Fox Theatre Foundation's executive director resigning

Herb Stratford confirmed Tuesday that he has submitted his resignation as the Fox Tucson Theatre Foundation's executive director, effective April 25. He told the board on Thursday that he would resign.

Stratford, 43, said he was quitting due to exhaustion. He said he worked every day, clocking more than 70 hours a week.

"I've pretty much run my course," Stratford said. "When I started this project, I never thought of it as a career."

However, his father-in-law, board member Bob Hannon, said he thinks some on the 10-member board had it in for Stratford.

While he stopped short of saying the board nudged Stratford out, Hannon said: "Some board members seem to think they'd do a better job. It was Herb who built the thing to where it is today. He raised 90 percent of the money to do it, and now they want to get rid of the only spark plug they ever had."

Board member Rich Singer declined to talk about the specifics of Stratford's departure or his performance as executive director, saying he refused to discuss personnel issues. He said a search committee designated by the board will meet soon to put together a job description and find Stratford's successor.

Foundation business manager Patty Yates would not disclose Stratford's current salary or the foundation's operating budget, saying the figures are proprietary information. Stratford earned $60,000 in 2005, the organization's most recent tax return on record at guidestar.org, which tracks nonprofit financial records.

Board President Ellie Patterson was unavailable for comment.

"I had conversations with the chairman of the board, who told me there were some problems with Herb they didn't like," Hannon said. "I don't know why it's gotten this far. … I'm not a detective, though maybe now I'll become one."

However, Stratford said he wasn't asked to step down and there was no more friction between him and the board than there is in any other non-profit organization.

"There were no pitchforks or burning torches," Stratford said.

Hannon "obviously has a biased opinion," Stratford said. "He's been involved as a supporter. He's somebody who is my family, and I can see how maybe he might have that perception," Stratford said, noting that Hannon has not been as involved on the board the past couple of months.

"My perception is I'm moving on to other things, and my perception is they're sorry to see me go. I've done what I've set out to do, and now it's time to do something different," Stratford said, adding that he offered to stay on with the Fox as a consultant.

Mayor Bob Walkup said Stratford will be missed.

"Herb was a dedicated guy. Every time I went to the Fox, there he was," Walkup said. "He wasn't a remote manager. He was an on-line, full-time guy. We want exactly the same kind of guy. We need somebody who really understands marketing and promotion."

Walkup championed the Fox Theatre through its rough road to refurbishment.

After receiving a $1 million federal grant in 2001, the foundation garnered $3.5 million in tax funds from the city's Rio Nuevo Downtown redevelopment project in 2002. However, the project fell behind when private funding couldn't keep pace as the cost of construction rose from $8.5 million to $13 million.

Stratford persuaded the city to lend the foundation $5.6 million from a sale of bonds to finish construction in 2005. As part of the deal, the city gained some construction management control and got two seats on the foundation's board, as well as one on the executive committee.

Although the Fox has yet to finish the year with a surplus, Stratford said the theater is budgeted to do so this year.

Rio Nuevo Director Greg Shelko was unable to provide the organization's budget or recent financial data. He said the Fox is required to make an annual payment on its loan from the city if its revenues surpass its expenses, which didn't happen in 2007, when he said the theater broke even. If no payment is made by 2011, the Fox is required to pay back $1.5 million.

Stratford said the venue holds about 16 events per month. They've ranged from movies to concerts such as the Duke Ellington Orchestra.

According to a press release issued Tuesday, the Fox has hosted 360 events attended by more than 108,000 patrons. Stratford said events in which outside promoters rent the Fox — usually for concerts — make the theater more money, and the theater takes more of a financial risk when it schedules its own events.

Stratford said leaving the Fox will be emotional.

"Certainly a little part of me is going to be a little sad when I'm not here," he said. "That's also weighed by the fact that I accomplished exactly what I set out to do."