FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, July 11, 2011

PHILADELPHIA, PA – The Rosenbach Museum & Library – noted for its outstanding collection of rare books, manuscripts, furniture and art – announces the appointment of Arthur Spector as Chairman of the Board and the endowment of the Executive Director’s position at the museum through a $2.5 million gift from the Wyncote Foundation.

At a recent meeting, the Board of Trustees of the Rosenbach welcomed Mr. Spector as Chairman. He has been elected for a three-year term and now officially assumes the role. He succeeds former Chairman, Susan B. Muller.

The Wyncote Foundation’s substantial gift endows the existing Director’s position, now named in memory of noted philanthropist John C. Haas. Museum Director Derick Dreher, who has held the position since 1998, is the first John C. Haas Director of the Rosenbach Museum & Library.

“The Wyncote Foundation seeks to support efforts that strengthen culture and community. The Rosenbach Museum & Library has demonstrated a commitment not only to the highest standards in cultural programming but also to engaging the broadest possible audience. We hope that our investment in the Rosenbach encourages other organizations to follow in our footsteps,” said Wyncote Foundation Director Frederick Haas.

Arthur Spector, Chairman of the Board

Arthur Spector and his wife Miriam are well known in the Philadelphia and New York cultural communities as lovers of books and libraries, art and artifacts; and through their service on numerous charitable boards and events. An active member of the Rosenbach Museum & Library, Mr. Spector, 70, first joined the museum’s Board of Trustees in 2009. He is Managing Director and one of the founders of Safeguard International Fund, L.P., a private equity fund that makes controlling investments in industrial companies.

“Thanks to the work of Susan Muller, the Rosenbach has never been stronger,” said newly elected Chairman of the Board Arthur Spector. “Under Ms. Muller’s leadership, the Rosenbach conserved and installed the only surviving mural painted by Maurice Sendak and acquired an 1831 portrait of Rebecca Gratz painted by Thomas Sully, all while accomplishing several strategic financial goals. Creating financial reserves, making important capital upgrades, and growing the museum’s donor base have positioned the Rosenbach to lead more assertively.”

“Our priority right now is to move forward with our strategic plan by continuing to improve the visitor experience and increasing visibility for the Rosenbach’s programs and exhibitions,” added Mr. Spector. “Our talented professional staff, under the exemplary leadership of Derick Dreher, will work as partners with the Board of Trustees to help accomplish these and many other goals. I am confident that the Rosenbach Museum & Library will continue to grow and be a vibrant cultural center for Philadelphia and the region.”

Mr. Spector has served as Chairman or CEO of a number of public companies including Neoware Systems, Inc., NationsHealth, Inc., and State National Bank. He is a former Managing Director of TL Ventures, a leading Philadelphia venture capital firm.

Mr. Spector holds a B.S. from the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

John C. Haas Executive Director Position, $2.5 Million Endowment

The Rosenbach Board of Trustees is honored to officially announce the endowment of the Executive Director’s position with the $2.5 million gift from the Wyncote Foundation, granted in October 2010 following a recommendation from Mr. Frederick Haas, long-time Rosenbach Vice Chairman and Wyncote Foundation Managing Director, and Dr. Daniel K. Meyer.

The position will be named in memory of John C. Haas, who died in April 2011 at the age of 92. “The Wyncote Foundation is pleased that the Rosenbach chose to use the grant to honor my father, John C. Haas, in this way,” said Frederick Haas. “It is a fitting tribute to his leadership and commitment to the cultural community.” John C. Haas was the retired Chairman of specialty chemicals manufacturer Rohm and Haas, but was rightly known first and foremost for his civic commitments. Together with his wife Chara C. Haas, he supported thousands of charities, including the Rosenbach Museum & Library, and is best known for building the William Penn Foundation into one of the nation’s largest and most important charitable foundations.

Derick Dreher is the first John C. Haas Director. A native Philadelphian, Dreher, 44, joined the staff of the Rosenbach in 1997 and has been Director since 1998. Dr. Dreher received a B.A. from Princeton University and a Ph.D. from Yale University, both in art history. He is also a graduate of the Getty Museum Leadership Institute. He serves the community as a member of several boards, and is Chairman of the Philadelphia Area Consortium of Special Collections Libraries (PACSCL).

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