The end of an era: Walter Ennaco is retiring

Virtual celebration is March 11

After 52 years with the Smithsonian, the Deputy Director of Smithsonian Facilities will retire March 12.

It is with mixed emotions that I share with you all that Walt Ennaco, our Deputy Director of Smithsonian Facilities and the Director of the Office of Planning, Design, and Construction, has decided to retire in the next few months. After 52 years of planning, leading, and completing tasks in the US Army, the Corps of Engineers, and finally at the Smithsonian Institution, his retirement is well deserved.

While with the Smithsonian, Walt led the National Museum of Natural History and the Museum Support Center through major infrastructure projects, helped evolve the Capital Program into a more efficient organization that now executes more than $200 million each year, and along with the National Collections Program and the Collections Space Committee, identified how infrastructure and collections space planning are mutually dependent and must be pan-Institutional to insure our millions of objects “last forever.”

Personally, I would like to thank Walt for always being there when needed, supporting his staff, leading innovation, and being a friend to us all.

I have asked Derek Ross, our Deputy Director for Construction Management, to step in as Acting Director of OPDC upon Walt’s retirement. We are fully confident in Derek’s capability, leadership, and management in carrying OPDC and SF forward as we continue with major infrastructure revitalization and begin the process of building two new museums. We will also be advertising an SI-only detail to fill the Acting Deputy Director of SF position and will share more information about that in the future.

Walt’s last full day at the Smithsonian will be March 12. Please join me in thanking him for his years of invaluable service to SF. I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say we will all miss him, but we wish Walt the very best in his retirement.

Nancy Bechtol is Director of Smithsonian Facilities

You’re invited to a virtual retirement celebration honoring Walt Ennaco! After 52 years of planning, leading, and making his mark in the US Army, the Corps of Engineers, and finally, here at the Smithsonian Institution, Walt is hanging up his hard hat. Please join us to thank Walt for his service and wish him the best in retirement.

Thursday, March 11
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Zoom Webinar – Access Instructions Below

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