CANTON ‒ The National First Ladies Library & Museum will soon have a new president and CEO.
Patty Dowd Schmitz, who has overseen the organization since March 2023, is relocating to Colorado “to pursue new opportunities,” the board of directors announced June 24. She is leaving effective July 1.
“Patty’s impact on the National First Ladies Library & Museum has been transformative,” board Chair Jacqueline Musacchia said in a prepared statement. “Her vision, strategic direction, and heartfelt dedication positioned the organization for a bright and exciting future. We are forever grateful for her leadership.”
The board noted that Schmitz, a Hoover High graduate, brought national attention to the organization through the renovation of First Ladies Park, welcoming first lady descendants such as Jenna Bush Hager, and promoting innovative exhibits and programming.
David Lee, the director of development and marketing, will serve as interim president and CEO. He joined the organization in October 2023.
“We are incredibly confident in David’s ability to lead the organization through this exciting newchapter,” Musacchia said. “He brings creativity, a deep passion for our mission, and a strong understanding of where we’re headed. The future is in great hands.”
It’s unclear whether Lee will retain the position permanently, but there are no immediate plans to conduct a search for a new leader.
Lee, a graduate of Canton Local Schools and Malone University, was selected as a Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce Twenty under 40! honoree in 2024.
He has been active in the Stark County community, including serving as a board member of the Canton Palace Theatre and the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Northeast Ohio. He also established and produced Canton’s 24-Hour Theatre, and produced over 40 theatrical productions in Stark County.
Lee said he is honored to take over the organization and wants to continue “to share the extraordinary stories of our nation’s first ladies in bold and engaging ways.”
“We’re excited about what the future holds,” he said.Founded in 1995 in downtown Canton by Mary Regula, wife of the late Congressman Ralph Regula, the library’s mission is to preserve, promote and educate about the significant role of first ladies and their contributions throughout history.
The First Ladies National Historic Site is operated in a partnership agreement with the National Park Service. The site consists of the Ida Saxton McKinley House, the family home of first lady Ida Saxton McKinley and the longtime residence of President William and Ida McKinley, and the Education and Research Center.
The site attracted 12,642 visitors last year, according to the National Park Service.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: National First Ladies Library & Museum welcoming new leader
Reporting by Canton Repository / The Repository
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