After 18 months and a comprehensive national search, Alexandria has a new director for the Office of Historic Alexandria. City Manager Jim Hartmann announced that J. Lance Mallamo has been hired to fill the vacancy created when Jeanne Federico retired in early 2006.

We are very fortunate to attract someone of Mr. Mallamos experience in museum administration and community historic preservation. The combination of those two skill sets is rare and he has a track record of innovation and activism, said Hartmann. He has made the historic museum complex he now administers a center of excellence, and I believe all of these attributes will make him an important asset to both the Office of Historic Alexandria as well as the entire Alexandria community.

The City of Alexandria has a long tradition of being at the forefront of history and historic preservation programs in the United States, said Mallamo. I am honored to become part of the team of dedicated professionals who share a vision for excellence in the delivery of museum and heritage services, as well as historic preservation for this community.

The Director of the Office of Historic Alexandria is responsible for the management and oversight of eight museums and historic sites with an annual budget of $3 million, and serves as an important resource in the overall preservation of Alexandrias publicly and privately owned historic structures. Mallamo will assume his new responsibilities in mid-August.

Mallamo is the Executive Director of the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum on Long Island, New York. The Vanderbilt Museum contains 12 historic structures on a 43-acre site, and includes a marine museum and planetarium. He was successful in getting the museum re-accredited after he was hired, as well as increased attendance, and introduced a number of innovative programs.

He has been the official Historian of Suffolk County, NY (population 1.4 million) for two decades, and as its Director of Historic Services for 18 years restored, administered and expanded more than 200 historic and cultural landmarks and sites owned by Suffolk County.

Mallamo has a bachelors degree in history from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, as well as a masters degree in urban planning from Hunter College of the City University of New York.