____________________________

1 Participated in the morning program only

2 Participated in the lunch program only

3 Participated in the afternoon session only

MINUTES OF THE APRIL 8, 2019, MEETING

OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS

ATTENDANCE

This scheduled meeting of the Board of Regents (“Board”) of the Smithsonian Institution (“Smithsonian”) 

was held on Monday, April 8, 2019. The Board conducted a strategic review of Smithsonian facilities, 

which included interactive tours, a special morning session focused on the Smithsonian’s physical plant, 

and an afternoon business meeting in the Commons and the Regents’ Room of the Smithsonian Castle in 

Washington, D.C. Regents present were:

The Chief Justice3

Senator John Boozman

Senator Patrick J. Leahy

Representative Doris Matsui

Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard

Representative John Shimkus

Ambassador Barbara M. Barrett

Steve Case, Vice Chair

John Fahey

Risa J. Lavizzo-Mourey

Michael Lynton

John W. McCarter, Jr.

David M. Rubenstein, Chair

Robert MacDonald, Smithsonian National Board Chair

Christine Udvar-Hazy, Advancement Committee Chair

The Vice President; Senator David Perdue; Roger W. Ferguson, Jr.; and Michael Govan were unable to 

attend the meeting. 

Smithsonian and Regent staff present by invitation of the Board were: 

David J. Skorton, Secretary

Helen Bechtel,

2

Special Projects Curator, Arts 

and Industries Building

Greg Bettwy, Chief of Staff to the Secretary

Ian Brunswick,2Futures Curator, Arts and 

Industries Building

Victor Castillo, Office of Representative RoybalAllard

Melissa Chiu,1 Director, Hirshhorn Museum and 

Sculpture Garden

John Davis, Provost/Under Secretary for

Museums, Education, and Research

Kate Forester, Deputy Chief of Staff to the

Regents

Rachel Goslins,1,2 Director, Arts and Industries 

Building

Mallory Gianola, Special Assistant to the

Regents (recorder)

Lauren Hancock, Office of Senator Perdue

Cathy Helm, Inspector General

Toni-Marie Higgins, Office of Senator Boozman

Kirk Johnson,2Sant Director, National Museum 

of Natural History

Judith Leonard, General Counsel

Julissa Marenco, Assistant Secretary for

Communications and External Affairs

Era Marshall, Director, Office of Equal

Employment and Minority Affairs

Mike McCarthy, Acting Chief Operating 

Officer/Under Secretary for Finance & 

Administration

Kevin McDonald, Senior Adviser to Senator

Leahy
2

Jeffrey P. Minear, Counselor to the Chief Justice

Sharon Park,1 Associate Director of 

Architectural History and Historic 

Preservation

Craig Roberts, Office of Representative Shimkus

Robert J. Spiller, Assistant Secretary for

Advancement

Abraham Thomas,2 Senior Curator, Arts and 

Industries Building

Kyle Victor, Office of Representative Matsui
3

MORNING SESSION

Welcome and 

Introduction of 

Smithsonian Facilities 

Review

Arts and Industries 

Building Revitalization

Smithsonian Institution 

Building

Smithsonian Facilities 

Review

SMITHSONIAN FACILITIES REVIEW

The morning program began with a preview of proposed renovations for the 

Hirshhorn Museum’s Sculpture Garden and Plaza, which will be the garden’s 

first major modification since 1981. Regents, directors, and Smithsonian 

leadership then participated in an interactive tour and historic overview of the 

Arts and Industries Building (“AIB”) and the Smithsonian Institution Building 

(“The Castle”). The program focused on addressing some of the complex 

decisions, challenges, and future possibilities for the Smithsonian’s physical 

plant as the Institution moves into its next phase of leadership.

ARTS AND INDUSTRIES BUILDING

Director of the Arts and Industries Building Rachel Goslins delivered a talk on 

the current status and future use of the Smithsonian’s second oldest building 

on the National Mall. Ms. Goslins shared initial plans for a temporary, largescale exhibition scheduled for early 2021 titled Smithsonian 2021: The Futures, 

which will be part of the celebrations of the 175th anniversary of the 

Smithsonian. The Regents were also briefed on the major components 

necessary to re-open AIB to the public for exhibition and programmatic space 

including building systems, utilities, historic preservation, and security. 

Following the presentation, Ms. Goslins entertained questions from the Board.

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION BUILDING

Provost/Under Secretary for Museums, Education, and Research John Davis; 

Assistant Secretary for Communications and External Affairs Julissa Marenco; 

and Acting Under Secretary for Finance and Administration/COO Mike 

McCarthy participated in a panel discussion on the Smithsonian Institution 

Building. Conversations focused on the potential long-term programming, 

visitor engagement, and facilities plans for The Castle, the Smithsonian’s 

signature building. Following the discussion, the panelists entertained 

questions from the Board. 

