Mariners’ Museum President Announces Resignation

For Immediate Release

Mariners’ Museum President Announces Resignation

Newport News, Va. - (November 2011) - The Mariners’ Museum has announced the resignation of Dr. William B. Cogar, President and Chief Executive Officer, effective November 30, 2011.

Cogar joined The Mariners’ in 1998, as Chief Curator, and was promoted to Vice President of Collections, during which he worked to make the Museum collections more accessible both physically and virtually to a growing local, national, and international audience. Cogar left the Museum in 2002 to join Mystic Seaport in Mystic, Conn., as Vice President of Collections and Research. He returned to The Mariners’ Museum in 2007 as Chief Operating Officer and became President and Chief Executive Officer in November 2009.

Cogar will return to Annapolis, Md., to continue his work in maritime heritage and culture and to be closer to his family.

“We have been so fortunate to have Bill’s leadership and expertise, and everyone at The Mariners’ is grateful for all of the many contributions he has made during his tenure with the Museum. We wish him all the very best in his move back home to Annapolis,” commented John R. Lawson, II, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at The Mariners’ Museum.

Cassandra Greene, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees, will serve in an interim capacity as President and Chief Executive Officer until the position is filled.

For more information:
Contact: Marge Shelton
(757) 591-7707
E-mail: mshelton@MarinersMuseum.org

The Mariners' Museum, an educational, non-profit institution accredited by the American Association of Museums, preserves and interprets maritime history through an international collection of ship models, figureheads, paintings and other maritime artifacts. The museum is open from 10 A.M. until 5 P.M. Wednesday through Saturday, and 12 to 5 P.M. Sunday. It will be closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. For information, visit www.MarinersMuseum.org, call (757) 596-2222 or (800) 581-7245, or write to The Mariners' Museum, 100 Museum Drive, Newport News, VA 23606.

The Mariners' Museum and The South Street Seaport Museum of New York City are partners in America's National Maritime Museum, an innovative alliance recognized by an act of Congress in June 1998 to share collections, exhibitions, educational programs, publications, and other endeavors.