The Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven will be looking for a new executive director. That’s because current director Patti Montgomery Reinert is retiring after more than 15 years at the helm.

Reinert will step down from her leadership role at the Michigan Maritime Museum on September 30 of 2025, so the museum has plenty of time to search for a successor.

Reinert began her tenure at the museum in early 2009, being tasked with overseeing leadership and planning to secure the museum’s financial future. With a staff of only three, the museum grew membership and attendance. By 2016, the museum was on solid financial footing, which culminated with paying off the balance of a loan for the $1.3 million tall ship, Friends Good Will. Reinert has also led the museum through its recent Launching a Legacy capital project, expanding its property and building a new heritage center.

Reinert says her decision to step down next year comes after careful planning and consideration and she’s proud to be leaving the museum in a strong position.

Plans are in place to name Reinert’s successor by May of 2025 so there can be overlap between her and the new director.