Fair Park First CEO Brian Luallen told The Dallas Morning News on Wednesday he’s resigning from the nonprofit after months of turmoil.

In a resignation letter, Luallen told the board the past few months have been “very difficult and uncomfortable to navigate.”

Luallen, who has led the nonprofit for five years, was at the forefront of commissioning a forensic audit into the park’s finances after a whistleblower sparked an investigation into the park’s operator, Oak View Group, for the possible mismanagement of restricted donor funds.

Tasked with being the conduit between the city and the operator of the 277-acre South Dallas landmark, Luallan notified the board in an executive session this week. His resignation is effective Aug. 15.

“It has been the greatest honor and privilege of my career to help guide the revitalization of Fair Park, an undeniable treasure for the City of Dallas and its citizens,” Luallen wrote.

In an interview with The News Wednesday afternoon, Luallen detailed how his passion project has been twisted into a professional pain at great personal cost.

Since May 1, the status of Luallen’s employment has been shrouded in uncertainty. City officials received a message that Luallen was no longer with the nonprofit organization, and Chief Impact Officer Alyssa Arnold was taking over as the interim CEO.

Luallen told The News that Fair Park First Board Chair Darren James invited him to the May 1 meeting to discuss cost-of-living increases. However, Luallen said, that’s not how the meeting played out.

James has not responded to three phone calls and a voicemail requesting a comment to confirm Luallen’s recollection. The global entertainment venue operator has previously denied any wrongdoing related to the ongoing audit, which is expected to be released in late August, according to Luallen.

Luallen said he was “blindsided.”

Termination attempt

He said he walked in and saw James, the Fair Park First’s governance committee chair and an Oak View Group executive. He was handed a confidential legal document terminating his position.

“This came as a surprise to me because certainly no one has ever suggested that there could be problems headed to what appeared to be a pretty unceremonious termination,” Luallen said, adding that he was given 24 hours to review the separation agreement “under the auspices of stepping away quietly.”

Luallen said he didn’t sign the document and left Fair Park that day without his mobile device and computer. But before he departed, he asked James if the board knew he was being terminated.

“Not yet,” Luallen recalled James saying.

A spokesperson for Oak View Group hasn’t get responded to a request for comment on Luallen’s departure.

Hours later, two officials with ties to the park told The News the board had not formally voted to relieve Luallen of his duties. The embattled CEO said the lack of a board vote was in contravention of the nonprofit’s bylaws. He also said James had pointed out “handling of the audit” as the main reason he was asked to leave.

Fair Park First Board Chair Veletta Forsythe Lill told The News that the board’s bylaws require the body — not an individual member — to handle hiring and firing of the nonprofit’s CEO. But the decision by James to attempt to oust Luallen didn’t come from the board, Lill said.

Luallen said the separation agreement was drafted by an attorney with no links with Oak View Group or Fair Park First. It is unclear who paid for legal services.

Still, the damage to Luallen’s reputation was done, he said.

“I have never had a performance evaluation in this job,” Luallen said. “I have only ever had glowing comments from the board. I have never had a corrective action. I have never had anyone sit down and say, ‘Brian, I think you made a mistake here,’ much less something more formal,” he said.

James’ decision was reversed during a May 5 board meeting.

The board voted to put Luallen on a 45-day paid leave instead and conduct a performance evaluation. He said he sat on the sidelines during that period and had no inkling of the charges against him.

“It was pretty clear to me that there was an intent to cast aspersions and make it look like perhaps I’d done something wrong,” Luallen said.

Last month, the board reinstated him, and tremendous fallout followed.

Oak View Group told former board chair Darren James they would stop paying Fair Park First salaries. James, days later, announced his resignation. Multiple board members in the finance committee followed suit.

Lill, who led fundraising efforts, was chosen as the new board chair.

Luallen said his return to Fair Park should’ve felt like a “personal triumph.” But the simmering tensions between the two entities weighed heavy on him. Lill said the board was sad to announce Luallen’s departure.

“We all recognize how difficult it would be to go forward in his current role and appreciate the sacrifices he has made,” Lill said in a statement. “We are truly grateful for Brian’s leadership over the last 5 years, which has been instrumental in guiding the revitalization of Fair Park. Brian has offered to be a resource in the coming months, and we appreciate his commitment to ensuring a smooth transition.

“The long-term health and stability of Fair Park is at the center of all decisions by the board. We support Mr. Luallen’s decision and we look forward to working with the City of Dallas and our partners as we move forward,” she said.

Luallen’s background

The CEO said the departure was the best decision for Fair Park. Luallen said he feels like a lightning rod for negativity that the park neither deserves nor needs at a time when it’s trying to amend a contract and create a model for sustainability.

Luallen has been leading an effort to amend its contract with the city and regain financial control over Fair Park’s funds.

He plans to remain through the middle of next month to help with a smooth transition of his responsibilities. Arnold, who was promoted as Fair Park First’s chief operating officer, will lead the nonprofit in the interim, Luallen said.

He plans to focus on his personal life before announcing any plans for future employment. Luallen’s background is in managing historic assets and large-scale events and raising money through public-private partnerships across the nation.

“This has taken a great toll on me personally, particularly impacting my health which I must prioritize,” Luallen wrote. “I wish to thank all the members for their statements of support and understanding.”