Meet the new Civic Center director

After discussing plans and possibilities for the Asheville Civic Center with its newly appointed director on Thursday, ACC Commission Chair George Keller told Xpress, “I’m very, very optimistic about the future of things. I’m thrilled. … He’s got the youth and enthusiasm, which helps us.” Keller especially liked the fact that the new director shared the objective of “not just seeing the place used by a lot of people — which it already is — but to promote it for Asheville events” such as Bele Chere.

The new boss is Samuel Bass, a 13-year veteran in the business who is leaving a post with the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts in Amarillo, Texas. Before that, he was assistant manager of the Amarillo Civic Center. Bass is replacing former director David Pisha, who left the post last July.

“They made the right decision for director,” Amarillo Civic Center Manager Kris Miller told Xpress (see “Civic Center Gets a New Director,” Feb. 2, blog). “I would kill to keep him here. He is a sharp young man and a hard worker.”

Come see for yourself. Bass is being introduced to the community at an open house on Tuesday, April 1. A reception starts at 5:30 p.m. in the Civic Center Banquet Hall, followed by a short program of introduction at 6 p.m.

— Nelda Holder, associate editor

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