Governor Corbett Appoints Andrew E. Masich as Chairman of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett today announced the appointment of Andrew E. Masich, of Pittsburgh, as chairman of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), the commonwealth's official history agency.

"Andy Masich brings a wealth of experience from his career in museums," Governor Corbett said. "I am confident that he will be a strong leader and an advocate for the Commission's work."

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission is an independent administrative board consisting of nine citizens appointed by the governor, the secretary of education (ex-officio), and four members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly appointed by the leaders of their caucuses.

The PHMC works to preserve, interpret and promote Pennsylvania's past through the Pennsylvania State Archives, The State Museum of Pennsylvania, the State Historic Preservation Office and the Bureau of Historic Sites and Museums.  

Andy Masich is president and CEO of the Senator John Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh. Since 1998, he has provided leadership for the operation of the 275,000 square-foot History Center and its staff of 125 as well as the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, the Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Museum of Rural Life and the Meadowcroft Rockshelter archeological site, the oldest site of human habitation in North America (located near Avella, PA), and, most recently, the Fort Pitt Museum.

Under Masich's leadership, the History Center has become known nationally for its award-winning exhibitions and innovative educational programs. He has forged strategic partnerships with organizations as varied as the Smithsonian Institution, the Allegheny Conference for Community Development, Civic Light Opera, Neighbors in the Strip (NITS) and Boy Scouts of America, Pittsburgh's 250^th anniversary celebration and Pennsylvania Civil War 150.

Masich serves on the American Association of Museums Accreditation Commission and is an active member of the American Association for State and Local History. A recognized authority on the preservation and creative interpretation of history, he has been a faculty member of the prestigious Seminar for Historical Administration, and has authored or co-authored several books.

Masich formerly served in management positions at the Colorado Historical Society in Denver. He began his career with the Arizona Historical Society (1978-1990) serving as director of both the Yuma and Phoenix museums.

He holds an M.A. (History/Museum administration) from the University of Arizona.

For more information about the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, visit www.phmc.state.pa.us.

Media contacts:  

Gary Miller, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116

Howard Pollman, PHMC; 717-705-8639

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor