THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 14, 1995 TAG: 9505140033
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARK MOBLEY, MUSIC CRITIC
LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
Former Virginia Symphony executive director Michael Tiknis has resigned his position as executive director of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, citing medical reasons. His departure comes as the orchestra is more than $2 million in debt and he is being sued by an employee for assault and verbal abuse.
``The severity of the cash flow situation is starting to make me sick,'' Tiknis said Friday. ``It is year five of orchestras in crisis for Michael Tiknis. I'm cured. No more orchestras in crisis for me.''
Tiknis, 42, became the administrative head of the San Diego orchestra in 1993, after holding a similar position at the Buffalo (N.Y.) Philharmonic Orchestra for less than two years.
Tiknis was executive director of the financially troubled Virginia Symphony from 1989 to early 1992.
The San Diego Symphony's operating budget has grown during Tiknis' tenure from under $8 million to $9.2 million. Tiknis said Saturday that the accumulated debt he inherited has stayed at $1.1 million. The orchestra has since drawn down a $1.7 million line of credit, has $400,000 in accounts payable and has fallen short of its fund-raising goals.
On Friday, Tiknis faxed a letter of resignation to San Diego Symphony board president Tom Morgan. Saturday, Morgan said Tiknis was not asked to resign.
``In fact, I was trying to discourage him,'' Morgan said. ``We're hoping he still might extend his contract. He's been successful in turning our ticket sales around in the past couple of years. . . . We had an accumulated deficit before Tiknis came on board. For years we have lived hand-to-mouth. I don't think it's any worse than it has been.''
The lawsuit against Tiknis was filed in San Diego County Superior Court late last month by San Diego Symphony facilities systems manager Karen Anderson. She is suing Tiknis and the orchestra for an unspecified amount.
Anderson alleges that Tiknis accused her of lying, shouted profanities at her, pinched her, struck her, embraced her without her consent and attempted to impede the progress of her written internal complaint. She says Tiknis' behavior exacerbated her dormant lupus and caused stomach pains and exhaustion.
``Michael and I vigorously deny and will vigorously defend the charges made in the suit,'' Tiknis' attorney, John R. Wertz, said. ``We believe the suit is groundless and it's a case of sour grapes.''
Tiknis will continue to consult with the orchestra on marketing and the booking of guest artists until a replacement is found. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Michael Tiknis, who was the Va. Symphony executive director for two
years, cites medical reasons for resigning.
by CNB