The Board of Trustees of the Michigan Maritime Museum, a premier destination for preserving and celebrating Great Lakes maritime heritage, proudly announces a milestone transition in its executive leadership.
Celebrating over 50 years of sharing the maritime history of the Great Lakes, the Michigan Maritime Museum provides exceptional exhibits, educational programs, and on-water experiences that inspire curiosity and connection.
In the fall of 2024, current Executive Director Patti Montgomery Reinert announced her plans to step down on September 30, 2025, following sixteen years of dedicated service. The full announcement on Montgomery Reinert’s retirement is available to read here.
From late 2024 to early 2025, a Search Committee composed of eight current and former Board Members and Montgomery Reinert led a national search to identify her successor. The Board of Trustees is pleased to share that Bailey Sisoy-Moore has been appointed to serve as the Michigan Maritime Museum’s next Executive Director. Sisoy-Moore will begin on June 10, 2025. This timing will provide a period of overlap between the outgoing and incoming executives to ensure a seamless transition toward the organization’s next chapter of growth and impact.
Sisoy-Moore offered, "I am thrilled to join the South Haven community and the Michigan Maritime Museum. The Museum’s mission to preserve and celebrate our maritime heritage resonates deeply with my own passion for history, education, and community engagement. I am honored to be part of the team stewarding this extraordinary institution into its next chapter."
Board President Joe Dykhuis shared, “As we celebrate Bailey joining the Michigan Maritime Museum, I want to thank the Board, the Search Committee, and Patti. The Board committed the
time and resources to ensure we would find a leader capable of activating our bold strategic plan to greatly amplify the impact of Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven, West Michigan, and beyond. The Search Committee created a process that was well designed, and rigorously executed. Patti’s humble and thoughtful approach afforded us the time to be strategic as we searched for her successor, and the summer of overlap between Patti and Bailey will ensure an efficient and effective transition. Bailey already feels like she is part of the Michigan Maritime Museum family. I’m so excited for everyone to get to meet her.”
As a lifelong Michigander, Sisoy-Moore brings with her a
passion for maritime history and a track record of creating
dynamic, inclusive programming that connects diverse
audiences to heritage and culture. A recognized leader in
public history and cultural tourism, she is known for forging
strong partnerships, expanding access, and building
community-centered initiatives.
Current Executive Director Montgomery Reinert stated, “I
believe the next generation of leadership is in very capable
hands and I am very excited to see what the future holds
for the Michigan Maritime Museum with Bailey at the helm!
After putting my heart and soul into growing this
organization for 16 years, I could not be more proud of our
team and the accomplishments we have achieved. I am confident that we have selected the right person to take this Museum to the next level and that makes retirement that much better!”
This leadership transition comes as the Museum recently completed a strategic plan and a major capital expansion. The momentum of this next phase makes it an especially exciting time for both new and longtime supporters to engage with the Museum’s mission.
Sisoy-Moore reflected, "The Michigan Maritime Museum’s recent growth reflects an extraordinary foundation built by a talented team. It is a true privilege to join the Museum at such a pivotal time. I am excited to bring my passion for public history, my commitment to accessibility and education, and my enthusiasm for Great Lakes culture to South Haven. I look forward to building strong partnerships, celebrating our shared history, and charting a vibrant future together."
The Museum looks forward to welcoming Bailey Sisoy-Moore to the South Haven community. Opportunities for members, donors, and community members to meet the new Executive Director will be arranged beginning in June and will continue throughout the summer.
Michigan Maritime Museum will kick off its summer season on May 23, 2025 with its annual Blessing of the Fleet followed by a Fish Fry celebration. Tickets are available for purchase here.
Exhibits and on-water experiences will be available throughout the summer. Additional programs highlights include:
- The 4th Annual Antique & Classic Boat Show on June 14.
- Women of the Watch on June 20 - A new play about the female lighthouse keepers, written and performed by Kamryn Marck and directed by D.B. Schroeder. - Science Expedition Cruises and Dockside tours from June 26-28 - A partnership with the Annis Water Resources Institute (AWRI) to bring you opportunities with the research vessel W.G. Jackson.
- The 23rd Annual Fish Boil Fundraiser on July 12.
- The Sweetwater Film Showcase July 24-25 - A series of short and full-length documentaries about Great Lakes topics that highlight the connections, contributions, and stories of Great Lakes maritime history and heritage.
- The Annual STEAM Camp in August - A day camp for students in grades 3-5 focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math.
- The 4th Annual Rock the Boat Concert on August 22 - An evening of fun, food, music, and dancing on the Museum’s waterfront campus to benefit the Museum.
New events will be added to the Museum’s Event Calendar as they are announced. Sign up for the Museum’s newsletter here.
The national search was led by Syrah Gunning, Senior Consultant, Executive Search and Development of the DeVos Institute of Arts and Nonprofit Management, a leading provider of arts management services, training, and thought leadership for arts, cultural, and educational sectors worldwide.
For more information about the Michigan Maritime Museum, visit
https://www.michiganmaritimemuseum.org.
To schedule interviews or request additional information, please contact: patti@mimaritime.org or 269-637-8078.
