ASTORIA, OR.- The Columbia River Maritime Museum announced today that Samuel E. Johnson Ph.D., of Seattle, WA, has accepted the position as the new Executive Director. Dr. Johnson succeeds Jerry Ostermiller who retired in 2008. Dr. Johnson will assume the leadership of the Museum in May.

Samuel E. Johnson received his Ph.D. from Stanford University. He has served as the Executive Director for the Oregon Field Office of the Nature Conservancy. Johnson has served as the Director of External Affairs at the Oregon Historical Society and was the Director of Planned Giving for the Oregon Health Sciences University Foundation. An internationally acclaimed lecturer, Johnson graduated from the Museum Management Program at Colonial Williamsburg.

In recent years Johnson has been building and restoring boats and teaching bronze foundry classes at the Center for Wooden Boats, the San Francisco National Maritime Museum, the RiversWest Small Craft Center in Portland, the WoodenBoat School in Brooklin, ME, Mystic Seaport Museum and the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, NY.

“I am deeply honored to have been chosen to lead the Columbia River Maritime Museum. I have long respected and admired the accomplishments of the Museum and look forward to continuing this great legacy,” said Samuel Johnson.

The Museum has also named David A. Pearson as Deputy Director. Pearson, Curator of the Museum, who has been with the Museum for 14 years, remains committed to building the Museum’s reputation for diverse and interactive exhibits and as an exceptional research facility which welcomes scholars and visitors from around the globe.

The selection of Dr. Johnson was a result of an intensive eight month search conducted by a seven person committee, headed by former Trustee Board Chairman Donald Magnusen. The committee reviewed approximately 50 applications, and conducted dozens of interviews of candidates from across North America.

“As we move forward into a new era for this great institution, I am pleased to announce the selection by the Board of Trustees of Dr. Johnson as the next Executive Director” said Tom Dulcich, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. “Sam has considerable knowledge of the Pacific Northwest, with a strong background in nautical and maritime subjects.”