Athenaeum names Va. man executive director

MATT BURRIESCI will take over as executive director of the Providence Athenaeum Sept. 1, filling the spot vacated when longtime chief Alison Maxwell left at the end of 2014. / COURTESY PROVIDENCE ATHENAEUM
MATT BURRIESCI will take over as executive director of the Providence Athenaeum Sept. 1, filling the spot vacated when longtime chief Alison Maxwell left at the end of 2014. / COURTESY PROVIDENCE ATHENAEUM

(Updated, 4:28 p.m.)
PROVIDENCE – The Providence Athenaeum on Thursday named Matt Burriesci as executive director, filling a position covered on an interim basis since Alison Maxell left at the end of 2014.

Burriesci, who comes with extensive leadership experience and fundraising skills, according to Board of Directors President Candy Adriance, will replace Alayne Barnicoat on Sept. 1. Barnicoat took the interim position in April, following Mike Gerhardt, who served in an interim capacity starting in January. Maxell had held the post for 10 years before leaving the nonprofit library.

“The Search Committee sought an experienced executive to lead and inspire our talented staff; a dynamic ambassador to represent the library to external audiences; and a proven fundraiser capable of sustaining and expanding our institutional vision,” Adriance said in an emailed letter to supporters announcing the hiring. “With Matt, we have found this rare combination of strengths.”

Burriesci, an author of two books who currently lives in Alexandria, Va., was hired after a national search that began in April. He most recently served as director of advancement & strategic partnerships for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation. He helped raise funding for foundation’s annual $2.5 million budget entirely through corporate and foundation gifts, according to Adriance.

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He has also worked as executive director of the PEN/Faulkner Foundation and held the same position with the Association of Writers and Writing Programs.

“I’m humbled, honored and thrilled to be part of this enduring cultural treasure,” Burriesci said in the announcement of his hiring to library supporters. His salary was not disclosed.

Alison Maxell’s name was mispelled in a previous version of this story. And the current interim executive director of the Athenaeum was incorrectly identified: Mike Gerhardt was replaced in that position by Alayne Barnicoat in April.

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