IAAM adds Crosby, Tecco to board

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The International African American Museum board of directors has elected Grady Crosby and Halle Tecco as new members.

Crosby is vice president of public affairs and chief diversity officer for Johnson Controls and president of the Johnson Controls Foundation. He was first introduced to museum president and CEO Michael Boulware Moore over two years ago, when Moore and former Charleston Mayor Joe Riley, also a museum board member, approached Johnson Controls about a potential investment.

Crosby “immediately internalized the value and necessity of this institution and has demonstrated a passionate enthusiasm for and support of the IAAM,” Moore said in a statement. “He brings business acumen that I am confident will serve the museum well as we prepare to begin construction and enter our next chapter.”

Johnson Controls donated $1 million to the museum at the end of March.

Tecco is the founder emeritus of health care investment firm Rock Health and an adjunct professor at Columbia Business School in New York City. She and her husband have helped raise over $130,000 for the International African American Museum. Tecco also serves in an advisory role to the Medical University of South Carolina.

“Halle is smart and accomplished,” Riley said in a statement. “I believe that her knowledge of technology, on which the museum will so heavily rely, will be invaluable.”

A spokeswoman for the museum said it’s within $2 million of its $25 million fundraising goal. The museum is expected to break ground on the former site of Gadsden’s Wharf later this year.