(March 27, 2000) — The Metropolitan Museum of Art today named Michael Belkin to the post of Chief Technology Officer, effective April 24.
Mr. Belkin, who served from 1995 to 1996 as Manager of the Office Automation Division in the Museum's Systems Department, has since 1996 been director of information systems for the Metropolitan Opera Association, working to establish organization-wide technology strategies and managing all areas of information systems operation for the nation's leading opera company.
"We are proud and delighted to welcome Michael Belkin back to the Metropolitan," noted David E. McKinney, the Museum's President, in announcing his appointment. "His record of accomplishment here, together with his four years of successful systems management at the Opera, make him ideally suited to bring his expertise and experience back to the Museum. We believe he will help successfully lead us into the 21st-century world of technology — with all of its opportunities, and all of its challenges."
"I am very pleased to be returning to the Museum," commented Mr. Belkin. "This a great opportunity to creatively implement and manage state-of-the-art technology projects at an institution that in so many ways defines the phrase 'state of the art.' I look forward to working again with many people with whom I maintained close relationships over the years."
Michael Belkin received a B.S. in computer science from Hunter College in
1984, and an M.B.A. in Finance from Pace University in 1994. He enjoyed years of early
experience, beginning part-time while still a student, as a programmer-analyst for such firms as Equitable Life Assurance, Home Box Office, and CTG, and worked on consulting assignments for ITT and Chase Manhattan Bank, NA.
From 1989 to 1995, Mr. Belkin worked as manager of the office automation group, and then the client server group, at Chase. He became vice president in 1993.
At the Metropolitan Museum from 1995 to 1996, he helped establish company-wide network management practice, instituted desktop environment standards, and established and implemented "help desk" services for more than 1,200 users, among other accomplishments. In his four years at the Metropolitan Opera, he has managed all of the organization's technology initiatives, including its successful Year 2000 compliance program.
Mr. Belkin, his wife Alla, and their two children, Jessica and Samuel, reside in Forest Hills, New York.
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