South Shore CVA Leader Removed After Board Vote

Speros Batistatos (IIB Photo)

The longtime president and chief executive officer of the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority in Lake County has been relieved of his duties. Our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana report the organization’s board of directors voted to remove Speros Batistatos after weeks of conflict regarding contract negotiations.

Board members had raised concerns about Batistatos’ compensation, which totals more than $330,000 in salary and benefits, according to the publication. Batistatos will continue to be paid until the end of his contract in December or an agreement is reached between his attorney and the SSCVA.

The Times reports Batistatos had accused the board of violating state and federal laws. He claimed the board violated Indiana’s Open Door Law by discussing a tourism grant program in private.

The board has named Cathy Svetanoff interim president and CEO of the SSCVA. She currently serves as chief financial officer of the organization.

Batistatos has led the SSCVA since 1989 after leading the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority in New Jersey. The Times says Batistatos could not be reached for comment after leaving the board meeting following the vote and his attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.