Gerald Lee Morosco, AIA, the new chairman of the Board of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, has announced his goals for the organization, which is undergoing a regeneration and rededication to its mission, and is conducting a nationwide search for a new chief executive officer. Morosco was elected chairman on Nov. 9, and is the seventh and youngest chair since the Foundation's inception in 1940. He replaces Vernon D. Swaback, who served as chair since April 2004.
The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to conserving the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, advancing the principles of organic architecture, and educating the public about the famous architect's work and ideas. The organization is headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., at Wright's winter home and architectural studio, Taliesin West. Morosco, who pursued his architectural education as an apprentice at Taliesin from 1981 to 1986, where he lived and worked with many who knew and studied under Wright, including Wright's wife, Olgivanna, is the first chairman to live outside of Arizona.
"Over the term of my chairmanship, I will focus on four initiatives," Morosco said. "My first priority will be to lead the trustees in the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategic vision to extend the capacity of the Foundation to meet its 21st century challenges. Second, I will work to assure a continuum of the living, working presence at the two landmark Taliesin properties in Spring Green, Wisc. and Scottsdale, Ariz., and to prevent them from becoming static house museums. Third, I hope to achieve more diversity on the board of trustees, reflective of the geographic, ethnic, and generational breadth of interest and enthusiasm for Frank Lloyd Wright's work. Finally, I will establish the groundwork necessary for the major philanthropic campaign that will be required to implement our vision."
Neil Levine, Gleason professor of history of art and architecture at Harvard University and author of The Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright said, "The choice of Jerry Morosco as chair of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation board is wonderful and bodes well for the future of this truly important organization. Jerry is an energetic, enthusiastic, and charismatic person. What is even more important, he is passionate about the Foundation and the legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright. He comes to the position with great knowledge of all aspects of the Foundation and with the necessary experience to be able to give it the dynamic and forward-looking leadership it needs and deserves."
Lynda Waggoner, vice president of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and Director of Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd Wright's famous work, concurred, "I am delighted that Jerry has been named chairman of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation," she said. "I think he will bring not only a clear commitment to the mission of the foundation but a thoughtful and realistic vision for its future."
"Jerry Morosco's name is well-recognized in national preservation circles through his decades-long commitment to the works of Frank Lloyd Wright, as well as his successful work in the revitalization of downtown historic districts through the National Trust's Main Street program," said Stanley A. Lowe, vice president, department of community revitalization, National Trust for Historic Preservation. "We're pleased that someone with his dedication and sensibilities is assuming this critical post."
Morosco is the founder and president of Gerald Lee Morosco Architects, P.C., a preservation-based architectural firm in western Pennsylvania. He was named "Designer of the Year" in 1993 by Commercial Renovation magazine for the restoration of the United American Savings Bank in Pittsburgh. The following year, the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation recognized him with an Award of Merit for his "outstanding achievements in historic preservation and for increasing public knowledge of our heritage through restoration and rehabilitation of the East Carson Street National Register District." In part through Morosco's work, Main Street on East Carson Street received the prestigious National Main Street Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1996. In 1999 he became the youngest individual to be nominated for the Otto Haas Award, Pennsylvania's highest preservation honor.
Morosco has served as a trustee of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation since 2003. He is president of the Taliesin Fellows, the alumni association of the Taliesin Fellowship and the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture. He serves as a trustee on the Wisconsin not-for-profit Taliesin Preservation, Inc., and is a member of the technical services committee and national technical team of the Chicago-based Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy.
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EDITOR'S NOTE: A digital photo of Gerald Lee Morosco is available and interviews are available upon request. Contact Beverly Hart, bevhart@franklloydwright.org.
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Source: U.S.Newswire