(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Frank LoPresti, the former Vice President of Clear Channel Entertainment’s Music Festivals division, has resigned from the company’s Indianapolis-based Sunshine Promotions, and formed a new company called Clutch Entertainment Group.

Clutch will produce and present the Rib America Festivals in St. Louis, St. Paul and Indianapolis. LoPresti will maintain a working relationship with CCE and pursue other business opportunities.

LoPresti’s 25-year career has included positions such as the executive director of the Rib America Festivals since 2000, the executive director of Sunshine’s Deer Creek Music Center in Noblesville, Indiana, from 1995-2000, event services manager of the Target Center in Minneapolis, GM of the Twin Cities Rib Fest in Minneapolis, and concessions manager of Polaris Amphitheater in Columbus, Ohio.

“I thank God for giving me the opportunity to create and produce events, which is my passion,” LoPresti told Billboard.biz. “Thanks to all of the folks at Sunshine and CCE for the past 10 years, and I look forward to continued relationships and new business opportunities.”

LoPresti declined to say whether his resignation was related to the ongoing cutbacks at CCE as it prepares to spinoff from parent company Clear Channel Communications. –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers