For many, Gene Gargaro and his wife, Mary Anne, need no introduction. Around Detroit, Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties—as well as the entire State of Michigan—the Gargaro name is synonymous with leadership, generosity, and a deep love for the city and the state. At the DIA, Gene’s especially known for his longtime dedication as Chairman of the Board—from 2003 to 2024—during which he transformed the museum with the 2007 expansion and reinstallation, secured two millages (2012 and 2020) establishing a unique business model for the organization, as he helped raise hundreds of millions dollars to create a path that will secure the DIA’s financial independence for future generations.

Mary Anne has been right there with him every step of the way. She’s been an advisor, a champion of the arts, and a hands-on leader at the DIA—chairing the annual Gala and the Associates of the American Wing Auxiliary Board, among many other activities immensely benefiting the museum. In 2015, The museum honored her and Gene with the Lifetime Service Award.

My wife Alex and I first met Gene and Mary Anne in 2008, not long after I began working in the DIA’s curatorial department. From the start, what stood out was their warmth, their passion for the museum, and their commitment to making the DIA a place for everyone. Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how their leadership has shaped this institution, and both have become role models for my wife and me.

Thanks to nearly $15 million in new gifts to the DIA’s unrestricted operating endowment, we now have a meaningful way to say “thank you”: the director’s official title will now be the Mary Anne and Eugene A. Gargaro Jr., Director, President, and CEO. It’s a title I’m proud and very honored to carry—and one that reflects their extraordinary legacy.

These gifts to the Gargaro DIA Director Naming Endowment celebrate not just Gene’s years of service, but the powerful role he and Mary Anne have played in helping the museum grow and thrive. Close to 100 donors contributed, including several families who made seven-figure gifts. That kind of generosity is a real testament to the respect and admiration people have for Gene and Mary Anne and the lasting impact they’ve had.

Gene may have stepped down as Chairman last year, but his impact is everywhere. I have no doubt his leadership, as our Emeritus Board Chair, will continue to shape the DIA for generations to come. In the meantime, the museum continues to receive hundreds of thousands of visitors, the majority of them benefiting from free admission. Many come once, then again and again. The DIA has become a true community space, open to all.