Lynda Rose
Lynda Rose is coming back to her roots in Monmouth County after two years in Dennis, Mass., on Cape Cod. She is coming back to take over the newly created position of chief executive officer of the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank.
Rose, who retained her Rumson home while in Massachusetts, said she is from Navesink River clam-digger stock and is a third-generation resident. She considers the last two years working as the executive director of the Dennis Chamber of Commerce a passage in her life.
"Dennis is the heart of Cape Cod, right in the middle of the peninsula. It’s a wonderful place, but I guess it’s not home."
The theater’s board of trustees announced the appointment last week. Rose, who was finishing up her job in Dennis, will return to her Rumson home on Sept. 29 and start her new position on Oct. 2.
The appointment comes as the theater celebrates its first full year of operation since its divestiture from the Monmouth County Arts Council. Over the last year, the theater has expanded its offerings in a variety of areas, including popular music, musical theater, drama and children’s programming.
David J.V. Meenan, director of marketing, public relations and family programming, said the theater is experiencing incredible growth. "My department alone increased productions from about 110 a year to 145 anticipated for this coming year. We’ve started many educational programs as well as family programming this year and will need help getting them funded to develop the quality to a greater extent."
According to Mike Weil, chairman of the board of trustees, "This growth has necessitated the expansion of the management team to ensure the theater’s continuing vitality and prosperity."
Added Weil: "The board and staff are eager to roll up our sleeves with Lynda and build on the foundation laid over the last year."
Rose was not looking for another job when she was approached by board members. "Frankly, when they asked me if I would be interested, my first thought was to say, ‘No, I’ve made a commitment here.’ "
But the thought of going back home was too intriguing, so she came back for an interview. "I found so much energy and excitement that I came alive. Cape Cod is a place where people go to relax. Even Boston doesn’t have the energy of the New York City area," she explained.
Rose, who has two daughters, one living in Hoboken and one in Jersey City, said there were "many, many moments when I missed Monmouth County terribly and I missed my family, my home, the Navesink River. Still, I wasn’t actively pursuing a job [here]."
But her roots are deep in this area of the county. "My mother, my daughters and I all went through the Rumson school system," she noted.
The timing was right for her to leave her home state in 1998, but she feels that now is the right time for her to come back.
"When I left I had suffered a number of losses: my mother passed away, my children left home and I lost a cherished pet. I was feeling as though I was in a rut," she explained.
"People here on Cape Cod have a long family history in the area, but I never will. Cape Cod is not my home, Rumson is my home. Monmouth County is where my history comes alive. I can say hello to 25 people when I walk down Broad Street, people who knew my grandfather."
Rose said she is excited about the opportunity to contribute to the renaissance currently under way in the community through the restoration and growth of the historic theater. "It is a wonderful reason to return and I’m doing so with great enthusiasm and optimism."
Prior to moving to Cape Cod in 1998, Rose served for three years as president and chief operating officer of the Eastern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce in Red Bank. She had been with the chamber for 13 years, she said.
She has been active in many other organizations including the Red Bank Rotary Club, the Monmouth Players, Red Bank RiverCenter and the Shore Region Tourism Council.
She is a graduate of the Institute of Organization Management, a six-year, continuing education program focusing on the management of nonprofit organizations. In addition, Rose was a three-time recipient of a scholarship from the Center for Leadership Development.
As CEO, Rose will oversee the entire organization. "I will have full oversight of administration, financial, fund-raising and personnel, and I will have 13 people working for me. The first thing I’m going to do is get to know the people I’ll be working with. I’m a strong believer in a team environment. One piece of the puzzle can’t operate without the other."
In addition, she wants to get a handle on the theater’s financial status and spending priorities. "It’s a pretty complex budget. I need to become familiar with it."
And she needs to become familiar with the fund-raising efforts for renovating the facility. "Everyone’s concerned with the facility itself. It’s probably a never-ending process."
Along with Meenan, the management team includes Annette Bartolomeo, who, as director of operations, will continue to have the operational responsibility for the theater and its performances.
In addition to the expanded programming, which has audiences packing the house to see performers such as Bill Cosby, B.B. King and Ray Romano, the theater is also in the planning stages for a comprehensive renovation plan. The plan features improvements in both the function and aesthetics of the Red Bank landmark.
Meenan, who has known Rose for several years, said she always has a positive outlook. "She’s real strong in the areas that she will be covering for the Count Basie. Everything’s coming up roses for the theater. We’re excited to see what we will be able to accomplish."
Board Chairman Weil agrees. "As the Basie gets ready to celebrate its 75th birthday in 2001, things have never looked brighter," he said.
Rose also believes that things have never looked brighter for the theater and for herself. "I have a modest home in Rumson that I decided to rent when I left for Massachusetts. It’s a good thing I didn’t sell it."