Detroit Institute of Arts gets new board chair for first time in more than 20 years

The board of directors of the Detroit Institute of Arts on Wednesday voted unanimously to elect a Detroit business leader as its next chair.

Lane Coleman will assume the position effective Jan. 1, following a five-month transition period with Gene Gargaro, who announced his retirement as DIA board chair in May. He’s held the role for more than 20 years.

Coleman is the founder, president and CEO of Strike Group LLC, a sustainment logistics and material supply-sourcing venture. An avid supporter of the arts, Coleman is a board member of the Detroit Institute of Arts and serves on the DIA’s Executive Committee as well as the Finance and Audit Committee. He and his wife, Leigh, are also passionate collectors of African American art.

“I am honored that the board of directors has entrusted me with the duty of leading the board for the next three years,” Coleman said. “The DIA is a pillar of the Metro Detroit community and a gem appreciated by art-lovers around the world. As board chair, I look forward to advancing the museum’s mission and ensuring its longevity for generations to come.”

The search for a successor to Gargaro was conducted by the board’s Governance and Nominating Committee, guided by Committee Chair Bonnie Larson. The committee identified and vetted several candidates for the position, incorporating input and feedback from board members as well as DIA leadership.

A chairperson for the museum’s board of directors is elected every three years and may serve up to three 3-year terms, according to the DIA’s current bylaws.

Over the past year, the committee led efforts to survey DIA board members, gathering input on important attributes for the museum’s next board chair. Nearly 80% of board members and half of emeritus members responded to the survey, highlighting proven leadership skills, experience with the DIA, and experience with collaborative team building and fundraising as among the most crucial qualities for the candidate to possess.

“The committee took all board member input into consideration, and it was clear from that feedback that the ideal candidate should hold a strong record of service to the DIA and the community,” Larson said in a statement. “Given the DIA’s long history in Detroit and the museum’s needs in the future, Lane’s background and qualifications make him the best fit for this position.”

A native Chicagoan, Coleman and his family reside in Detroit, where he serves on numerous local and regional boards, including the City of Detroit Water Commission, Henry Ford Hospital Health Network and the Detroit Regional Chamber.

“Lane has a strong passion for the arts and understands its transformative power to help better our society and bring our communities closer together,” DIA Director Salvador Salort-Pons said in the release. “The DIA is looking forward to working with him to engage our partners in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties, so we can continue to provide excellent service and bring the museum to greater accomplishments at the local, national and international levels.”

Coleman will undergo a transition period over the next five months with Gargaro, who has agreed to help assist him until he assumes the position on Jan. 1, 2024.

“We’re so grateful for Gene’s continued service to the museum,” said Salort-Pons. “With his help, we look forward to a smooth transition for Lane.”

“It has been an honor to guide our great museum on its mission and strategy for the past 20 years,” Gargaro said. “The DIA’s future is bright, and Lane will bring the necessary leadership, business expertise and a deep appreciation of the arts to the DIA.”