John McGarry << MEL & ME << HOME

John McGarry

John arrived in Key West in 1987 to take over as Executive Director. Following in the footsteps of former Director, Sandy McKinney, John was responsible for overseeing the transition of the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society following the donation from the Jamestown Group. John with the assistance of attorney Debra Ashford and Rose Chibarro led the Society through their review by the IRS to receive a not for profit 501 c3 determination. At that time the Society was providing laboratory facilities and other services for both Treasure Salvors and Jamestown. John’s proudest accomplishment of the period was to remodel the Museum. When first built the walls and structures were made from cardboard and duct tape. Closing the Museum for a brief 72 hours, the first floor was gutted, rewired, dry walled and painted. New exhibits were installed and the Museum reopened only two hours later then scheduled. In 1990 the Society was on a firm legal and financial footing. John and his wife Susan decided to return to Michigan to be closer to family. John may be contacted at John@muskegonmuseum.org. To see what he is up to now visit www.muskegonmuseum.org

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