Dusty Kurtz takes over as TicketsWest president

Jack Lucas, the founder and long-serving president of independent US ticket agency TicketsWest, has stepped down after 30 years at the helm.

Replacing him is Dusty Kurtz, who has been with the Spokane, Washington-based company since 2006, most recently as vice-president.

Lucas remains as president of WestCoast Entertainment, which promotes broadway shows across north-western America.

“When we started TicketsWest in 1987, we had a goal to be the best ticketing company that we could be,” Lucas wrote in an email to industry colleagues, seen by IAVM. “As I now reflect back on 30 years, and realise the significance of where we started and where we are currently at in our history, I am thankful for the many team members, both current and those in the past, that have helped to make TicketsWest into a national brand, and one of the premiere full-service/full-enterprise ticketing solutions in the United States.

“I am thankful for the many team members who helped make TicketsWest into … one of the premiere full-service ticketing solutions in the US”

“I am so fortunate that for the past 30 years I have had the great joy of being part of this history. To this day, I still enjoy and look forward to walking through the front door each and every day. I must confess, after 30 years I still love what I do, and still have a passion for my work.

“But after 30 years, there comes a time when you have to pass the torch on to someone else, and let them lead and create the vision for the next 30 years. I have finally made that decision.

“Dusty has had a great career with TicketsWest and has worked alongside me as my vice-president for the past several years. I can state without reservation that Dusty is ready to take TicketsWest to the next level. Dusty is ready to create the vision and the strategy to position TicketsWest for the future. There isn’t anyone that I would want to have lead TicketsWest than Dusty Kurtz. He is honest, forthright, a hard worker and provides all of the skills and experience needed to lead TicketsWest.”

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