The Board of Trustees of the Springfield Museums, at its meeting late yesterday, appointed Holly Smith-Bové as the new president of the Museums, effective May 1. Smith-Bové succeeds Joseph Carvalho who is retiring after 34 years at the organization and 16 years as its president.

In making the announcement, Richard B. Collins, Chairman of the Board, said, “The board was very enthusiastic about its unanimous decision. Holly has been an integral part of the Springfield Museums for seven years and has done an outstanding job. She has demonstrated the skill and vision to lead this remarkable organization.” 

Smith-Bové joined the Museums as chief financial officer in 2003 and has served as interim president since January of this year. A graduate of Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y., she has worked in finance and management for more than 20 years. Prior to coming to the Museums, she was chief financial officer and chief operating officer of Motherwear, Inc.

She also completed a professional development program for new museum directors presented by the Yale School of Management and the American Association of Museums as well as the Achieving Excellence executive leadership program of Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Smith-Bové serves on the boards of the Springfield Business Improvement District, the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Hampshire Choral Society. She lives in Florence, Mass., with her husband and two children.

Photo by Michael S. Gordon, courtesy of The Republican.