNEY SARGENT
“Becoming part of the Herberger Theater family and advocating for the arts in this community has been an incredibly rewarding and meaningful experience. I am so proud of this organization and what we have accomplished over the years,” Bowers says. “Mark has already done an exceptional job leading the critical areas of service delivery that define the Herberger Theater. He is a strong leader who will advance the organization to new heights through continued innovation and strategic engagement.”
Mettes has been with the organization since June 1990 and served as technical supervisor, vice president and CEO. He will continue to expand on partnering opportunities he has built with Arizona State University, Arizona Theatre Company, Center Dance Ensemble, iTheatre Collaborative, Arizona School for the Arts, Arizona Broadway Theater and others. Mettes and the board of directors anticipate creating opportunities to serve new and exisiting patrons, as well as the community through involvement with First Fridays and other collaborative programming.
Mettes also serves as first vice chairman of the International Association of Venue Managers.
PHOTOS COURTESY HERBERGER THEATER CENTER
