Jackson will focus on fundraising, partnerships, and programs that fulfill the organization’s expanded role as the Friends Group to Pullman National Monument
For immediate release
October 21, 2021
(Chicago) … The Historic Pullman Foundation (HPF) has hired Executive Director Julian Jackson who will lead strategic efforts to achieve the nonprofit organization’s mission to create opportunities for all people to experience and understand the continuing American story that is Pullman.
Executive Director Julian Jackson
Jackson will work with the Board, committees, and dedicated volunteers to fulfill the organization’s three primary roles:
- serving as the Friends Group to Pullman National Monument — Chicago’s only national park that officially opened its Visitor Center on Labor Day weekend 2021 — by raising funds to support the Monument’s priorities, manage volunteers, and support the adjacent Pullman State Historic Site;
- coordinating efforts among locally and nationally based park partners; and
- continuing to play the role HPF has served since its establishment in 1973 as an historic preservation, education, and cultural history organization.
Jackson has been leading the creation and management of compelling, effective destination experiences with partners as diverse as NASA, Saturday Night Live, and the Smithsonian for more than 20 years. Most recently he was Executive Director of the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago, where he executed a $5 million financial turnaround. Prior to that he served as Vice President at the Milwaukee Public Museum where he led an increase in visitorship of 34 percent.
As Historic Pullman Foundation prepares for its 50th anniversary in 2023, the Board is excited to bring Jackson aboard as HPF’s executive director.
“Julian is the right person to lead this organization at this pivotal moment when we are working closely with Pullman National Monument, Pullman State Historic Site, and many partners to make Pullman a Top 10 destination in Chicago,” said Joseph C. Szabo, president of the HPF Board. “He has the knowledge, skills, and experience to help Historic Pullman Foundation build on our nearly five decades of volunteer-led efforts to preserve and share Pullman’s history.”
Jackson has been serving as interim executive director since January 2021, and helped Historic Pullman Foundation support the successful launch of Pullman National Monument and Pullman State Historic Site in September 2021. He is eager to dig into longer-term objectives that will strengthen HPF and the Monument.
“Pullman has a special place in Chicago and American history, and I’m thrilled to take on the role of leading Historic Pullman Foundation at this exciting time,” said Jackson. “I’m eager to grow and strengthen our fundraising, programs, exhibits, and partnerships to create more opportunities for people to experience and understand the continuing American story that is Pullman.”
For more information about Historic Pullman Foundation, visit pullmanil.org. Reporters interested in arranging an interview with Julian Jackson may contact Mandy Burrell Booth at amandamburrell@gmail.com or Julian Jackson at julianloeksjackson@gmail.com. Photo available upon request.