SMITHSONIAN FACILITIES REVIEW

To conclude the morning programming, Mr. McCarthy provided an overview of 

Smithsonian facilities, including the Smithsonian’s space portfolio, facilities 

capital and maintenance requirements and appropriations, and the projected 

ten-year capital plan to address major revitalization projects through 2030. A 

question and answer session followed the presentation. 
4

Luncheon Program: 

Exhibitions from 

Conception to Opening

Call to Order of the 

Afternoon Business 

Session

Recognition of Secretary 

Skorton

New Regent Search

2019 Committee 

Assignments for Newly 

Appointed Regents

LUNCHEON PROGRAM: EXHIBITIONS FROM CONCEPTION TO OPENING

Regents and Smithsonian staff convened in the Arts and Industries Building for 

a luncheon program about developing and presenting world-class exhibitions 

from conception to opening, focusing on the David H. Koch Hall of Fossils -

Deep Time and Smithsonian Pavilion 2021: The Futures. The program featured a 

conversation between Board Chair David M. Rubenstein, Sant Director of the 

National Museum of Natural History Kirk Johnson, AIB Senior Curator Abraham 

Thomas, and AIB Special Projects Curator Helen Bechtel.

AFTERNOON SESSION

REGENTS’ BUSINESS SESSION

The Chancellor called the afternoon session to order at 1:30 p.m.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: RECOGNITION OF DEPARTING SECRETARY

The meeting of the Board of Regents began with an executive session. Board 

and Executive Committee Chair David Rubenstein led the Board’s discussion on 

recognition for departing Secretary David Skorton for his service to the 

Smithsonian. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted to award 

Secretary Skorton the Joseph Henry Medal (“Henry Medal”) for his 

distinguished service, achievements, and contributions to the prestige and 

growth of the Smithsonian Institution.

See attached Actions 2019.04.01 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

EXECUTIVE SESSION: NEW REGENT SEARCH

Governance and Nominating Committee Chair Ambassador Barbara M. Barrett 

updated the Board on the selection process for a new Citizen Regent to replace 

John McCarter when his term expires in March 2020. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION: 2019 COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS FOR NEWLY 

APPOINTED REGENTS

Ambassador Barrett presented one action item for the Board’s consideration: 

the 2019 Regent committee chairmanships and memberships for newly 

appointed Congressional Regents, Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard and 

Representative John Shimkus. By tradition, Citizen Regents typically serve on 

three Regent committees and chair at least one committee, and Congressional 

Regents are assigned to two committees. Ambassador Barrett noted that 

Representative Roybal-Allard and Representative Shimkus would serve in their 
5

Search Process for 14th

Secretary of the 

Smithsonian

Search process for Chief 

Operating Officer

2019 Compensation 

Recommendation for 

Senior Executive

Smithsonian Channel 

Update

roles until January 2020. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board 

voted to approve the proposed committee assignments, and recommended 

that the Chancellor make the necessary appointments.

See attached Actions 2019.04.02 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

EXECUTIVE SESSION: SEARCH PROCESS FOR 14TH SECRETARY OF THE 

SMITHSONIAN

Secretary Search Committee Co-Chairs David M. Rubenstein and Steve Case 

updated the Board on the status of the search to identify and recruit the 14th 

Secretary of the Smithsonian. Following a competitive process, executive 

search firm Heidrick & Struggles was retained to assist with identifying 

candidates to serve as the next Secretary of the Smithsonian.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: SEARCH PROCESS FOR CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

The Board continued the executive session, and invited the Secretary to update

the Board on the search process for the Smithsonian’s next Chief Operating 

Officer, following the departure of Al Horvath on January 30, 2019.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: 2019 COMPENSATION RECOMMENDATION FOR 

SENIOR EXECUTIVE

Compensation and Human Resources Committee Chair John Fahey led the 

Board’s discussion of a senior executive compensation decision. The Board 

reviewed the proposed 2019 compensation. Upon motion duly made and 

seconded, the Board voted to approve the Compensation and Human 

Resources Committee’s compensation recommendation.

See attached Actions 2019.04.03 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

EXECUTIVE SESSION: SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL UPDATE

Acting Under Secretary for Finance and Administration/Chief Operating Officer 

Mike McCarthy joined the Board’s executive session to provide an update on 

the current status of the Smithsonian Channel.

The executive session adjourned at approximately 2:12 p.m.
6

Report of the 

Chair of the Board

Adoption of the 

Consent Agenda

Strategic Plan: Goal 

Seven

Smithsonian Institution 

Fundraising

World Economic Forum

REPORT OF THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD AND 

APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA

Smithsonian and Regent staff entered the room and the open session 

convened. Chair of the Board David M. Rubenstein recognized newly 

appointed Congressional Regent, Representative John Shimkus of Illinois, and 

welcomed him to his first Board of Regents meeting. Mr. Rubenstein also 

shared details of an upcoming event that he will host for the directors of the 

Smithsonian, in recognition of their work on behalf of the Institution. 

