The new faces at Museum Village

Monroe - Earlier this year, the Board of Trustees at Museum Village announced the hiring of Dr. Robert Schmick as director of museum operations and Michael Sosler is general manager for business operations. According to a press release from the trustees: “While Dr. Schmick and Mr. Sosler have separate responsibilities they are approaching our larger goals by building a strong collegial culture within and close ties to the larger community. They enjoy the full faith and support of the Board of Trustees for their efforts to make Museum Village a key member of the historical, educational and recreational venues of the lower Hudson Valley. Our mutual goal is to have our Museum seen as a must visit location for our children, our teachers, tourist visitors as well as members of our local community.” Here are brief profiles of the director and general manager, provided by the museum’s staff: Dr. Robert “Bob” Schmick Schmick is responsible for maintaining and improving the collection and programs of Museum Village, the administration of grants concerning the collection and programs, and fund raising required to complete matching grant requirements. In short, the Museum guy. His overriding objective is to ensure that guests to the museum are assured of a quality museum experience that exceeds their expectations, that the museum operates consistent with our mission and charter and that the collection is maintained, preserved, managed and exhibited to the fullest extent possible. Born in Warwick, Schmick identifies Museum Village as his first museum experience and one that planted the seed for a lifetime passion for the past and museums of all types. Prior to joining Museum Village, he was the Museum Director for The Curran Homestead - A Living History Farm and Museum located in Orrington, Maine. During his tenure at The Curran Homestead, Schmick oversaw the construction of several buildings, was integral in the development of a blacksmithing school and an oral history archive. Michael “Mike” Sosler Sosler is responsible for running the day-to-day operations of the business side of Museum Village. As with any enterprise, there is the unending need to raise ever growing revenue, marketing and evangelizing, scheduling, maintenance and in general, ensuring that visitors enjoy a valuable and compelling visit to Museum Village. He is our primary communications and contact person for the public, the business community and media. He is charged with communicating the museum’s significant place in and value to the community as Roscoe Smith originally envisioned. Sosler comes to us from NBC Universal, where he held several department head positions with large technical staff management responsibility. He and his team earned an Emmy at the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympics. He is a lifelong resident of Orange County where he and his wife currently reside in Monroe. In a prior life he was a band leader, still plays the guitar and base guitar and is a proud “HOG” (Harley Owners Group).