Nationwide Medal of Honor Museum selects development administration agency

The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation (NMOHMF) made several key announcements as the year 2021 kicks off, including the addition of new board members and museum advisory board members, more key employees, and the selection of a construction management company to oversee the museum.

Texas-based Linbeck was chosen to manage the construction. The company previously built the Fort Worth Museum of Modern Art and the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House in Dallas, and completed renovations at Houston’s legendary Rothko Chapel.

Construction is expected to begin in October. The opening is planned for 2024.

The architect of the museum is Rafael Viñoly.

“The stories of our nation’s Medal of Honor recipients deserve a home, and we take seriously our responsibility to provide a place for all Americans to honor and learn from these brave heroes,” said James T. Connors, CEO of the museum.

Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams and Thasunda Brown Duckett, Chief Executive Officer of Chase Consumer Banking, are the newest members of the museum’s board of directors.

“Since North Texas was announced as home in 2019, the NMOHMF has consistently embodied the can-do spirit of the Arlington community. It is a privilege to have the future home of America’s Medal of Honor recipients, this incredible national museum here in North Texas. I am humble to join the Board of Directors on a permanent basis and to do my part to ensure that these inspiring stories are preserved for future generations, ”said Williams.

Duckett said she was a native Texas native and honored to join the board of directors.

“The medal and its values ​​speak to the best of our nation and embody service, self-sacrifice and above all courage. I can’t think of a better way to give back than by doing my part by supporting the NMOHMF’s mission and making sure all Americans can be inspired by these stories, ”she said.

The museum’s advisory board also welcomed the addition of two leading national media representatives: CNN’s Lead Washington Anchor Jake Tapper and James Rosen, correspondent for the Sinclair Broadcast Group Washington. Tapper is the author of The Outpost: An Untold Tale of American Valor, which chronicles one of the deadliest battles of the war in Afghanistan in which two Americans received the Medal of Honor. The bestselling book has been turned into a 2020 film starring Orlando Bloom and Scott Eastwood.

As an award-winning reporter and best-selling author for the New York Times, Rosen regularly reports on foreign policy and national security. In 2020, he told the story of the valor and heroism of Lt. Col. William Swenson, a Medalist of Honor.

You will join a distinguished group of over two dozen military leaders, service members, national thought leaders, and other public figures who will advise and assist the NMOHMF board of directors and senior executives as the museum continues to make headway in opening in 2024.

Courtesy Tyrone Gorden, Chief Development Officer

“It is a tremendous honor to oversee the construction of America’s next national treasure and our team is thrilled to play such a fundamental role in making this important building a reality. We hope it will inspire all Americans with a bold design that demonstrates the values ​​and patriotism behind the medal, ”said David Steukler, CEO of Linbeck.

In addition, three new leaders have been hired: Tyrone Gorden as Chief Development Officer, Greg Waters as Chief Curator and Edward Lengel, Ph.D. as chief historian.

Gorden previously served as Executive Campaign and Endowment Consultant at Alabama A&M University and Waters as Director and Senior Curator of the New Jersey Vietnam Era Museum, where he developed an exhibition of recipients of the state Vietnam Medal of Honor.

Lengel is a writer and military historian and was the Senior Director of Programs at the National WWII Museum. Your work will be critical to the museum’s success and help accomplish its mission of building a home for these heroes.

“The medal of honor is a symbol of heroism, bravery, courage, willingness to make sacrifices and patriotism. The heroes who received this incredible award embody these values, and I couldn’t be more proud to continue building a great team that works on our mission to inspire America, “said Charlotte Jones, Chairman of the Board.