After only five months on the job, Shayna Bruce suddenly resigned her position as St. Pete Pride’s first-ever executive director last month. Her resignation left a gap in the organization just four months before the state’s largest LGBT Pride festival returns to Central Avenue June 26. Fortunately that gap was filled only weeks after her decision to leave the organization.
“We interviewed several candidates for her position,” said Pride Past Co-Chair Jeff Klein. As of Monday, March 1, Chris Rudisill is the Executive Director of St. Pete Pride.
“He may be new to St. Petersburg but he is definitely not new to community service,” said Pride co-chair Scott Turner in a prepared statement. “He has long been a voice for the LGBT community and an avid volunteer.”
Rudisill, 33, moved to St. Petersburg in October and was active in Myrtle Beach Pride in his native North Carolina and in CareTeam Inc., an HIV/AIDS prevention organization.
“Pride isn’t only about one day, me or the board of directors,” said Rudisill, who lives in St. Petersburg with his partner, Jacob Hamm. “It’s about the entire community and building that community every day, all year long.”
Rudisill plans to attend LGBT functions throughout the upcoming months to reach out to the community, its organization and its leaders.
An e-mail to Bruce seeking comment on her resignation was not immediately returned to Watermark. Turner did say, however, that she resigned to pursue other opportunities. During her tenure she oversaw several fundraisers and the InterPride Conference on St. Pete Beach last October.
St. Pete Pride 2009 brought more than 80,000 people to the Kenwood District of St. Petersburg. Organizers expect at least that many in 2010.
The eighth annual St. Pete Pride Street Festival and Promenade is Saturday, June 26. Several Pride events are scheduled throughout that month. More information and updates at the St. Pete Pride web site.
