Orange County Museum of Art Gets New Big Boss

The Orange County Museum of Art announced today a new chief executive and director.

Todd DeShields Smith is expected to start his new job in August.

Smith was the executive director of the Tampa Museum of Art for the past six years. While there, he oversaw the construction of a new museum in 2010.

Smith was also previously executive director of the Gibbs Museum of Art in Charleston, South Carolina, and the Knoxville Museum of Art in Knoxville, Tennessee.

"Todd Smith has achieved distinction throughout his career by providing strong leadership and achieving successful strategic direction at world-class arts institutions," said Craig Wells, president of the Orange County Museum of Art. "His attributes will serve this institution well as we look forward to expanding our curatorial programs, broadening our audiences and moving our galleries to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts."

Smith said it was a "real honor" to lead the Orange County museum.

"My family and I look forward to calling Orange County home and being an active member of the arts community throughout Southern California," Smith said.

Former CEO and director Dennis Szakacs announced his resignation from OCMA in September, effective Dec. 31.

--City News Service