Swift-Hanlon resigns as music center’s director of operations

The search for a new director of operations will begin for the Brown County Music Center (BCMC), as Andrea Swift-Hanlon announced her resignation April 3.

Swift-Hanlon joined the music center in April of 2019, ahead of the music center’s opening in August that year. She was promoted to director of operations in 2021 when the venue reopened after being shuttered from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Submitted photo

As director of operations, she managed the box office, ticketing and building events in Ticketmaster for sales, managed the front of house operations, including staffing, scheduling and management.

She was also responsible for some marketing and graphic design, working with tours on all VIP and “Meet and Greet” programs, planning and executing philanthropic endeavors, handling customer issues and questions and implementing process and procedures for operations.

The reason for her resigning is because of her family, she said earlier this month.

BCMC Executive Director Christian Webb said that Hanlon’s dedication and passion for the music center was evident in “all her efforts and accomplishments.”

“While the music center will miss her greatly, her family will truly benefit by her decision,” he said via email.

When Hanlon began at the music center, she had a 7-month-old son. He is now 4, and as he gets older, is getting busier and more involved in activities.

“I have worked in the entertainment world professionally in some capacity for the last 25 years, and I know that it takes a lot of hours and consumes your nights and weekends. That has never been a surprise,” Swift-Hanlon said.

She said that she knew when she took the position at the music center it would be a “big job and a lot of hours,” but life happens and priorities change.

“It was becoming apparent to me that while I was helping other people and their families make memories, I was missing out on my own family’s memories,” she said.

“The health and wellbeing of my own family was suffering. I don’t want to miss another game night, bedtime, family dinner, T-ball game, or swim lesson with my son.”

Swift-Hanlon said her decision to resign was difficult, but the decision to commit to her family was easy.

“I loved my job at the BCMC. It was the best job I have ever had,” she said.

“I also felt a duty as a sixth-generation native to Brown County to put the time and work in to make the BCMC the best it could be.”

Swift-Hanlon said she is considering “cultivating and curating” her own business, but is not yet sure what that looks like or what she wants it to be. She does have some ideas, she said.

“Firstly, and most importantly, I am going to take time to enjoy my family and spend as much time with them as possible,” she said.

Swift-Hanlon joined the music center with more than 20 years of experience in arts and entertainment, but had never been a part of a brand-new business being built from the ground up.

“A lot of people can put on their resume that they have worked in the same type of positions that I have held at the BCMC, but there are only a select few who can include that they helped build, formulate, write, and implement process and procedure for a brand-new music venue,” she said.

“Those skills have given me the confidence that whatever journey I take in my career, I know that I have a special skill set and knowledge base.”

Swift-Hanlon will be taking wonderful memories with her as she leaves, she said.

“When you put that much time into a job, you really get to know your colleagues you see every day and the staff that work event days,” she said.

“My memories that I will cherish will be the ones with my team. There are team members spanning the box office, security, stagehands, cleaning and volunteers who have been with the venue as long as me. You can’t put a value on the relationships you build.”

Swift-Hanlon said that she loves the music center, and believes in its mission and vision for the community.

“There are so many new and exciting things on the horizon for the venue, and I wish them all the success in the world. I will champion from the sidelines,” she said.

Once she gets settled and finds her way, she said she will enjoy the music center as a concert-goer.

For now, she is not going anywhere, she said, getting involved in other capacities in the community. This summer, she said she will be gardening, swimming, hiking, biking, playing in the dirt with her son and enjoying all that Brown County has to offer, alongside her family.

She also extended an invitation for a porch-sit and glass of iced tea.

She thanked the Maple Leaf Management Board of Directors for believing in her and allowing her to contribute expertise, grow and learn as a businesswoman.

She also is “forever grateful” to her husband, mom and bonus dad, and many other close friends and family who have “loved (her) through this journey of growth and hard work.”

“It has truly been an honor and one my greatest professional achievements to serve our beautiful community,” she said.

“I have met so many wonderful people who care deeply about Brown County and its future. It gives me so much hope. … I am very proud of the work and dedication I gave to the BCMC. I am confident that I have been an important part of the BCMC and our community’s history.”