VAM Announces New Executive Director
Richmond, VA - The Virginia Association of Museums (VAM) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Casey Jenkins, an innovative and visionary museum and community leader of diverse non-profit organizations, as its next Executive Director. Mr. Jenkin’s appointment follows a comprehensive national search conducted by VAM’s Governing Council.
VAM’s President, Karen Daly, states, “The entire VAM team looks forward to working in partnership with Casey on behalf of our vibrant Commonwealth museum community and is confident that he will guide VAM toward success in advancing our mission and vision.” Daly continues, “I want to thank VAM’s governing Council and the search committee for their dedicated participation in this successful search for our next executive director. Casey’s energy, expertise, and passion are ideally suited to lead VAM, the country’s largest state museum association, as we commemorate the upcoming 250th anniversary of our nation and beyond.”
A leader and public official with over ten years of experience in the museum field, Jenkins is recognized for his strong museum and non-profit management acumen in addition to his creativity and fundraising expertise. Jenkins brings with him a transformative leadership style and an exciting strategic vision for VAM. As a Town Council member for the Town of Christiansburg, his elected position has given him great insight into effective governmental relations and advocacy tools for museums and other non-profits and aligns with VAM’s focus on advocating for the importance of museums in our communities and strengthening the cultural sector by supporting museum professionals.
Jenkins has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Virginia Tech and has been a long-time member and supporter of VAM. A team-first and community-oriented leader, he has worked at museums and non-profit institutions across the Commonwealth including George Washington’s Mount Vernon, The Valentine Museum, and Downtown Blacksburg, Inc.
Jenkins currently serves as the Executive Director of the Montgomery Museum of Art and History in Christiansburg, leading a strong team through a successful capital campaign to address museum building enhancements and infrastructure.
“I am honored to serve as VAM's Executive Director and diligently work to ensure Virginia's museum community and cultural sectors thrive,” Jenkins says. “On behalf of VAM and its diverse membership, I look forward to supporting museums and cultural institutions across the Commonwealth through advocacy, thought leadership, and an entrepreneurial mindset. Additionally, as we approach the nation's semiquincentennial, I am excited about the critical role that VAM will play in celebrating the nation's storied history. I am deeply grateful to the VAM Council for this exciting opportunity, and I look forward to many prosperous years with the Virginia Association of Museums.”
Mr. Jenkins currently lives in Christiansburg, VA. His first day at VAM will be January 13, 2025.
For any inquiries or further information, please contact:
Karen L. Daly, VAM President
