Art Museum Undergoes Staff Changes

Newport Harbor Art Museum has named Kimberly Ann Chafin assistant director of finance and chief financial officer, the No. 2 administrative post behind museum director Michael Botwinick.

Chafin’s appointment, effective Sept. 22, was one of several upper and mid-level staff changes announced Friday. Two top staff members left after only one year at Newport Harbor.

Chafin succeeds Ed Prohaska. Hired in July, 1993, Prohaska accepted a job during the summer with the Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena. Chafin, a CPA, was formerly with Lance, Soll & Lunghard in Whittier, where she supervised independent audits of cities, nonprofit organizations and corporations.

Another key post not yet filled is that of director of advancement. Louise Cummings left the position to become director of development at the AIDS Services Foundation of Orange County next month. Cummings joined the museum last September, replacing former director of development Margie M. Shackelford.

Other staff who have been reassigned include Maxine Gaiber, director of marketing and public relations. On Oct. 1, Gaiber will assume new duties as director of education and publications. A portion of her current job will be taken over by Hillary Streichenberger, assistant to the director, who has been promoted to public relations/special events coordinator.

Among other positions filled was that of longtime registrar Betsy Severance. Mary Artino, formerly director of collection management services at the Ruth Bloom Gallery in Santa Monica, was appointed exhibition coordinator/registrar.