About three weeks after unveiling renovations at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena, president and general manager Roger Newton has left the post.
The Greenville County Arena District board, which oversees the arena, voted Monday to “sever Newton’s employment relationship” effective immediately. After a nearly hour-long closed session, all members voted in favor with Dee Benedict abstaining. The board also voted to offer Newton a severance package, but did not disclose the amount.
Assistant manager Beth Paul was named as interim general manager.
Board chairman Buddy Dyer said Newton submitted a resignation letter over the weekend, but could not reveal additional details about the personnel decision. “We just felt like we had a couple questionable years and weren’t real strong, and the board wanted to go and make an adjustment,” he said.
The board had discussed the possibility of bringing in an outside management company in recent months, but had tabled consideration of a proposal. Dyer said about again considering outside management, “We’re still researching that.”
“We think we’ve got some really great years coming up,” said Dyer, adding that business “is picking up a lot” after the slump in bookings in recent years.
