Newly Named Ceo Plans Improvements For Historical Museum

By Yeleny Suarez
The Historical Museum of Southern Florida’s new chief executive, Robert McCammon, already has set short- and long-term goals.

"The first and most important goal is the passage of the General Obligation Bond Nov. 2. My long-term goal is to improve the museum and make it more recognizable," he said.

The bond issue includes $175 million for the facility to move with the Miami Museum of Science & Space Transit Planetarium to Museum Park Miami, which the city plans for Bicentennial Park. The facility could lead to joint exhibits and shared resources.

The Historical Museum’s board unanimously approved Mr. McCammon as CEO and president Sept. 23.

Mr. McCammon had been interim president since Feb. 20, after 19-year veteran Andrew Brian retired.

"We have been reviewing and watching his progress. We saw he effectively managed and improved the museum’s operations, so we appointed him," said museum trustee William Holly.

Mr. McCammon said he is pleased with the decision.

"Executives liked what I was doing, and I liked what I was doing, so the board endorsed it. It worked out for the best for everybody," he said.

The museum, which now is at 101 W. Flagler St. has a mission to create awareness of the stories of South Florida and the Caribbean.

Mr. McCammon said he has welcomed "a couple of hundred members" in the past seven months. "We want people to recognize we represent what has happened and the different cultures in South Florida today."