The Foundation for the Reading Public Museum announces the appointment of Paul G. Oxholm as Interim Director and CEO effective immediately. Oxholm replaces longtime Museum Director & CEO, John G. Smith, whose resignation was effective April 17.
Oxholm is currently serving as Principal of Sharpoint Partners, Inc. in Wyomissing, PA. He has over 20 years of experience in varied corporate executive positions including serving as President and CEO of Unique Technologies. At Sharpoint Partners, Oxholm has provided Board and executive leadership at various privately held companies. These corporate leadership positions were preceded by 19 years in banking including serving as Senior Vice President of a predecessor institution to what is now Wells Fargo Bank.
Oxholm has a wealth of knowledge of the Berks County community not only from his business experience but also from his extensive non-profit volunteer service. He has been a board member of the Foundation for Reading Area Community College (RACC) for the past 26 years having served as Board Chair as well as chair of the Finance and Development Committees. He also serves as a Board member for the Reading Musical Foundation as well as a Trustee for the Wyomissing Foundation. Previous volunteer activities have included chairing the Annual Campaign for the United Way of Berks County and serving as Board member and Board Chair for Centro Hispano. Oxholm holds a BA in Economics and Art from Wesleyan University and an MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago.
The Foundation Board is certain that Oxholm’s extensive business and community non-profit experience will allow him to effectively lead and collaborate with the Museum’s highly experienced staff. Foundation Board Chair, Chuck Harenza believes that “Paul’s business knowledge, deep understanding of the community and extensive non-profit volunteer service make him the right person at the right time for the Foundation and The Museum.”
Members and visitors to The Museum will notice no change in their experience, as this transition takes place. Museum donors and volunteers will hear from The Museum management team as it moves forward with The Museum’s plans for 2022 and beyond. It is the intention of the Foundation to conduct a nationwide search for a permanent Director & CEO.
As Oxholm transitions into the role as Interim Director & CEO, he will be working with the Foundation Board and The Museum’s experienced staff to ensure programming at The Museum continues to evolve and educate by providing a world-class exhibition schedule such as the upcoming opening of REAL BODIES. REAL BODIES is a powerful exhibition that explores the entire human experience from first to last breath. REAL BODIES is sponsored by HIGHMARK and Penn State Health and opens May 21.
A dynamic center of lifelong learning and discovery that educates, enlightens, and engages current and future generations through the collection, preservation, and interpretation of objects of art, science, and civilization. The Museum is located at 500 Museum Road, Reading, PA 19611, and is typically open daily from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission to The Museum is: $10 adults (18-64), $6 children/seniors/students (w/ID) and free to Members, children three years old and under, and students from the Reading School District presenting a valid RSD ID card. Web: www.readingpublicmuseum.org
