Elliot Gruber, chief development and external affairs officer for the Jewish Social Service Agency, has been named the new director of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum.
Gruber, who will take on the role of director starting Sept. 5, has more than 30 years of experience in the non-profit sector. He succeeds Allen Kane, who retired in January, as the museum’s director. Marshall Emery has served as acting director since Kane’s retirement.
“I am proud to have been selected to lead the National Postal Museum, which tells the story of our American journey, past, present and future,” said Gruber. “I look forward to using my experience to work with the museum’s staff, advisory council and the Council of Philatelists to build new partnerships within the Smithsonian, across the country and around the world.”
CHIEF DEVELOPMENT, EXTERNAL AFFAIRS OFFICER
As chief development and external affairs officer for the Jewish Social Service Agency since January, Gruber has been responsible for the organization’s philanthropic revenue, marketing and communications. Under his leadership, the agency launched a $6 million capital campaign to renovate one of its buildings in the Washington, D.C., area.
Before joining the Jewish Social Service Agency, Gruber was a principal at EHG Consulting, which provides strategic planning and operations and fundraising expertise to non-profit organizations. He has also worked with the Houston Maritime Museum, which is preparing to launch a $50 million capital campaign for its new facility scheduled to open in 2020. He also conducted a comprehensive review and analysis of the organizational and fundraising structure for Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C.
“Elliot brings great and relevant experience to the directorship of the National Postal Museum,” said Smithsonian Secretary David Skorton. “His skills as a museum leader and his fundraising acumen make him an excellent choice to lead this important museum into its next chapter.”
A PROVEN LEADER
Gruber was the president and chief executive officer of The Mariners’ Museum and Park in Newport News, Va., from February 2013 through April 2016. He managed a $7 million annual budget, 550 acres of parkland and a staff of 90 people.
He also established the Monitor Foundation, a non-profit organization overseeing the largest marine metals conservation lab in the world, to ensure continued conservation of the ironclad steamship the USS Monitor, which was built by the U.S. Navy during the Civil War.
From September 2010 to January 2013, Gruber was the senior vice president for resource development for the United Way of the National Capital Area. He was responsible for all fundraising programs, including the Greater Washington Give to the Max Day, which in its inaugural year raised more than $2 million in 24 hours.
Gruber was the vice president and chief operating officer of the Gettysburg Foundation from August 2002 to September 2010, during which time he directed the $125 million capital campaign to build a new museum and visitor centre at Gettysburg National Military Park. He oversaw all museum operations, including ticketing, reservations, visitor services and facilities management.
He has also worked in leadership capacities at the Ocean Conservancy, the Civil War Trust and the National Parks Conservation Association.
Gruber received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Brandeis University in Waltham, Mass., and his master’s degree in organizational psychology from Columbia University in New York City.