The Landers Center has seen some shakeup in its leadership in the past week, with two top officials being terminated on the same day.
The Southaven venue’s executive director and chief financial officer were both fired, with no public explanation given for the moves.
The firings come at a critical time for the Landers Center. Construction on the $85 million expansion to the convention space began in December, and work on the long-awaited project is expected to continue into 2027.
Here is a recap of what we know so far, as well as what is still to come at the Landers Center.
Who was fired at the Landers Center and why?
Todd Mastry was fired as executive director of the Landers Center on Jan. 6.
On the night of Jan. 6, Landers Center Executive Director Todd Mastry and CFO Jason Morgan were fired by the DeSoto County Convention and Visitors Bureau during a special session of the board.
Mastry had served as executive director of the Landers Center since 2008. He was also tapped to lead the BankPlus Amphitheater in Southaven in 2021. Mastry told The Commercial Appeal in December that he had been involved in the planning and discussion around the Landers Center’s $85 million expansion since as early as 2011.
Morgan began working at the Landers Center in May 2021. Prior to that, he served as CFO of Agricenter International for nearly 11 years.
In response to questions about the firings, DeSoto County CVB Board Chair Amy Lovorn confirmed that Mastry’s and Morgan’s contracts were terminated, but declined to comment on why that decision was made.
Morgan declined to comment due to pending litigation, and Mastry said he would comment through a lawyer at the appropriate time.
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Who is leading the Landers Center now?
Construction is underway on an $85 million expansion of the Landers Center in Southaven.
The Landers Center is currently being headed up by general manager Joel Crews, acting as interim administrator.
Crews has worked at the Landers Center for 15 years, becoming general manager in 2022. He has also previously worked as an adjunct professor of event management at the University of Memphis from 2011 to 2015, among other roles.
Are more staffing changes expected at the Landers Center?
It remains unclear if future staffing changes are in the works at the Landers Center. Lovorn declined to comment on other personnel matters.
What’s next for the Landers Center?
Lovorn confirmed that Crews is only serving in an interim role — the board intends to launch a “national search” to replace Mastry.
The firings do not appear to have halted the Landers Center’s $85 million expansion, which will turn the convention space into one of the largest convention centers in Mississippi at 76,000 square feet. Construction on a separately funded 240-room on-site hotel is also underway.
As of December, a “golden shovel” groundbreaking ceremony was planned for April or May 2025, and both parts of the project were projected to reach completion in the second quarter of 2027.
Who owns the Landers Center?
The Landers Center is owned by the DeSoto County Convention and Visitors Bureau. The bureau has a seven-member board, led by board president Amy Lovorn.
Besides the Landers Center, the board also owns the BankPlus Amphitheater, which resumed holding concerts in 2023 after a four-year hiatus. The Southaven venue saw $11 million in improvements and held a dozen successful shows in its first season back — all done under Mastry’s leadership.
Construction started in December on the Landers Center’s $85 million expansion.
Where is funding for the Landers Center expansion coming from?
The Landers Center expansion was described as “the biggest economic investment in DeSoto County ever” by DeSoto County Supervisor Mark Gardner, and its $85 million price tag reflects that.
The convention space, as well as the DeSoto Family Theater, which will be moved to the existing 17,000 square foot space, is funded by DeSoto County, the DeSoto CVB and Southaven.
The Embassy Suites hotel, though on-site and expected to reach completion at the same time, is a privately funded venture.
Jacob Wilt is a reporter for The Commercial Appeal. You can reach him at jacob.wilt@commercialappeal.com.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Landers Center firings: Breaking down the staff changes, what’s next