The head of the Miss America Organization has stepped down months before the September pageant in Atlantic City.
CEO and president Art McMaster tells The Press of Atlantic City he needed to take a break after bringing the pageant back to the seashore resort.
McMaster, 59, has been with the organization for 14 years, becoming its head in 2004.
“After successfully bringing this thing back to Atlantic City, I needed to take a break from the action. It’s become such a 24/7 type of job,” McMaster told the paper. “Fourteen years of your life is an important part. I’ve loved every minute of it.”
The organization's vice president, Sharon Pearce, will serve as interim president. Board chairman Sam Haskell will take over as CEO.
The new Miss America will be crowned on Sept. 15 in Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall without “There she is, Miss America,” being sung. The organization announced earlier this week that the iconic song performed after a winner is announced wouldn't be part of the pageant this year.
