A new year brings new opportunities

Al Horvath is Acting Secretary of the Smithsonian. He will serve in that capacity until June 30. Dr. David J. Skorton assumes leadership as the 13th Secretary of the Smithsonian on July 1, 2015

I am deeply honored to begin 2015 as the Acting Secretary of the Smithsonian, and look forward to the next six months of service to the Smithsonian in this new role. During this time of transition, I will do all I can to advance the many important initiatives you have made possible.

I have great affection for the Smithsonian, and not just because I have been an Under Secretary since 2011. I remember my first visit as a teenager searching for Archie Bunker’s chair and marveling at how many remarkable objects the Smithsonian had in its collections. I am proud that my career has brought me full circle—I now work at the place I admired so much when I was growing up.

Albert G. Horvath

The start of a new year is always a time to look forward to new opportunities and reflect on past successes. The Smithsonian is at a seriously amazing point in our history. We are digitizing our collections at a rapid pace, making them more accessible than ever before; we are sharing our educational programs with thousands of students throughout the US; we are offering inspiring art, science and history programs and exhibitions here in our nation’s capital and across the country; and we have significantly expanded our scientific research around the world.

We have just concluded six years of outstanding leadership under Wayne Clough, and the momentum the Smithsonian gained from his tenure is strong. Since becoming Under Secretary for Finance and Administration, I have been part of all Wayne’s major initiatives, and I know firsthand how important they are to the Institution. I also know that new opportunities and challenges will present themselves during the next six months. I will act in full consultation with Secretary-elect David Skorton so he can hit the ground running when he arrives in July.

I am grateful to my colleagues Richard Kurin, Under Secretary for History, Art, and Culture; John Kress, Interim Under Secretary for Science; Claudine Brown, Assistant Secretary for Education and Access; and John Lapiana, Acting Under Secretary for Finance and Administration for their support.

I look forward to continuing to work with all of you during my time as Acting Secretary, and I welcome your thoughts and suggestions. Thank you for your support during this time, and thank you for all you do on behalf of the Smithsonian.

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