Welcome America CEO Michael DelBene exits after July 4 festival
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Photo: Lisa Lake/Getty Images for Welcome America Inc.
Michael DelBene is out as CEO of Welcome America, a surprising shakeup coming just days after Philly celebrated its biggest-ever festival for the nation's 250th birthday.
Why it matters: DelBene was instrumental in helping plan two of the city's biggest events this year: FIFA Fan Fest and the Fourth of July festivities on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Driving the news: The 16-day Wawa Welcome America festival will "ensure continuity and continued success … [in] its next chapter," the organization said Monday in a statement announcing the shakeup.
- Welcome America didn't provide a reason for DelBene's departure, only saying his tenure had concluded.
- DelBene said in a statement that he's moving on to his "next adventure" and is "confident the board of directors and extraordinary leadership team at Welcome America are well positioned for continued success."
Zoom in: DelBene was tapped as CEO in 2019 and became Welcome America's "longest-serving CEO," the group said.
- DelBene "helped oversee a period of significant growth" for the festival, Mayor Cherelle Parker said in a statement.
- DelBene called the latest festival a "spectacular accomplishment" despite extreme weather that forced organizers to cancel the annual parade and delayed Saturday's concert by several hours.
What they're saying: "The organization remains focused on its mission of producing impactful civic celebrations and cultural programming that bring Philadelphians together and showcase the city on a national and international stage," the group said.
Zoom out: DelBene's departure also comes as the festival faces lingering questions about its future branding and sponsorship after this year's concert was renamed under Parker's political messaging.
- City officials defended the decision as one that was civic, not political.
What's next: Welcome America did not immediately provide a timeline for naming DelBene's successor.