(La Porte, IN) - There’s a new person in charge of the Civic Auditorium in La Porte.  The city hired Rhonda Ashcraft as the new director of the facility.

Officials cited her over 20 years of experience in management along with her work in other leadership roles in the private sector.  Park Department Superintendent Mark Schreiber said Ashcraft seems to be a great fit for running a facility that has hosted more concerts and other major events in recent years.

“It’s essential to have a leader at the helm who can keep the momentum while ensuring the building’s viability for the next generation,” he said.  Ashcraft will begin her new position after the first of the year.  She replaces Gregory Pietsch, who resigned several months after becoming director in January of this year.  Pietsch was formerly the hospitality director at the Kroc Center in South Bend.