Sandy Cohen Named New Museum Director!

 The board of trustees of the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center has contracted with Sandor “Sandy” Cohen of Albuquerque, New Mexico, to become the museum’s new executive director.

“We are pleased to have received so many applications from very qualified candidates, both locally and nationally,” board president Karen Russell said. “It was a difficult decision but we are confident that Sandy, with the support of our staff, board and community, has the ability to take us to the next level in our strategic planning.”

Cohen, who most recently served as director of the Albuquerque International Balloon Museum in New Mexico, was one of three finalists recently interviewed by the board. Cohen’s other museum positions include director of the LBJ Library and Museum in Austin, Texas, and assistant director of the National Museum of American Jewish Military History in Washington, D.C. He holds a master of arts degree from Wright State University and a bachelor’s degree in history from Towson State University in Baltimore, Md.

Cohen and his wife, Debbie, will be relocating to Wenatchee and he will begin his new post no later than June 15. He fills a position vacated by Brenda Abney in December. Jim Russell has served as the museum’s interim director during the candidate search.

Lynn Bourton of Diversified Human Resource Consulting was hired by the museum to oversee the recruitment process. Staff and board members were involved in interviews, and a public reception was held at the museum so that community members and stakeholders could meet the final candidates.