Drew Taylor announced as F.M. Kirby Center executive director

May 14—WILKES-BARRE — Drew Taylor has been named executive director of the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts.

Taylor, who joined the Kirby Center in June of 2002, was previously the center's director of operations prior to being named managing director in October of 2019.

Before joining the Kirby Center team, Taylor worked with General Cinema Corporation throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

He is a graduate of Leadership Wilkes-Barre and remains active with the organization as a member of their advisory council.

While at the Kirby Center, Taylor has dedicated much of his time and energy to keeping the building in the beautiful condition the community knows and loves. Most notably during the 20th anniversary 2006 major lobby renovation project, Taylor steered all the work, restoring the lobbies to their 1938 glamour.

Taylor led the organization through the past year when the doors were shuttered.

"When I was named Managing Director in late 2019, I never expected to face the challenges presented by the pandemic, no one did," Taylor said. "But our staff and board came together and faced the obstacles head on. With the help of various funding opportunities, the support of our community, and with the determination to keep the Kirby Center relevant, we now begin with our resurgence to get back to what we do best — being at the heart of the arts and entertainment."

The F.M. Kirby Center Board of Directors unanimously voted to name, Taylor, the Executive Director. The Center's staff, board, and donors look forward to reopening our doors this summer under the leadership of Taylor.