RED BANK: BIG MOVE FOR BASIE BOARD

Press release from The Count Basie Theatre

Amidst its $20 million dollar expansion and improvement plan, the Count Basie Theatre has announced the merging of its Board of Trustees and Directors and the hiring of a new Vice President of Development to join the newly appointed executive leadership team.

As a recognized 501(c)(3) organization, the Count Basie Theatre once operated under the guidance of two governing boards — one overseeing theater operations, and the other the non-profit’s fundraising efforts. With a single Executive Committee under the leadership of Chairman Tom Widener and Count Basie Theatre president and CEO Adam Philipson, the work to merge the boards into one, diverse and powerful force behind the theatre’s ambitious plans for the future have come to fruition.

“This is an auspicious, exciting moment for us at the Count Basie Theatre, said Board Chairman Tom Widener. “Merging the boards creates cohesion, clarity and focus at an important time in our history.”

The Basie has also announced the appointment of Maria D. Sorensen of Freehold as its new Vice President of Development. Mrs. Sorensen will be charged with spearheading the theatre’s efforts to develop and execute a robust multi-faceted, multi-year development strategy to meet the current and future resource challenges, including the Basie’s capital campaign. Sorensen comes to the Basie with more than 15 years of development, communications and strategic planning experience, most recently as the Director of Foundation Relations at Rutgers University Foundation. Sorensen’s development career also includes work with The Jewish Museum and Museum of Contemporary Art in New York City.

“The Count Basie Theatre is an organization that I’ve long admired,” said Sorensen. “Its diverse performances and educational programs contribute to our cultural fabric and enrich the lives of all in our region. I’m thrilled to join its leadership team and I’m so excited to be part of its evolution into a dynamic, regional campus that celebrates the performing arts.”

Sorensen will be part of the Basie’s leadership team under the direction of CEO Philipson. The Basie has also appointed three new departmental vice presidents to join Izzy Sackowitz, VP of Operations, to round out its leadership team: Karen Franklin of Matawan as Vice President of Finance, Yvonne Lamb-Scudiery of Red Bank as Vice President of Education and Jonathan Vena of Wall as Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations.

“The feeling right now is that we are firing on all cylinders, said Philipson. “With a team of passionate leaders and their committed staff and a unified Board of Trustees we are focused on our mission and poised to become a regional center for arts and education.”

Count Basie Theatre, Inc. Executive Board

Tom Widener,Chairman

Michael Parent,Vice Chairman of Operations

Stephen Cutler,Vice Chairman of Development

Charles Woolston,Treasurer

Stuart Alderoty,Co-Secretary

Mark Hogan,Co-Secretary

Harry Agnostak,Human Resources Chair

Adam Philipson, President & Chief Executive Officer, Ex Officio

Count Basie Theatre, Inc. Board of Trustees

Mitch Ansell

Peter Ardolino