9 Investigates criticism of arts center CEO deleted after "draft" assessment

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts has hired an executive vice president nearly six months after a paid consultant recommended adding that position.

9 Investigates reporter Karla Ray first exposed that consultant's report, which detailed a toxic workplace within the successful arts center.

Since then, Channel 9 has learned that some of the consultant’s original suggestions, and criticisms of CEO Kathy Ramsberger, were scrubbed from the report that was made public.

The earlier version, dated June 2016, detailed a "workplace environment that feels reactive and chaotic," resulting in "higher than normal turnover."

Many of the comments from the June 2016 report focused on Ramsberger, calling her "hostile." The consultant wrote, "this is under no circumstances a healthy workplace even though it is reasonably clear she is very well-intentioned to bring the very best art services to the public with the highest standards possible."

The June 2016 report also contained information about the board of directors’ support of the CEO. The consultant wrote, "The Board doesn’t appear aligned in its support for the CEO. The gap is so large that some are ready to dismiss her immediately, while others would under no circumstance let her go."

A spokesperson for the Performing Arts Center told 9 Investigates by email, "As with similar cultural assessments, the process involves several rounds of research and interviews, drafts, assessment of those drafts, more research and interviews, discussion and reconciling all of the data obtained through the process. This collaboration ends in the final report, which is the document you received dated late August."

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said in a statement: "As a new organization or business, it’s always a prudent decision to undertake an assessment of the organization and management.

"As with any assessment, we would expect areas of improvement would be identified. The hiring of an executive vice president will ensure continued growth of the Dr. Phillips Center. Overall, the Dr. Phillips Center continues to exceed the community’s expectations and we are proud of the programming they offer to the community."

Cox Media Group