Amid speculation the Maryland Stadium Authority was close to removing her as executive director and general counsel, Alison L. Asti agreed to resign Wednesday after reaching a settlement with the authority. The settlement ended what appeared to be a long-standing conflict between Asti and Gov. Martin O?Malley?s administration. Asti, who said she believed she was being forced out for “political reasons,” met with The Examiner Thursday to discuss her MSA career and what her future holds.
Q How do you feel, one day after agreeing to step down from the MSA?
A I feel excitement about the future … and relief, because it?s been very stressful for the last couple of months. I had always planned on going back into the private sector, and I want to do it while I?m still young [she?s 53]. I?m also looking forward to committing more time to the Maryland State Bar Association. It?s a big part of my life.
Q Are you satisfied with the settlement?
A We reached a fair settlement, and I don?t want to be someplace I?m not wanted. I think I could continue to do a good job, [but] I?m not a person who looks back.
Q Do you stand by your statement that “political reasons” were behind the speculation of your removal?
A There had been published comments regarding a desire to replace me starting in 2006, and I had heard those comments before they were reported, so I sort of expected coming to the end of my term. There was never any discussion about my performance, and that leads me to believe there had to be other reasons to replace me.
Q Was it difficult to come to work the past few months?
A When I had my first discussion with [MSA Chairman Frederick W. Puddester] about the topic, we agreed we were not going to discuss it among ourselves, and if there was a desire for me to move on, our lawyers would discuss it. We continued to operate smoothly and not be distracted.
Q What are you most proud of accomplishing with the MSA?
A Building the Orioles stadium and setting the standard throughout the country ? and perhaps the world ? for stadium design is something I?ll always be proud of. Getting a football team to move to Baltimore was something I really never dreamed we could do. Once we didn?t get the expansion team, it really seemed like a longshot. The Hippodrome Theatre project was the most complex, public/private partnership that I?ve ever been involved in. It took a long time to make it happen, but it was really another great success.
Q Is there anything you would have done differently?
A In the past three years [she was appointed executive director on Sept. 22, 2004] , I?ve really been doing three jobs. I?ve been the executive director as well as general counsel and director of development. I will say it?s been exhausting, and maybe I should have staffed up a little more.
Q How can the MSA improve its operations?
A We made substantial strides in improving our operations since the audit in 2004. We had real board meetings, and a lot more items were brought to the board. We also had quarterly budget sessions and debate. The accountability to the staff has increased dramatically. Continuing on the path we?ve started would be a good move, because we?ve really taken strides in becoming more organized.
Q What challenges do women face in sports-management fields?
A It is unusual to have a woman as the head of a sports-oriented agency. It takes a certain kind of person. I?m sort of oblivious to that because I grew up in a male environment. I was the girl playing cowboys and Indians as a kid. I?ve been pleased to overcome the challenge. I feel I have credibility with the teams, and I?ve been asked to speak at sports conferences all over the country. I think my knowledge and experience is well respected.
Q What now?
A I?ve always wanted to get into the sports-consulting world. The sports industry is always growing, and there?s no end to the opportunities, because people have always loved sports.
Q What will you miss about the MSA?
A I will miss the staff. It?s almost like we?re family. It?s just been a great ride.
Looking back
The apparent conflict between members of Gov. Martin O?Malley?s administration and Alison L. Asti goes back more than a decade.
In February 1994, then-Attorney General J. Joseph Curran Jr. wrote in a letter to Maryland Stadium Authority officials that he opposed the hiring of Asti as general counsel.
Curran, O?Malley?s father-in-law, wrote that his office should retain the responsibility for legal representation of the Authority.
Some of Curran?s previous advisers are now members of O?Malley?s administration.
Asti?s future with the MSA became clouded this past February, when a legislative audit of the Authority revealed several critical financial findings. Speculation over Asti?s removal grew in July, when O?Malley appointed Frederick W. Puddester as MSA chairman.
In a letter to the Authority this week, former MSA Chairman Robert L. McKinney defended Asti?s performance, saying the audit?s findings referred to the MSA?s prior executive director.
“It should be clear that if the governor has reasons [for ousting] Ms. Asti, they are not based on the audit,” McKinney wrote.
O?Malley?s representatives have said Asti has failed to produce evidence that there were political pressures on the MSA to remove her. ? Andrew Cannarsa
