Thursday Kudos: Crystal Bridges Adds Four New Hires

Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville makes additions to its staff, a big reorganization shuffles personnel at the University of Arkansas, and a White County teacher receives a new honor.

CRYSTAL BRIDGES ADDS FOUR HIRES
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art has recently made additions to its museum relations, special events and curatorial teams.

Dina Wood of Springdale will assume duties as the museum’s director of development; Suzanne Navarra of Bentonville has been chosen as manager of the museum’s guest services team; Barbara Tillman of Bella Vista joins the special events staff as outside sales manager; and Chad Alligood of Perry, Ga., joins Crystal Bridges as assistant curator for special projects.

Wood worked in the Clinton administration serving consecutive appointments in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the White House office of presidential personnel, and in the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) as director of the office of congressional and intergovernmental affairs, all in Washington, D.C.

Most recently, Wood held the position of senior director of development and external relations for the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, a position within the division of advancement at the University of Arkansas.
During her 11 years in university advancement, Wood led efforts that secured over $130 million in private support and directed major gift and campaign fundraising strategies for Fulbright College, the University of Arkansas Bands, and KUAF public radio.

Navarra came to the museum from the insurance business, where she has served several companies in client services and provider relations. Most recently, she served as account manager for Stephens Insurance Co. in Fayetteville.

Tillman has a background in the hospitality industry that includes meeting planning for Walmart, Mary Kay Cosmetics and several hotels. Most recently she was the director of sales at the Holiday Inn Pinnacle Hills.

Alligood earned his bachelor’s degree in history of art and architecture from Harvard University, his master’s degree in art history from the University of Georgia, and has completed his doctoral coursework at City University of New York (CUNY). After serving as adjunct professor of art history at Brooklyn College from 2010 to 2012, Alligood went on to become a curatorial intern for collections at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, where he provided research support for the development of large exhibitions of modern art in New York and abroad.

Alligood will work with museum President Don Bacigalupi on a new initiative to develop a major exhibition program that will have both a national and international presence.

UA ADVANCEMENT OFFICE RESTRUCTURES
The Division of University Advancement at the University of Arkansas has undergone a significant restructuring, with several staff members moving into new positions.

Chris Wyrick, vice chancellor for university advancement, announced the changes on Thursday (July 11). No layoffs occurred as a result of the restructuring.

Mark Power was named the new associate vice chancellor for university development; Katy Nelson-Ginder was promoted to assistant vice chancellor of development for external relations; Brenda Brugger has been named assistant vice chancellor of development for internal operations; and Ashlie Hilbun is now the interim director of development for the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.

These promotions were all effective July 1.

Greg Lewis, will assume the duties of director of corporate and foundation relations in development, effective Aug. 1.

Also, the restructuring moved Denise Reynolds, a 19-year veteran in the finance and administration division, to the position of assistant vice chancellor for finance and human resources. Eunice Alberson now has the position of human resources manager in the vice chancellor’s office, and Stephanie McGuire is now assistant to the finance officer. All promotions were effective July 1.

Melissa Banks has been promoted to executive director of donor relations and special events, effective July 1.

Ede Hogue will be the new associate director of donor relations and special events, and Robin Adams has been promoted to the new position of manager of donor relations and special events. Those two promotions are effective Aug. 1.

RURAL TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Beverly Froud of Judsonia has been named as the 2013 Arkansas Rural Teacher of the Year.

Froud, a family and consumer life teacher at White County Central High School, was presented the award by the Arkansas Rural Education Association and the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, who sponsor the annual award.

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in family and consumer sciences from Harding University and a Master of Science degree in family and consumer sciences from the University of Central Arkansas. Froud completed the Arkansas non-traditional licensure program in 2006.

The Rural Teacher of the Year Award winner is selected based on the quality and depth of answers to questions in the following categories: professional biography, educational history, professional development, community involvement, teaching philosophy, education issues and the teaching profession.