Pawtucket, RI: Susan A. Whitney will join Slater Mill as executive director beginning February 1, 2010. Whitney comes to Slater Mill from an extensive career in the nonprofit and banking fields, most recently at Citizens Bank, where she administered and directed a sizeable portfolio of not-for-profit organizations and private foundations, and before that as dean of resource development at Bristol Community College, and several other nonprofits, including the Old Dartmouth Historical Society, where she worked in finance and nvestment,

personnel administration and facilities management.

“I am very excited about serving as the executive director of Slater Mill and look forward to enhancing the Mill’s services and role in the community,” said Whitney. “The organization has a strong infrastructure, relevant and dynamic programming and great vision. I am confident that I can bring new resources and leadership to the post.”

Search committee chairman Irving Sheldon said, “Susan brings development expertise that will help the Mill in raising its profile as the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution, a site with national significance and rele-vance that will be attractive to increased private philanthropy and corporate giving. The board looks forward to working with her as it has with outgoing director Janice Kissinger, who, having made great strides in developing the Mill’s program and bringing $1 million to the Mill in grants and individual gifts, takes on the directorship of the Mill’s Community Guild Studios, a textile and fine craft center which she founded at Slater Mill.”

Slater Mill president Allen Chatterton said, “We are thrilled that Susan will be joining our team. Her financial background combined with her nonprofit experience will be a great help as we move into the new decade. Susan will be picking up the reins as the Mill moves forward with several major initiatives such as restoring our historic waterway, rehabilitating turbines to return hydropower to the site and updating our exhibitry.”

Susan is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, graduating magna cum laude; a Master of Business Administration, and a post-graduate program in professional writing. Susan’s community involvement includes serving on the board of the Beneficent House in Providence, past president of the UMASS Dartmouth Alumni Association and the personnel and finance committee for the town of Rochester, MA where she resides with her husband David.

A National Historic Landmark built in 1793, Slater Mill preserves, interprets and researches the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution and its collections for the benefit of all. The Mill develops an informed understanding of American heritage in innovative economic, industrial, cultural, artistic and social terms. Founded in 1921, Slater Mill provides high quality, relevant experiences designed to educate, entertain and inspire. Located on the banks of the Blackstone River, Slater Mill has grown to include three historic buildings, a gallery, theatre, two gift shops and a significant collection of artifacts and documents and encompasses 5.5 acres.

For more information, www.slatermill.org.