INTRUST Bank Arena General Manager Resigns

April 28, 2010

Chris Presson

By Eyewitness News (WICHITA, Kan.)

SMG, the management company for Wichita's INTRUST Bank Arena, has announced the resignation of GM Chris Presson.

Presson's last day is May 7th. A press release says Presson is leaving for "family reasons." He was named general manager in June 2008.

"Starting up the arena was a lot of work that takes a lot out of a person. It's just time to take a step back and spend some time with my family," Presson told Eyewitness News.

SMG says it will look within the company for a replacement "who can provide a high level of customer service, strong management skills and a clear understanding of the entertainment business to assure the continued success of the INTRUST Bank Arena," according to Gary Desjardins, SMG general manager.

Presson said he couldn't even begin to list all the duties of the GM but said booking acts, hiring staff and approving all payroll are just a few.

Sedgwick County assistant manager Ron Holt says the county appreciates Presson's work that led to a "successful opening of the INTRUST Bank Arena."

County commissioner Gwen Welshimer says she was dumbfounded when she heard the news Wednesday. She says Presson has done a good job and they had no idea this was coming.

Presson says he will be working with the assistant general manager over the next few weeks so that everyone is prepared. He adds the public shouldn't notice a difference during the transition between himself and whoever SMG hires.

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