The Consent Agenda (“Agenda”) was presented for the Board’s approval. 

Action items listed on the April 8, 2019, Agenda included: the approval of

minutes from the January 28, 2019, Board meeting; the appointment and 

reappointment of candidates to six Smithsonian Advisory Boards; and gifts and 

naming recognition. Mr. Rubenstein noted that the Smithsonian National 

Board voted to recommend the appointment of David Skorton as an honorary 

member, in recognition and appreciation of his service as the 13th Secretary of 

the Smithsonian.

Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted to adopt the Agenda, 

constituting the approval of all action items listed therein. 

See attached Actions 2019.04.04 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

SMITHSONIAN 2022 STRATEGIC PLAN: GOAL SEVEN UPDATE

Acting Under Secretary for Finance and Administration/COO Mike McCarthy

updated the Board on the current progress of goal seven of the Strategic Plan, 

which aims to provide a nimble, cost-effective, and responsive administrative 

infrastructure. Mr. McCarthy outlined administrative efficiencies for 

implementation including hiring process improvements and automated 

workflows. 

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY

Secretary Skorton updated the Board on the state of the Smithsonian.

The Secretary reported on the Smithsonian’s fundraising progress in fiscal year 

2019. With six months remaining in fiscal year 2019, the Secretary noted that 

the Institution is projected to exceed the annual goal of $220 million.

Next, the Secretary provided a summary of Smithsonian-led events and 

outcomes from the World Economic Forum (“WEF”), which took place in 

January 2019. Since 2017, the WEF has invited the Smithsonian to the Annual

Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, as a featured arts and culture partner with co-
7

Smithsonian 

Consolidated Space

American Women’s 

History Initiative

“Gatekeeper” Reports

branded exhibition space and speaking opportunities. The Secretary shared 

the Smithsonian’s preliminary focus for involvement in the 2020 meeting, 

which will highlight the Institution’s global engagement in scientific research.

The Secretary also mentioned the Smithsonian’s leased space, which is part of 

the Institution’s space portfolio and maintained by Smithsonian Facilities. He 

noted that proposed recommendations for consolidated space would be 

considered by appropriate committee and the Board.

To close, the Secretary asked Provost/Under Secretary for Museums, 

Education, and Research John Davis to update the Regents on the American 

Women’s History Initiative (“AWHI”). Dr. Davis shared that on March 28, the 

Smithsonian hosted its first public event in conjunction with AWHI to celebrate 

the opening of a major exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery on the history 

of women’s suffrage—Votes for Women: A Portrait of Persistence. The 

exhibition documents the more than 80-year struggle for suffrage through 

portraits of women who represent different races, ages, abilities, and fields of 

endeavor. Dr. Davis also reported that on April 5, the Smithsonian hosted a

Wikipedia Edit-a-thon “AWHI Votes for Women,” the first in a series planned in 

conjunction with the Initiative. Dr. Davis concluded his update by sharing 

details on the women’s history internship and cohort experience for 

undergraduate, graduate students, and recent graduates, which will run June 

16 through August 10, 2019, in Washington, D.C.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: “GATEKEEPER” REPORTS

The Board then conducted an additional executive session with the 

Smithsonian’s Gatekeepers, including the Secretary, General Counsel, Inspector 

General, and Acting Chief Operating Officer.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at

approximately 3:25 p.m., after which Mr. Rubenstein and the Secretary moved 

to a separate room in The Castle to address questions from the media. 

Respectfully submitted,

David J. Skorton

Secretary
APPENDIX A: ACTIONS OF THE

APRIL 8, 2019, MEETING OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS

VOTED that the Board of Regents presents to Dr. David J. Skorton the Joseph Henry Medal in 

recognition of his manifold contributions as the 13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. 

[2019.04.01]

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the 2019 proposed committee member 

assignments for Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard and Representative John Shimkus, and 

requests that the Chancellor make the necessary appointments. [2019.04.02]

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the Compensation and Human Resources 

Committee’s 2019 compensation recommendation for a senior executive position. 

[2019.04.03]

VOTED that the Board of Regents adopts the Consent Agenda, which constitutes the approval 

of all action items listed therein. [2019.04.04]

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the minutes of the January 28, 2019, 

meeting of the Board of Regents.

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the proposed slate of candidates for 

appointment or reappointment to six (6) Smithsonian advisory boards.

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity of the Hillside Foundation, 

Inc. to the National Air and Space Museum and accepts the gift and names the Allan and 

Shelley Holt Innovations Gallery for 13 years from the date the gallery opens to the 

public.

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity of John and Adrienne Mars 

to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute and names 

Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute director position the John 

and Adrienne Mars Director, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology 

Institute.

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity of Target Enterprise, Inc. 

and accepts the terms of the sponsorship agreement. 

VOTED that the Board of Regents creates a quasi-endowment for the benefit of 

Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute to support animal care 

and authorizes the transfer of the funds identified for this purpose.