Press Release

April 14, 2008
Contact: Robert Hicks (512) 936-4600, robert.hicks@thestoryoftexas.com

NEW DIRECTOR NAMED TO LEAD THE BOB BULLOCK TEXAS STATE HISTORY MUSEUM

Austin, TX -- The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum is pleased to announce that Nashid Madyun has accepted the position as Museum Director.

Mr. Madyun comes to the Museum from the Gibson Retail Group in Memphis, Tennessee, a division of Gibson Musical Instruments, where he was the President/General Manager overseeing retail operations, restaurants, instrument stores, and the coordination of building two museums. Previously, he served as the Executive Director of the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, also in Memphis. Before joining the Stax Museum, he served as a curator/historian with the Department of Arkansas Heritage's Delta Cultural Center.

Gaye Polan, executive director of the State Preservation Board, said, "I am very excited about the experience Nashid brings to the Museum. He has the vision required to ensure that the Story of Texas will continue to be told."

Mr. Madyun is on the board of the Blues Foundation and previously served on the Board of the Cotton Museum in Memphis; the Tennessee Protection and Advocacy, Inc.; Memphis Heritage; the People First Development Corporation; Lifting As We Climb, Inc.; served as Vice Chairman of the Arkansas Black History Advisory Commission (appointed by former Governor Mike Huckabee); and was editor of the Phillips County (Arkansas) Historical Quarterly.

The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in downtown Austin, Texas, tells the “Story of Texas” with three floors of interactive exhibits, the special effects show, The Star of Destiny, in the Texas Spirit Theater, and Austin's only IMAX® Theatre, featuring the signature large-format film, Texas: The Big Picture. The Museum is a division of the State Preservation Board, caretakers of the Capitol.

Mr. Madyun is replacing Lynn Denton, who left the Museum to head the Public History graduate program at Texas State University.

# # #