President Trump Appoints Howard M. Lorber as Museum Chairman

May 10, 2017

PRESIDENT TRUMP APPOINTS HOWARD M. LORBER AS UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM CHAIRMAN

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- President Donald J. Trump appointed Howard M. Lorber as Chairman of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Lorber is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Vector Group and Chairman of Douglas Elliman.

“I am honored to be appointed Chairman of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and grateful to President Trump for entrusting me with this important responsibility,” said Lorber. “As the Holocaust recedes in time and the survivor generation begins to diminish, the Museum’s work is increasingly urgent. I look forward to helping the Museum bring the lessons of the Holocaust to future generations.”

“It’s been one of the great privileges of my life to serve the Museum for more than six years, first with Josh Bolten as vice chair and now with Allan Holt,” said outgoing Chairman Tom A. Bernstein. “Preserving the survivors’ legacy and ensuring the permanent relevance of the Holocaust is vitally important, and I look forward to working with Howard in this ambitious endeavor.”

Lorber has led a number of corporations and serves on the boards of many philanthropic organizations. In addition to his role with the Vector Group and Douglas Elliman, Lorber serves as Vice Chairman Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. and as Executive Chairman of Nathan’s Famous Inc. He serves on the board of the 92nd Street Y, as Chairman of Southampton Hospital Foundation, and Co-Chairman of the Silver Shield Foundation. He is a past member of the International Board of Governors of Hillel. He is a recipient of the American Jewish Committee National Human Relations Award, as well as the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County Man of the Year Award. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, a Master of Science degree in taxation, and an honorary doctorate from Long Island University, where he is also a trustee. 

“I thank Tom for his outstanding leadership, shepherding the Museum through many milestones including our highly successful $540 million campaign to secure the Museum’s future, the construction of the David and Fela Shapell Family Collections, Conservation and Research Center, our strategic plan to reach a global audience, and more,” said Museum Director Sara J. Bloomfield. “I am excited to begin working with Howard as we prepare for the Museum’s 25th anniversary and beyond.”

The Council consists of 55 presidential appointees in addition to 10 Congressional representatives and three ex-officio members from the Departments of State, Interior, and Education. Presidential appointees serve five-year terms.  

A living memorial to the Holocaust, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum inspires citizens and leaders worldwide to confront hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity. Its far-reaching educational programs and global impact are made possible by generous donors. For more information, visit ushmm.org.

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