CHRIS JOHNSON ELECTED TO SERVE AS CHAIRMAN OF AVA GARDNER MUSEUM

(Smithfield, NC) – Chris Johnson, Executive Director of Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation, was elected as the incoming Chairman of the Board for the Ava Gardner Museum at the Museum's Board of Directors meeting on August 7.

Johnson replaces outgoing Chairman, Deidre Kraft, who has served as chairman since 1996. During her tenure as chairman, Kraft was instrumental in establishing the permanent Market Street location for the Ava Gardner Museum and growing the Museum into one of most visited attractions along North Carolina's I-95 corridor. Additional officers include vice-chairman, John Mark Ivey, Global Knowledge and secretary/treasurer, Donna Bailey Taylor, Executive Director of Johnston County Visitors Bureau.

Members of the Ava Gardner Museum's Board of Directors for 2006 – 2007 include; Deidre Kraft, Andrew Corporation; Mary Helen Wyatt, Johnston County Schools; Pete Connet, Town of Smithfield; Mary Edna Grimes Grantham, Gardner family representative; Mokie Stancil, Stancil Oil; Ardie Lupton, Blackmon Property Group, Nathan Swanson, North Carolina Division of Mental Health; Christopher Gould, Kensington Vacations; Rick Tobin, Four Oaks Bank; and David Creech, Caterpillar, Inc. and Gardner family representative.

The Ava Gardner Museum, one of North Carolina's premier attractions, is located at 325 East Market Street in the heart of downtown Smithfield, NC. The Museum is dedicated to displaying and preserving artifacts from the life of screen legend Ava Gardner. The Museum's hours are Monday through Saturday, 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM and Sunday 2:00 PM until 5:00 PM. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and teens and $3 for children.

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