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Arts & Entertainment

Terry Emma Selected as New Executive Director of the Geneva History Center

Emma starts in early May.

The Geneva History Center Board of Directors has unanimously voted to hire Terry Emma as the center's new executive director.

Emma is a lifelong resident of Geneva, and a graduate of Geneva High School and Augustana College. She has served on the Geneva History Center Board of Directors for more than five years and has led the Geneva Hotel fundraiser, Davy Jones Concert, Geneva History Center Pub Crawl as well as actively functioning as the Geneva History Center’s “60 Men Who Cook” liaison.

Emma's enthusiasm, knowledge and fundraising experience is what ultimately won the board’s approval to appoint her as the executive director, board members said.

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Emma is currently the student activities coordinator at Geneva High School.  She will begin her duties in early May.

Emma follows in the footsteps of Dave Oberg, who left the executive position in October to take a job as executive director of the Grayslake History Center. Former Geneva Park District director Steve Persinger has served as interim director a since October.

John Bassett, president of the Geneva History Center, said Emma was the clear choice.

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“We have conducted a very professional search process. The search started with advertisements both locally and in the trade organizations," he said. "Well over 30 resumes were received from as far away as Massachusetts."

A subset of the board served as the Selection Committee to determine skill needs and desirable characteristics for the executive director position.

Final candidates were scheduled for interviews by the Selection Committee, visits to meet the staff, and given online assessments. The staff visits were to acquaint any outsiders with the Geneva History Center and to let the staff offer any input desired into the process. Additional interviews were conducted as well as background checks.

Bassett said Emma emerged as the strongest candidate to lead the Geneva History Center into the future.

“We are excited about moving the Geneva History Center forward on a sustainable basis and focusing on our core areas of education and exhibitions,” he said.

Emma released a statement following the board's decision on April 15.

“I am honored to work for an organization that I have always supported and is so vital to our community," she said. "It is a privilege to help preserve the history of Geneva, especially since my own family has been part of that story for over 100 years.  I look forward to this opportunity to work with the board, staff and volunteers and welcome others to enjoy the Geneva History Center’s exhibitions and programs.”

Most of this story comes from a Geneva History Center press release.

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