Bill Oberdorfer will discuss "The Avalon Theatre:  Then and Now" 11/24

Bill Oberdorfer has served as Executive Director of the Avalon Theatre in Washington, DC. Wharton Club members and guests are invited!

• Bill Oberdorfer has served as Executive Director of the Avalon Theatre in Washington, DC since 2005.
• On a whim, he attended a local meeting of neighbors interested in reopening the theater that had suddenly closed in 2001.
• That meeting led to the formation of the nonprofit Avalon Theatre Project and a founding Board - which Bill joined as Treasurer.
• The nonprofit, backed by a highly supportive community, successfully reopened the historic cinema in 2003 and, with major grant assistance from the DC Government, bought the Avalon building in 2006.
• Under Bill’s leadership, the Avalon team has expanded programming, launched a citywide film education initiative, invested heavily in its historic 1923 building and deepened its commitment to the community and social responsibility.
• He has been a strong advocate for reducing the Avalon’s carbon footprint highlighted by the installation of 199 solar panels on the Avalon’s roof
  in 2023.
• He is a DC native and holds a BA from St. Lawrence University and an MBA from George Washington University.
• Bill spent many years in corporate finance in the telecom industry, working at Nextel Communications and as an independent small business financial consultant, before the Avalon set him on a new path - one that has proven to be equally challenging, far more meaningful and much more fun.

• Wharton Club of DC Members - you can attend in-person with lunch at 30-35/person or by Zoom (prices to be determined after September 1, but please mark your calendar now)

• President's Club/Lifetime: You and 2 guests may attend
• Other Members: Yourself only