Guggenheim’s chairman resigns

Cleveland philanthropist Peter Lewis has resigned as chairman of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, saying he disagrees with the institution’s focus on international expansion.

The museum’s president, William Mack, has been named acting chairman, museum spokesman Anthony Calnek said Thursday.

Lewis, chairman of the Progressive Corp. car insurance company in Cleveland, resigned Wednesday. He became a museum trustee in 1993 and is its top benefactor, having given $77 million over the years.

Lewis had previously challenged Guggenheim director Thomas Krens for overspending in his quest to build Guggenheim branches around the world. Krens was not available to comment.