Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas announced today that Shelli Taylor will assume the role of chief executive officer, effective May 1. Taylor spent almost twenty years as an executive with Starbucks, and most recently served as president of United Planet Fitness Partners, overseeing over 169 facilities across the country.
Founder Tim League will assume a new role as executive chairman, where he will lead the board of directors and continue to guide and develop bold new creative initiatives for Alamo Drafthouse, sister company Mondo, and genre festival Fantastic Fest. League will also continue to lead the eclectic booking and programming strategy that has defined the theater since it opened.
“Six months ago I began searching for a CEO who could work as a partner and collaborator, with a strong voice and battle-tested leadership skills. Shelli Taylor brings that and more,” League said. “As executive chairman I’ll continue to lead the brand, digging hard into developing new creative and marketing initiatives at Alamo Drafthouse, Mondo and Fantastic Fest.”
He added: “Alamo Drafthouse is the only leadership role I’ve ever known. I am in awe of the depth and breadth of Shelli’s leadership and brand growth experience. I am excited to partner with her to rise from the current challenges that our industry faces and continue to drive towards our company vision, to be the best damn cinema that has ever or will ever exist.”
“I am incredibly honored and excited to assume the role of CEO at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema,” said Taylor. “Tim League and his talented team have built an unequaled cinema brand that is built on passion, innovation, and a local community mindset encompassing everything from food and drink to fantastic programming. I am committed to Alamo Drafthouse’s vision of sharing the films we love with the widest possible audience while offering the best moviegoing experience in the industry.”
Taylor’s career as an executive includes twenty years at Starbucks, where she was instrumental in building a culture and infrastructure for rapid expansion in China. Those efforts resulted in the expansion of 500 stores per year, launching 3,000 stores in China by the time of her departure. She was also the vice president of Disney English China, China’s leading English Language provider delivering immersive English language learning experiences, products, and services for children. Most recently, she was the president and COO of United Planet Fitness Partners.