Lisa Specht named Music Center’s new board chair

The Music Center announced on Wednesday that its board has elected Lisa Specht to become the new chair, succeeding Kent Kresa who took on the post in 2011. Specht is expected to assume the role immediately.

Specht is a partner in the Los Angeles law firm of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, and has served as chair of the L.A. Memorial Coliseum Commission. She joined the Music Center board in 2007 and most recently served as vice chair.

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A spokeswoman for the Music Center said that Kresa is stepping down because he is moving with his family to Oregon. Kresa is a former president and chief executive officer at Northrop Grumman.

Located in downtown L.A., the Music Center is composed of Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the Mark Taper Forum and the Ahmanson Theatre. The organization’s main series is Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center, which presents major dance companies from around the world.

The Music Center opened in 1964 and will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year.

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