Thorburn Associates (TA) has announced that Kalen Larson is now the managing principal. Kalen moves into the role previously held by Lisa Thorburn, founding principal of TA for almost 30 years.

“We’ve been working on our transition plan for the last five years and are excited to have Kalen step into this role,” Thorburn said. “I am confident he is the right person to provide the next generation of leadership and continue TA’s commitment to client satisfaction.”

Steve Thorburn, founding principal of TA, said, “When we first met, Kalen mentioned he had been a faculty member at Michigan Tech in the theatre technology program. This is where I earned my bachelor’s in technical theatre and lighting design 20 years earlier. With both of us growing up in Michigan, we have a similar outlook on project management. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with Kalen on upcoming projects.”

Kalen has 16 years of experience and holds a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in theater and art from Siena Heights University, an MFA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an executive MBA from Quantic School of Business and Technology. In addition to being a tenured associate professor at Michigan Technology University (where he ranked in the top 10% of instructors), he was an instructor for the Town of Cary, North Carolina, Applause! Youth Theatre and assistant production manager for the PlayMakers Repertory Company in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Kalen has been a part of the ESTA technical standards program, establishing ANSI standards for theatre and served as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the ETCP certification program.

“I’m excited to continue the legacy that Steve and Lisa have built over the last 29 years,” Larson said. “The TA team is the best around and I’m honored that they trust me as managing principal. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with Steve, Lisa and the rest of the TA team.”