Texas Border Business
McAllen, TX – The International Museum of Art & Science announced today that its Board of Directors has unanimously appointed Ann Fortescue to be the museum’s next President and Executive Director, replacing Serena Pandos who left in January to become the Executive Director of the Louisiana Art & Science Museum in Baton Rouge, LA. Eryn Reddell Wingert, IMAS Board Chair, said, “We are very excited to announce Ann’s appointment as the next President and Executive Director of IMAS. Ann comes to us with a wealth of experience in key leadership areas that will help propel IMAS forward. Ann is the perfect leader to champion the multidisciplinary mission of the Museum and has a proven record of dedication to community and families.”
Fortescue will start her position at IMAS in mid-July and will relocate from Springfield, OH, where she is currently serving as Executive Director of the Springfield Museum of Art since 2011. At the Springfield Museum of Art, she led the financial turnaround of the Museum, the acquisition of the Museum facility through a capital campaign, and secured reaccreditation from the Alliance of American Museums (AAM). As Executive Director of the Springfield Museum of Art Fortescue oversees all aspects of the Museum’s exhibition and education programs, fundraising,
She holds a Masters of Science degree in Education from Bank Street College of Education, New York, NY, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Bates College in Lewiston, ME.
Wingert said, “We were drawn to Ann’s diverse background along with her experience working at a variety of museums, including her leadership role at the Heinz History Center directing education and visitor services.” Fortescue is very excited to be moving to McAllen and leading IMAS. She said, “My husband, Jeff, and I are thrilled to be moving to McAllen and look forward to becoming part of the IMAS and the McAllen community. I am eager to advance the great work done by those who have led IMAS before me.”
Fortescue was selected following a national search guided by senior search consultant Daniel Keegan of Museum Search & Reference, a firm in Manchester, NH, and Boston, MA, of which the Principal is Marilyn Hoffman. The search committee was chaired by Board President, Eryn Reddell Wingert and consisted of IMAS Board members Dr. Steven Block, Leslie Chavez, Jeri Clark, Juan Garcia, and Ernesto Sepulveda.
