Krempasky set to retire
While Shop Farragut/Farragut Business Alliance executive director Steve Krempasky plans to retire, effective Monday, Nov. 3, he will still be around.
“I’ve enjoyed it very much,” he said. “I just didn’t know that 70 years would creep up on me.”
Still “I’ll continue with my other work in the community,” Krempasky said. “Along with Farragut Business Alliance, I have my own little production company (Masskus Productions), where I help area high schools and community groups produce plays.
“I’ll continue to do that,” he said. “That’s the love of my life and I’ve been involved in theater since high school.
“Now I help Knox County and even all the way to Seymour to help them produce their major musicals each year,” he said. “Currently, I’m working with Hardin Valley Academy and Bearden High School in their fall productions.”
In the near future, “I’ll pick and choose what I’m doing going forward but I’ll keep my fingers in the community across town,” Krempasky said.
“Of course, I won’t stop doing Shop Farragut things,” he added. “I’ll help and volunteer for this organization, which does so many good things for our community.
“They just be won’t pay me for the hard work I’ll be doing,” Krempasky said and laughed.
Still, “we built some great community-wide events,” he noted. “And, I’m sure Candace (Viox, Shop Farragut president) has got my home address and phone number, so we’ll stay in touch.
“We have a great board of directors right now, and they’re stepping up during this transition and looking forward to interviewing people to take over and continue the great work of Shop Farragut,” Krempasky said.
Meanwhile, the board is advertising the position and accepting resumes and letters of interest.
“They’re looking for somebody who can do social media, a person who can handle the computer workload and just the necessities of running a non-profit business and also one who has the enjoyment of the events and promotions that are put together throughout the year,” he said, adding the board also is looking for a people person and “one who loves to talk to businesses, help give them guidance … point them in the right direction.”
About retiring from FBA, “it just creeps up on you,” Krempasy said. “I had no idea that retirement was even available until it was there.
“Turning 70, I was able to max out my Social Security (benefits).”
Krempasky has been with Shop Farragut/FBA since 2016, starting events such as Dog Daze.
“I think the board is willing to accept any ideas, not only from the director but (also) from the community on anything they can put together and to build a profile of our community is welcome,” he said. “I guess there is a creative side to the job in that Dog Daze grew out of a promotion for a new pet store.”
He said one of the main reasons for moving the organization’s activities out of the parks and into shopping centers was to promote the Town’s businesses.
