GM Resigns Abruptly

Intrust Bank Arena GM Chris Presson abruptly resigned May 7, citing “family reasons,” from the post he’d held for two years.

Presson, whose final day was to be May 7, told the Wichita Eagle that he decided to quit after assessing his priorities. “I need to renew my energy and think about where I’ve been and where I’m going,” he told the paper.

SMG regional manager Gary Desjardins told Pollstar that SMG would look for a replacement from within the company and did not expect the resignation, reportedly given with nine days’ notice, to disrupt Intrust Bank Arena operations.

“We recognize the time and energy required for arena management and appreciate the decision Chris has made,” Desjardin said. “We will look within our SMG family 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.”

Shortly after the resignation became public, Wichita’s KSN-TV News reported that Presson’s resignation was submitted just more than a week after a discrimination complaint was filed by former arena operations manager Shawn McGregor.

The television station reports that it acquired a copy of the complaint from the Kansas Human Rights Commission. It reportedly alleges that Presson fired McGregor “after an argument with two employees, one of whom (he) thought was under the influence of marijuana” but claims the firing was racially motivated.

“The matter is completely unrelated to Presson’s resignation,” Desjardins told Pollstar. “The timing was unfortunate, and it’s understandable that people might wonder if there is a connection. But it had nothing to do with Chris’s decision to resign.”