Orlando – The Orlando International Fringe Festival has a new head honcho.
George Wallace, who has been general manager of Fringe since 2010, is now the executive director. Wallace said the newly-created position is part of a restructuring process after Board President David Baldree stepped down.
“This restructuring helps us streamline operations and gives the organization a clear leader,” said Baldree, in a media release. “The Board has the fullest confidence that George will continue to be an excellent steward of Orlando Fringe’s mission, and a leader and advocate for artists around the globe. We recognize that he is a leader who, with several years’ experience with us, is the right person to lead the organization through its restructure and strategic planning process.”
Although he resigned the president position, Baldree will continue to serve on the board.
Wallace, whose education and professional background is in behavioral science and social work, worked his way up through the organization since he began as a volunteer in 2003. In 2008, he became Fringe’s volunteer coordinator.
“There’s always a level of nervousness when everything changes but I’m more excited than anything because this is such a wonderful organization and I just want to see it grow and be the best that it can be,” Wallace told Watermark.
As part of the organization’s restructure, all contracted Fringe employees will report directly to Wallace.
“I’m looking forward to working with our dynamic team and I want to stress the fact that Michael Marinaccio is still festival producer .His role as producer is unchanged,” Wallace said. “I’m looking forward to a great year.”
He said Fringe will continue to grow but not much will change in 2015. However, 2016 is the festival’s 25th anniversary and plans are already underway to commemorate “such a celebratory year,” Wallace said.
