C.J. Roberts, president and chief executive officer of the Tampa Bay History Center, will step down, after 20 years, to lead North Carolina’s statewide network of history museums.
Roberts will oversee eight museums, including the flagship North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh, which is undergoing renovations. His role will also involve managing other major capital projects.
During his tenure, Roberts guided the Tampa Bay History Center from concept to completion, opening its downtown Tampa location in 2009. Under his leadership, the center earned accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums and expanded to include multiple sites, such as the Chinsegut Hill Historic Site in Brooksville, and Tampa’s forthcoming Black History Museum.
“It has been an incredible privilege to lead the Tampa Bay History Center from a visionary concept to the vibrant institution it is today,” Roberts said, in a statement. “I am deeply grateful for the community’s unwavering support over the years.”
The center’s board of trustees will conduct a nationwide search for Roberts’ successor. Chris Alvarez, board chair, praised Roberts for his leadership and impact, saying he set a “high bar” for the next president.
Roberts begins his new role in the spring.