Avant Gardner CEO Removed, Destructo Takes Over
In the latest chapter of ongoing turmoil surrounding New York’s famed Avant Gardner complex, a major leadership shakeup has been confirmed. Effective immediately, Josh Wyatt is no longer serving as CEO of Avant Gardner, the parent company behind Brooklyn Mirage, one of the most iconic venues in the electronic music world.
The announcement was made via an internal memo shared on the r/avesNYC Reddit community, marking a significant shift as the venue grapples with operational delays, regulatory challenges, and a public relations storm.
Taking the reins in the interim is Gary Richards, known to the electronic music community as Destructo — the legendary founder of HARD Events and current captain of Friendship and All My Friends festivals. Richards, who previously served as non-executive Chairman of the Board, will now oversee day-to-day operations for Avant Gardner.
Richards will be supported by key members of Avant Gardner’s leadership team:
- Geraldine Clerfe, Director of People and Culture
- Alec Ifshin, Vice President of Finance
- Faisal Lateef, General Counsel
- Jermaine Santiago, Director of Operations
- Kenny Schachter, Director of Programming & Partnerships
- Stephen Wyker, Chief Technical Officer
This leadership pivot arrives just days after Avant Gardner was forced to delay the 2025 opening of Brooklyn Mirage — its flagship open-air venue — pushing all Memorial Day weekend shows and previous ones. The postponement sparked widespread disappointment and concern across the electronic music community, as ticket holders and artists were left scrambling. While the venue cited ongoing work with the City of New York to meet regulatory requirements, rumors swirled online about deeper structural and legal issues, with many pointing fingers at mismanagement at the executive level.
Public discourse surrounding Avant Gardner has grown increasingly tense in recent weeks, with Reddit threads and social media posts highlighting a lack of transparency, last-minute schedule changes, and dissatisfaction among staff and fans alike. The ousting of Wyatt and the appointment of Richards — a seasoned industry veteran with a reputation for curating visionary event experiences — may signal an effort to stabilize operations and restore confidence ahead of a crucial summer season.
Still, the road ahead remains uncertain. The Brooklyn Mirage, which has grown into one of North America’s premier electronic music destinations, must now overcome regulatory hurdles and reputational damage while preparing for a condensed and high-stakes season. All eyes will be on how Richards and his new team steer the ship — and whether they can fulfill the promise of an “unforgettable experience” for fans, artists, and the broader nightlife community.
