BATON ROUGE, LA.- Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne has appointed Baton Rouge native Mark Tullos to lead the Louisiana State Museum system. Tullos began his duties as assistant secretary of the Louisiana State Museum in late January. He has served as Director of the Hilliard University Art Museum at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette since 2005. Tullos has worked as a museum executive for more than 27 years. He has been the Director or Executive Director of museums in Waco, Texas; West Palm Beach, Fla.; Alexandria, La.; Ocean Springs, Miss. and Lufkin, Texas. He has also served the museum community as a member of the honors committee and a peer reviewer for the American Alliance of Museums, a panelist for the National Museum Service Board and a member of the state arts councils of Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Florida.

“I'm honored by this opportunity to serve the state I love,” Tullos said. “I’m looking forward to working with everyone involved in the State Museum system as we share our culture and Louisiana's story through the museums and collections.”

Under his leadership Hilliard Museum was recognized as an innovative university museum, sharing collections nationally and in 2011 was recognized by the Giacometti Foundation in Paris for protecting art and artist rights.

“Mark brings extensive experience in museum management and national accolades to the State Museum,” Lt. Governor Dardenne said. “His skill set, management style, energy, enthusiasm and personality will enable him to provide excellent leadership for our museum and to help develop a long term strategic plan for the system.

Tullos’ selection came after a lengthy search process established by the Lt. Governor which included a committee with representation from the Louisiana State Museum Board of Directors, the Louisiana Museum Foundation and the Friends of the Cabildo.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Robert Wheat had been serving as interim assistant secretary since 2012..

“During this transition Robert has upheld the integrity of the museum system as well as added value while overseeing new exhibitions and programs,” Lt. Governor Dardenne said. “We are grateful for Robert’s service and pleased that he will return to his position as deputy assistant secretary.”

The Louisiana State Museum system is a collection of 11 museum sites including The Cabildo and The Presbytere in Jackson Square, the Capitol Park Museum in Baton Rouge and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame which will open next summer in Natchitoches.