Anaheim Performing Arts Center Foundation Appoints New Executive Director Gigi Fusco Meese

The Anaheim Performing Arts Center Foundation (APACF) has announced that Gigi Fusco Meese has been appointed as the organizations' first Executive Director.

Meese comes with a wealth of experience within the non-profit arts community, having spent the last five years at Musical Theatre West in Long Beach, where she held the title of Director of Public and Community Relations. Prior to her stint with MTW, Meese served for eight years as Executive Director/Producer for the Long Beach Playhouse, overseeing the operations of a two-stage performing arts venue. Her business background comes from 17 years in the mortgage banking/real estate industry. She currently sits on the board of directors for the Arts Council for Long Beach.

Meese is also an award-winning theatrical director and is the recipient of the 2006 "Distinguished Arts Professional of the Year Award" from the Arts Council of Long Beach. She has also been named "Woman of the Year in Theatre" by the Newport Beach/Costa Mesa newspaper the Daily Pilot.

"I'm thrilled and honored to be named Executive Director of such a fine organization, whose mission is to build and operate a new state-of-the-art performing arts venue in Anaheim," stated Meese. "I look forward to being the face of the organization while working with the community to make this mission a reality and enhance the quality of life as well as the economic bottom line of the area."

Linda Knohl, President of APACF's Board of Directors, said the organization "is pleased to announce that Gigi Fusco Meese has joined the foundation as its Executive Director as of Jan. 7, 2013. She comes to us after years of experience in arts administration. Her knowledge and background in marketing and public relations, as well as her strong administrative skills, will serve as invaluable assets to APACF. We look forward to a long and productive association with Ms. Meese."

A major fundraiser for the Foundation, The Great Gatsby Weekend - an extraordinary weekend of food, festivities and fashion - will be held Saturday and Sunday, August 24 & 25, 2013, at Dr. Howard & Linda Knohl's Fox Pointe Manor in Anaheim Hills. Tickets and information for this and all other APACF events are available by visiting www.apacf.org.

The Anaheim Performing Arts Center Foundation, a 501(c)(3) Tax Exempt organization, has been formed to build and maintain a signature building with state-of-the-art performance and educational facilities. Working with the City of Anaheim, corporate and private sponsors, we are dedicated to making the dream of a cultural center and performing arts theater in Anaheim become a reality.