St. Joseph Musuems` Director Alberto Meloni Calls it Quits

His announcement today comes after five years of leading the museums. Meloni says the time has come for the museums to take on new leadership. With 25 years experience and a degree from Harvard University, Meloni wears many hats at the museum, but primarily his job is to lead the organization in decision-making. Now his decision to resign comes at a time when the museums could be headed in a new direction. "It`s good for an institution to reinvigorate itself with new ideas, new blood, new efforts," Meloni says. But before looking forward, he looks back. Meloni says his biggest accomplishment was growing a board of directors. "I have to live with what the board did, because in the end, as you can see from legal matters, in the final decision, it`s the board that has to answer," Meloni says. Despite a pending lawsuit between the museums` board and its membership, Meloni says he`s not abandoing ship but allowing for new leadership. "You create relationships that cause you to no longer be able to give that guidance," Meloni says. Throughout his tenure, Meloni`s guidance has at times come under scrutiny, such as the decision to sell Twin Spires and the Church of Christ Scientist. "The people could no longer handle either building," Meloni says. Meloni says another building swap, this one moving the St. JosephMmuseums` headquarters from the Wyeth-Tootle Mansion to the Glore Psychiatric shows that his board isn`t afraid to take great risks. Meloni: Had the board not decided to come here, the Glore would have been lost," Meloni says. Two other accomplishments Meloni will add to his resume are saving the Black Archives and establishing the Native American Galleries. Meloni says he expects a bright future for the museums. As for his own future, he`s not sure where the road will lead him. "You make one decision at a time, then that kind of frees you a little more to look around and to talk to others more seriously," Meloni says. Meloni will not disclose where he might end up next.. Museums` Board President Jim Lehr tells KQ2 that the board`s search for a new director will begin immediately. Meloni`s last day is July 3.