The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum announced today that Gregory S. Harris, its vice president of development since 2008, will become president and chief executive officer. Harris, who holds a graduate degree in museum studies and whose industry background also includes curatorial, membership and sponsorship experience, was approved by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. board following a nationwide search.
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Harris, 47, succeeds long-time President and Chief Executive Officer Terry Stewart, who announced in May his intention to retire from the position by the end of next year. The transition will be effective January 1, 2013, according to a press release.
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Before joining the Rock Hall, Harris spent 14 years at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y., where he advanced from curating the Hall of Fame Library and Archives’ broadcast collection to serving as vice president of development. In the 1980s, he and a partner founded, owned and operated the Philadelphia Record Exchange, a retail store that specialized in selling rare, used and independent records.
“As a musician and historian I’m thrilled to see a friend, Greg Harris, named as President and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,” said drummer, DJ and producer Questlove of the Roots. “His store, the Philadelphia Record Exchange was my home away from home, and most of my 70,000 plus vinyl records came from there.”
“We were impressed by the outstanding caliber of every one of the candidates we interviewed,” said foundation chairman Jann Wenner. “Clearly, however, Greg had the best mix of experience, vision and passion for the art. We now look forward to seeing even greater things from him and the team at the Museum.”