President and CEO
Pabst Theater Group | Milwaukee
Gary Witt has led the Pabst Theater, a 1,339-capacity concert venue in downtown Milwaukee, since 2002. The Pabst Theater Group’s portfolio has since grown to include the 2,450-capacity Riverside Theater, 1,000-capacity Turner Hall Ballroom and the 450-capacity Vivarium, along with The Fitzgerald wedding venue. The group books, markets and hosts more than 800 live performances annually at its own venues as well as Fiserv Forum, the Miller High Life Theatre, the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena and the Bradley Symphony Center. Beginning with just Witt and chief operating officer Matt Beringer as its sole team members 22 years ago, the company has grown to about 350 employees. PTG contributes more than $250 million to Milwaukee’s economy annually, according to the company. An advocate for music venues and downtown Milwaukee businesses – and not one to shy away from politics – Witt was vocal about what he said was an underwhelming level of ancillary events and economic activity generated during the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
2022 Wisconsin 275 Profile
Hospitality | Entertainment
President and CEO
Pabst Theater Group | Milwaukee
Gary Witt was handpicked by entrepreneur and philanthropist Michael Cudahy in 2002 to lead the Pabst Theater in downtown Milwaukee. Today, Witt oversees the group of music venues that includes the Pabst, Riverside Theater, Turner Hall Ballroom, The Backroom at Colectivo and Miller High Life Theater. Pabst Theater Group, which has about 350 employees, hosts nearly 700 shows and events annually at its own venues as well as Fiserv Forum, the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena and Bradley Symphony Center. Witt was a vocal advocate for music venues throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, sounding the alarm on the lack of financial support available to the hard-hit live entertainment industry.
Education: High school
What was your first job and what did you learn from it?
“Peeling potatoes to make amazing French fries at a great hot dog place. Persistence. Every job is worth doing.”
What piece of advice has had the most significant impact on your career?
“Just do it.”
If you could have dinner with any two business leaders, who would you choose and why?
“Steve Jobs and John Doerr. Because I want to continue to grow to become even more intentionally restless, with ferocious curiosity and have an even better ability to execute.”
What’s your hobby/passion?
“Bicycling.”
What is your favorite Wisconsin restaurant and what do you order there?
“Goodkind. Brunch.”
What was your first car?
“A Ford Econoline van to haul my drums around to shows.”
If you could take a one-year sabbatical, what would you do?
“I will not. When I am done, I will be done.”
What’s the toughest business challenge you’ve ever had to overcome?
“The 100% shuttering of our business due to the pandemic. A few of us started a trade group called NIVA. I hired a major lobbying firm (Akin Gump) and we were able to obtain $16 billion dollars from the federal government to help to save the independent concert venues in America.”
What advice would you give to a young professional?
“It almost doesn’t matter what you know…it’s execution that matters most.”
What has been your/your company’s most significant success over the last 12 months?
“Surviving the pandemic and coming out stronger, better organized and financially stable.”
What is one thing you would change about Wisconsin to make it even better?
“Two things: 1. Change the cost calculus of inequality. 2. Revise funding for schools to not be based upon property taxes within zip codes and instead be population based, distributing the money more equally.”
As you enter your office, what would you choose to be your walk-up song or theme song? “Van Morrison, ‘Spanish Steps.’”