Pasadena Playhouse Announces New Board Chairman and Vice-Chairman

The Pasadena Playhouse announced today that David DiCristofaro, currently serving as the Board's Vice-Chairman, will be taking on the role of Board Chairman as of September 1, 2014. Board member Brad King will fill DiCristofaro's position as Vice-Chairman.

This announcement comes simultaneously with steps taken by The Playhouse in the planning of their centennial in 2017, beginning with the installation of new carpet and seating set to be completed just before the start of the theatre's season opener KISS ME, KATE starring Wayne Brady.

"I am glad to welcome David and Brad to these critical roles at The Playhouse. They are innovative thinkers with the power to see a vision through to completion. They honor our historic legacy with a pioneering spirit that will help set the direction for our next 100 years," said Elizabeth Doran.

David DiCristofaro is Executive Vice President and President for the Greater Los Angeles region of Wells Fargo Bank. DiCristofaro oversees more than 2,800 team members at over 150 banking stores geographically spanning East and South Los Angeles, the San Gabriel Valley, the Inland Empire, and the Coachella Valley. DiCristofaro assumed his current role in March 2010. Previously, he was regional President for Wells Fargo's South Coast Community Bank for four years. He also served as Chief Financial Officer for Wells Fargo's L.A. Metro region. DiCristofaro joined Wells Fargo through the former Norwest Bank in 1997 as Managing Director of Online Banking. In 1999, he was named to head finance and strategy for Wells Fargo's Northern California region. Before joining Wells Fargo, DiCristofaro worked as a consultant with BDO Seidman, a senior consultant with FinExc Consulting Group LLC, and as Vice President of Corporate Planning for Roosevelt Bank. DiCristofaro received his Bachelor's degree in Finance and Management from New York University's Stern School of Business. DiCristofaro currently also serves as Vice-Chairman of the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles Board, and on the Board of Directors for the Pasadena Education Foundation. He previously served on the Advisory Board for Miller Children's Hospital in Long Beach, California, and on the board of the Sacramento Ballet Company.

King is a visionary in the areas of technology and business. He has twenty years of experience as an entrepreneur building early stage companies. He has launched five separate companies and invested in four times as many early stage ventures. He was one of the very first Internet pioneers in 1994, developing some of the earliest Internet-based technologies. In 1998 he sold his company, Net Effect, to Ask Jeeves. He then financed several successful ventures including eHarmony and Baidu. His last venture, iChange, was recently sold to Herbalife. Separately, Brad has enjoyed producing independent films under the banner of Epiphany Entertainment. His last film won the Alfred P. Sloan award and was invited to the Sundance, Cannes and Toronto film festivals. Brad has served as a trustee to Thrive Foundation For Youth, an advisor to Fuller Theological Seminary's School of Psychology, and board member to Pasadena Heritage. Brad lives in Pasadena with his wife, Pamela (a professor at Fuller Theological Seminary), and their three children.

Joining DiCristofaro and King on The Pasadena Playhouse Executive Board are returning members Board Treasurer Tony Phillips and Board Secretary Linda Boyd Griffey.

"The Playhouse is stronger, more vital, and artistically as vigorous as ever as we head towards our 100th Anniversary. I am so happy to have the opportunity to partner with this new board leadership team as we head towards that golden event," said Sheldon Epps. "Their long time commitment to The Playhouse, their passion for our work, and their desire to support the goals set by the rest of the board and the leadership team guarantee ongoing growth and tremendous success for our valuable and much loved theatre."

For more information on The Pasadena Playhouse, visit PasadenaPlayhouse.org.

Pictured: Artistic Director Sheldon Epps, Board Chairman David DiCristofaro, Vice-Chairman Brad King, Executive Director Elizabeth Doran. Photo by Earl Gibson.