Andy Masich is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Senator John Heinz History Center. The History Center is the largest history museum in Pennsylvania, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, and accredited by the American Association of Museums. Since 1998, he has provided leadership for the operation of the 275,000 square-foot History Center and its staff of 125 as well as the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, the Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Museum of Rural Life and the Meadowcroft Rockshelter archeological site, the oldest site of human habitation in North America, (near Avella, PA), and, most recently, the Fort Pitt Museum. Under Andy’s leadership, the History Center has become known nationally for its award-winning exhibitions and innovative educational programs. He has forged strategic partnerships with organizations as varied as the Smithsonian Institution, the Allegheny Conference for Community Development, Civic Light Opera, Neighbors in the Strip (NITS) and Boy Scouts of America, Pittsburgh’s 250th anniversary celebration (Pittsburgh 250), and Pennsylvania Civil War 150.

Andy serves on the American Association of Museums Accreditation Commission (which accredits the top museums in the U.S.) and is an active member of the American Association for State and Local History. His lively lectures on subjects ranging from the Civil War to American Indians have entertained and educated audiences from coast to coast. He makes regular television appearances on Pittsburgh’s WQED, winning Emmys for his historical documentaries. A recognized authority on the preservation and creative interpretation of history, he has been a faculty member of the prestigious Seminar for Historical Administration. Among his popular presentations are “Unknown Stories of the Civil War,” “History of Innovation,” “Young George Washington,” and “Lighten Up!” (humor therapy for museum directors and other humor impaired professionals). In 1997, he co-authored the award-winning Cheyenne Dog Soldiers: A Ledgerbook of Coups and Combat (University Press of Colorado), Halfbreed: The Remarkable True Story of George Bent—Caught Between the Worlds of the Indian and the White Man (Da Capo Press, 2004)—winner of the Colorado Book Award—and The Civil War in Arizona: The Story of the California Volunteers, 1861-1865 (University of Oklahoma Press, 2006—named Southwest Book of the Year). His most recent book (2007), Dan Rooney: My 75 Years with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL, a collaboration with Dan Rooney and Dr. David Halaas, is a New York Times bestseller.

Prior to joining the History Center, Andy served as Vice President and Acting President of the Colorado Historical Society in Denver. There, he managed the operation of regional museums and museum support centers as well as the Society’s headquarters museum in Denver. He also served as project director for the Vatican Treasures exhibition and The Real West, a precedent setting collaboration with the Denver Art Museum and Denver Public Library. Andy began his career with the Arizona Historical Society (1978-1990) serving as director of both the Yuma and Phoenix museums.

Andy has an M.A. (History/Museum administration) from the University of Arizona, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude.