A Note from the President

I am very pleased to announce that Chris Cox will be joining the senior staff of IYRS and MOY. Chris will be a Vice President, serving on the management committee, heading up Development, and being the Director of the museum.

Chris has served in senior management for a variety of non-profits. He possesses the important experience in institutional growth, mission advancement, philanthropy, and organizational management. Most recently, he was the Director of National Heritage Development for the Connecticut Humanities Council’s Encyclopedia of Connecticut History Online projects. Recent consulting projects include a strategic development plan for program support at Connecticut Public Broadcasting, board advisor for strategic alliances at Aid to Artisans, leadership and development planning at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum, and interim director at Plimoth Plantation. Chris worked for 15 years at Mystic Seaport, serving as Vice President for Development and Communications prior to leaving. Previously, he was Associate Director for Development and Programs at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, CT for 8 years. Before joining the Atheneum, Chris worked in a variety of education-based positions throughout New England.

Chris has served on the Board of Directors and Committees of the American Association of Museums, the Connecticut Humanities Council, the New England Museum Association, the Mystic Chamber of Commerce, the Mystic and Noank Library, and the Williams School. Chris was also involved in the establishment of the AMISTAD FOUNDATION at the Wadsworth Atheneum, and the building of the Freedom Schooner AMISTAD at Mystic Seaport.

He grew up around boats. Early years were in Menemsha and then sailing Beetle Cats in Nantucket. Later, there were family cruising boats out of Pequot Yacht Club, Essex Yacht Club, Dodson Boat Yard, Kennebunkport, and Ilesboro. With continuing trips between southern New England and Maine, Chris’ lifestyle has always included boats and his young family annually cruised the coast in a wooden lobster-yacht with a sailing nutshell pram.

We are fortunate indeed to have Chris aboard. It is another example of how IYRS has matured and will continue its progress.

-Terry Nathan