Finley Stadium could have a new executive director as soon as next month.
Stadium Corp. board chairman Gordon Davenport said Tuesday that a mid- or late-June meeting could be called to recommend a full-time successor to Paul Smith. After more than three years as executive director, Smith announced his resignation Feb. 28.
"We have some good options," Davenport told Finley board members. "I'm not ready to discuss any long-term recommendations, but I hope to have a recommendation for you to approve in June, prior to our next fiscal year."
Paul Smith, executive director for Finley Stadium, speaks during a news conference at Finley Stadium on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2016.
Chris Thomas, the executive director of the Chattanooga Market at the First Tennessee Pavilion, and his Public Markets Inc. staff have been assisting Stadium Corp. members on an interim basis since early April. Thomas bought the Chattanooga Market in 2007.
When asked after Tuesday's meeting if he would be interested in running Finley Stadium on a full-time basis, Thomas declined comment.
Davenport praised Thomas for his work in this transition, saying, "Chris has brought structure, organization, thoughtfulness and responsibility. He has been a great interim manager for us."
Stadium Corp. treasurer Ryan Crimmins said the stadium had a $26,000 surplus through April.
"That's a little bit better than the last reporting period, but I do not anticipate an operating profit for this fiscal year," Crimmins said. "Breaking even is a possibility, and given the transition that's a pretty good report. We will have more accurate documents going forward."
Crimmins added that a $110,000 payroll increase and a $40,000 utilities increase from a year ago have resulted in the tougher bottom line.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.