MEDIA: Victoria Cervantes
305-375-4141
vcervantes@historymiami.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2015
HISTORYMIAMI WELCOMES NEW PRESIDENT/CEO STUART A. CHASE AND
MUSEUM DIRECTOR JORGE ZAMANILLO
MIAMI, FL –HistoryMiami, a Smithsonian Affiliate and nationally accredited history museum
in Miami, has named Stuart A. Chase as the institution’s new President/CEO and Jorge
Zamanillo as Museum Director after the departure of Ramiro Ortiz, the museum’s former
President/CEO.
“Ramiro and Stuart, who have led the museum since they joined the institution in 2013,
accomplished the successful expansion into the former Miami Art Museum building as well reenergized programming to serve the museum’s diverse audiences,” said Phillip M. Hudson III,
Chairman of the HistoryMiami Board of Trustees. “This team launched more than 12
exhibitions, symposia, and the Museum Forum series, in a 24-month period and made great
progress in raising the museum’s profile in the community,” Hudson added.
“We thank Ramiro for his hard work, dedication and team approach, and wish him well in his
future pursuits,” said Stuart A. Chase, HistoryMiami President/CEO.
Chase a 35-year museum professional who has held leadership positions in museums in
Massachusetts, New York, Texas, and Virginia, will continue to work with museum staff and
trustees for the successful implementation of the 75th anniversary celebration that began with the
opening of the once-in-a-lifetime exhibition, The Complete Audubon: The Birds of America on
February 27, strategic planning initiatives and expansion projects.
Prior to HistoryMiami, Mr. Chase served as executive director of the Berkshire Museum in
Pittsfield, MA where he was a successful fundraiser, and completed the Museum’s strategic
priorities, including upgrading the 100-year-old facility and installing the landmark Feigenbaum
Hall of Innovation, a rich visual and didactic interpretation of the Berkshires’ unique industrial
and artistic heritage. He has a wide range of experiences in membership organizations,
fundraising and resource development, marketing and public relations, branding, facilities
management and advocacy and government relations. Previous to the Berkshire Museum, Mr.
Chase also held leadership positions at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute in
Williamstown, MA, Rockwell Museum of Western Art in Corning, NY, Raynham Hall Museum
in Oyster Bay, NY, Museum of the Southwest in Midland, TX. He holds a B.F.A. from Virginia
Commonwealth University, with advanced studies at New York University and Long Island
University.
A former Curator of Object Collections, Vice President of Expansion Projects and most recently
as Deputy Director, Jorge Zamanillo has directed museum operations, including exhibitions and
collections at HistoryMiami since 2000. Prior to joining the museum, Zamanillo worked as an
Page 2 of 2
archaeologist and project manager for the Archaeological and Historical Conservancy, Inc. He
has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from Florida State University and a Master of
Arts degree in Museum Studies. He currently serves on the board of the Florida Association of
Museums. An active member of the community, he previously served on the board of the
Historic and Environmental Preservation Board for the City of Miami.
About HistoryMiami
Founded in 1940, HistoryMiami, a Smithsonian Affiliate institution, is the premier cultural
institution celebrating Miami’s history as the unique crossroads of the America. We accomplish
this through education, exhibitions, city tours, collections and publications. Visit
www.historymiami.org to learn more about us. For general inquiries, please call 305-375-1492
or email: e.info@historymiami.org.
###