Berkshire Museum Names Jeff Rodgers Executive Director

PITTSFIELD — On the same day the Berkshire Museum opened more than 100 years ago, the museum will welcome Jeff Rodgers as its new executive director on April 1. Rodgers brings more than 20 years of museum experience to the Berkshire Museum’s top job. He currently serves as provost and chief operating officer of the South Florida Museum in Bradenton, Fla.

“The Berkshire Museum is, and must continue to be, an integral part of the Berkshire community. The museum creates experiences that spark new thinking and new connections bridging art and history and the natural world,” said Rodgers. “Over the past few months, I’ve met with leaders from across the community and came away buoyed by the spirit of cooperation in our conversations. I am eager to lead that work with a commitment to collaboration and transparency. I have a lot of listening ahead.”

Rodgers has served in a number of roles at the South Florida Museum. Since 2016, he has held broad leadership responsibilities for strategic planning, creating innovative programming, fundraising, and conducting outreach across the community to build and sustain crucial partnerships and collaborations. A former teacher, he also served in a variety of roles at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, including as director of the Moveable Museum Program.

Rodgers was the unanimous selection after a four-month search led by the museum’s board of trustees. The search was facilitated by a national firm, Brent D. Glass LLC, that specializes in museum management, and attracted a strong pool of applicants. Berkshire Museum staff and Berkshire community members participated in the search process. David Ellis, who has served as interim executive director, will work with Rodgers through a transition period.

“Jeff brings a track record of innovative leadership and creative thinking that will, true to our unchanging mission, take the museum into a secure and successful future,” said Elizabeth McGraw, president of the board of trustees. “Jeff shares our commitment to finding new and meaningful ways to connect art, science, and history for people of all ages across our community and this region. We are grateful to David Ellis for his leadership and wise counsel in this important time.”