Frank LoPresti, former VP of Clear Channel Entertainment-Music Festivals, has resigned from CCE’s Indianapolis office, Sunshine Promotions, and formed a new company, Clutch Entertainment Group.
Clutch Entertainment Group will produce and present the Rib America Festivals in St. Louis, St. Paul and Indianapolis. LoPresti will maintain a working relationship with CCE and pursue other business opportunities.
A 25-year industry veteran, LoPresti has served in a myriad of roles including executive director of the Rib America Festivals since 2000; executive director of Sunshine’s Deer Creek Music Center in Noblesville, Ind., from 1995-2000; event services manager of Target Center in Minneapolis; GM of the Twin Cities Rib Fest in Minneapolis; and concessions manager of Polaris Amphitheater in Columbus, Ohio.
Lopresti declined to say if his resignation from CCE was related to the ongoing cutbacks at the company as it prepares to spin off from parent Clear Channel Communications.
“I thank God for giving me the opportunity to create and produce events, which is my passion,” Lopresti tells Billboard.biz. “Thanks to all of the folks at Sunshine and CCE for the past 10 years, and I look forward to continued relationships and new business opportunities.”
