William B. Cogar named next President and CEO of The Mariners' Museum

For Immediate Release

William B. Cogar named next President and CEO of The Mariners' Museum

Newport News, Va.-- The Mariners' Museum Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Dr. William B. Cogar has been named the next President and CEO of "America's National Maritime Museum," effective November 1, 2009. Timothy J. Sullivan, current Museum President and CEO, will retire on October 31.

"I am delighted that Bill Cogar has been chosen as the next President and CEO of The Mariners' Museum. He is a man of great character and a leader of exceptional talent. He is deeply knowledgeable about the maritime world and its unique culture. Great days and years lie ahead for The Mariners' Museum and all who love it." Sullivan stated.

In announcing Cogar's appointment, John Lawson, the Chairman of The Mariners' Museum Board of Trustees, said: "The Board of Trustees is excited about the future of The Mariners' Museum and looks forward to working closely with Bill on initiatives that will bring the Museum new recognition as a world class maritime center. He is well respected in the local community and has proven leadership in the museum field."

Cogar has served as the Executive Vice President and COO of the Museum since 2007, overseeing the Programs and Collections, Development and Marketing, Visitors Services, and Photography departments. He also oversees The Mariners' Museum Library, which houses the largest collection of maritime books, manuscripts, maps, charts, and rare books in North America.

A published author on naval and maritime history, Cogar is a frequent speaker at history and museum conferences. He served as a history professor at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland from 1983 to 1998, and was appointed director of the Naval Academy Museum in 1993. During an earlier tenure at The Mariners' Museum as Vice President and Chief Curator from 1998 to 2002, he worked to make the museum's collections accessible both actually and virtually. As Vice President for Collections and Research at Mystic Seaport Museum in Mystic, Connecticut, from 2002 to 2007, Cogar managed the curatorial, photographic, publications, and intellectual property departments as well as the G.W. Blunt White Library.

"I'm honored and grateful to the Board of Trustees to be named as the next president of The Mariners' Museum and look forward to continuing the fine work begun through the excellent leadership of Tim Sullivan and the Board," Cogar said. "This is an exciting time as we wrap up our 75th Anniversary and make plans for an even more successful future. With an unparalleled maritime collection, dedicated board, and exceptional staff, this institution is poised to accomplish great things in the years to come."

For more information:
Contact: Amy Richie, Public Relations Director
(757) 591-7738 or (800) 581-7245
E-mail: pr@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. Monday 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.