PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A museum administrator with more than three decades of experience with institutions in Texas and California is coming east to take the reins of the Berkshire Museum. 

 

Kimberley Bush Tomio comes from the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, where she was director of museum services for the past decade. Her hiring was announced on Monday by museum President Ethan Klepetar, on behalf of the board of trustees.

 

Her appointment as executive director comes nearly a year after the sudden departure of Jeff Rodgers last September after 2 1/2 years with the museum. The board contracted with national search firm m/Oppenheim earlier this year to find a new leader for the 119-year-old nonprofit institution.

 

Bush Tomio also spent 12 years as director of the Tyler (Texas) Museum of Art, where she was responsible for all aspects of administration, programming, and operations.

 

"Kim brings an amazing amount of experience, talent and passion to the museum, and an additional perspective to the role of executive director. It's clear from her past work, and from getting to know her during the search process, that she is an extremely talented and hardworking museum professional," said Klepetar in a statement. "She is a proven leader who will continue to create exciting exhibitions and inclusive programs that welcome all audiences. We are fortunate to have her as the next executive director of the Berkshire Museum and the board can't wait to start working with her."

 

The Berkshire Museum was founded in 1903 by Zenas Crane of Crane & Co. along the lines of the popular natural history museums of the time. The institution includes art, local history, natural history, an aquarium and historical artifacts that include the mummy Pahat. The museum in this century has embraced technology and innovation in its educational exhibits and programming. Some $3.6 million has been spent over the last several years on infrastructure upgrades and building improvements. 

 

Bush Tomio will join the Berkshire Museum team at the end of August, as the museum prepares for the coming exhibition season. Having managed hundreds of national, regional, and international exhibitions, led community outreach initiatives, participated in the planning and execution of museum expansion and renovation projects, and developed long-term strategic planning, Bush Tomio comes to Downtown Pittsfield to lead the venerable institution into its next chapter, said museum officials.

 

 

"I am honored to have been selected to lead one of the most remarkable museums of its kind in the country. I look forward to working in collaboration with the staff and board to meet the expectations of the community in building upon its legacy of transformational educational and cultural experiences and anticipate with excitement what the future may bring," said Bush Tomio.

 

 

Editor's note: an earlier version of this article had incorrect information on Bush Tomio's degrees. iBerkshires regrets the error.