Montgomery County Board honors Casey Jenkins for museum leadership before new role

The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors convened on December 16, 2024, to address several key agenda items, including a significant proclamation honoring Casey Jenkins, the outgoing executive director of the Montgomery Museum of Art and History.

The meeting commenced with the board recognizing Jenkins for his contributions to the museum since his appointment in June 2021. The proclamation highlighted Jenkins' pivotal role in relocating the museum's operations to a new facility in Downtown Christiansburg and leading a successful fundraising campaign that raised $1.5 million for building enhancements. Under his leadership, the museum experienced a remarkable 250% increase in visitation and a 225% growth in its operating budget. Jenkins also received accolades, including the 2023 Innovation Award from the Virginia Association of Museums and the 2024 Community Preservation Award from Preservation Virginia.

The board expressed its gratitude for Jenkins' dedication and impact on the community, stating that his contributions would be greatly missed. Following the reading of the proclamation, the board unanimously voted to officially recognize Jenkins and wished him well in his new role as the executive director of the Virginia Association of Museums, effective January 13, 2025.

In the latter part of the meeting, the board shifted focus to a resolution concerning public censorship, which had been previously discussed during public comments. The chair indicated that further details would be provided following the reading of the resolution.

Overall, the meeting underscored the board's commitment to honoring community leaders and addressing pressing issues within Montgomery County. The next steps regarding the public censorship resolution will be determined in subsequent discussions.