�-w� taA.

J Smithsonian Institution

Chancellor 

The Chief Justic<' of 

the United States 

Chair 

David M. Ruhrnstrin 

Mc1r)'la11d 

Vice Chair 

Stew Case 

Virgi11ia 

Members 

The Vice Pn·s1d.-nt of 

the United States 

The Honorablr 

John Boozman 

:\rk,ms,i, 

The Honorable 

Patrick J. L<·ahy 

\'anwnt 

The Honorable 

David Perdue 

Georgi11 

The Honorable 

Doris Matsui 

California 

The Honorable 

Lu,ille Roybal-Allard 

California 

The Honorable 

John Shimkus 

lllin<li5 

Barbara M. Barrett 

Arizona 

John Fahey 

District ofCo/11111/,i,1 

Roger W. Ferguson, Jr. 

District of Columbia 

�lichael Gm·an 

Califomit1 

Ri�J Lavizzo·�1ourey 

Pm11syl,·a11ia 

Michael M. l.ynton 

1\'ew }'ork 

John W. McCarter, Jr. 

Illinois 

The Board of Regents 

May 28, 2019 

Mr. Lonnie G. Bunch, III 

Dear Mr. Bunch: 

On behalf of the Board of Regents, I am extremely pleased by your election as the Fourteenth 

Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. We value your dedication to the Smithsonian, your 

demonstrated leadership, your broad background and experience. and your appreciation of the 

unique nature of, and opportunities for. the Institution. At this point I would like to outline the 

basic terms of your compensation and benefits as well as some of our mutual understandings and 

expectations for this relationship. 

You will serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Smithsonian with such authority and duties as 

set forth in the Charter and Bylaws, and as established by the Board of Regents and the Executive 

Committee. You will put into effect the policies and programs approved by the Board of Regents 

and those provided in applicable law and regulation. You will have responsibility and authority for 

appropriate and sound management of the administrative, fiscal and personnel aspects of the 

Smithsonian within the established parameters of applicable Federal laws and Smithsonian 

policies. 

The overarching goals and responsibilities of the Secretary will be to build upon and lead the 

implementation of the strategic plan; to advance the intellectual mission of the Smithsonian 

through a compelling vision for its programs; to promote the public's engagement in its activities 

and operations; to secure the necessary support from the Smithsonian's many key stakeholders, 

including the Congress, the Smithsonian staff, and the public; to extend the reach of the 

Smithsonian to reflect the diversity of America; to ensure intellectual vibrancy and vigor in its 

pursuits; and to build on the meaningful and constructive partnership with the Board of Regents. 

The Board is confident that you appreciate the importance of securing the resources to achieve 

these crucial goals and the necessity of funding from the private sector. Consequently. as 

Secretary you will help identify and cultivate donors, grantors and government partners to 

augment our traditional Federal support. 

With regard to compensation, your base salary will be paid bi-weekly in accordance with 

the Smithsonian's normal payroll practices and your benefits reflect those earned by all senior 

Trust executives. You will be permitted to take a reasonable amount of leave each year. With the 

transition to a different leave approach. you will receive a lump sum annual leave payout based on 

the number of annual leave hours you have accumulated as of your last day in the leave system 

(June 15, 2019), paid at the hourly rate you have as of that date. As of your appointment date as 

Secretary, you will no longer earn nor use annual or sick leave.