Kelly to head Business School at Oglethorpe University
Dennis Kelly, the Interim President of Smithsonian Enterprises, will be leaving the Smithsonian on Sept. 30 to become the inaugural Dean of the Q. William Hammack School of Business at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta.
Dennis W. Kelly
Kelly has served as Interim President of Smithsonian Enterprises since November 2017, overseeing its three business divisions—media, retail, and consumer products and licensing—as well as its two support units, human resources and finance/accounting. He supervises a staff of nearly 500 employees.
The media division includes Smithsonian and Air & Space magazines, Smithsonian Channel, Smithsonian Books, and visitors’ guides sold at museum information desks. Within the retail division are 24 museum stores, the Smithsonian catalog, cafeterias, two IMAX theaters and concessions such as food carts, simulators, and the carousel on the National Mall. Consumer products and licensing handles the creation and sale of products and services related to our mission that carry the Smithsonian’s name, including Smithsonian Journeys and Smithsonian Student Travel.
Most of Kelly’s career at the Smithsonian was spent at the National Zoo where he served as Director from February 2010 until November 2017. Under his leadership, the National Zoo received a $4.5 million gift to fund giant panda research, opened a new genetics laboratory, launched the Global Tiger Initiative, and opened American Trail and Elephant Trails. During his tenure, the National Zoo became home to American bison, welcomed a baby orangutan for the first time in 25 years, and transported giant panda Bao Bao to China to become part of the giant panda breeding program.
The search committee for Kelly’s successor will be announced in the near future.
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Posted: 25 April 2018
