American Writers Museum Board of Directors Appoint John W. Estey Chairman
January 22, 2019 (CHICAGO) – American Writers Museum (AWM) today announces the appointment of John W. Estey, executive chairman of S&C Electric Company, as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Estey, an AWM founding board member, succeeds inaugural co-chairpersons Roberta Rubin and M. Hill Hammock, whose service was instrumental to the Museum’s launch.
“It’s a privilege to serve the American Writers Museum as Chairman,” says John Estey. “As the only museum in the country to showcase American writers and their works, the exhibits and programs the American Writers Museum creates will inspire our next generation of writers.”
John Estey is Chairman of S&C Electric Company, a global supplier of equipment and services for electric power systems, headquartered in Chicago. He joined S&C in 1972 and has held leadership positions in the company’s R&D and marketing operations divisions. He was named president and CEO in 1997, Executive Chairman in 2013, and Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2015.
“John Estey is a distinguished business and not-for-profit leader who can take the American Writers Museum to the next level,” says M. Hill Hammock. “John’s involvement with American Writers Museum since its beginning demonstrates his commitment and confidence that the Museum will continue to grow its impact on Chicago and the nation.”
John’s career includes a rich history of service to not-for-profit organizations. Estey is also a member and past Chairman of The Adler Planetarium Board of Trustees. He served for thirteen years in leadership positions at the Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers, where he was on the Power & Energy Society Governing Board, two years as its president, and was elected Fellow in 2007. He also served fifteen years on the board of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association including as Chair of its Board of Governors.
John lives in Glenview, IL with his wife Cathie where they raised two children. American Writers Museum’s A Nation of Writers gallery is sponsored by the Estey family.
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American Writers Museum is the first museum solely devoted to celebrating American writers and their works. Opened to the public in 2017, its mission is to engage the public in celebrating American writers and exploring their influence on our history, our identity, and our daily lives. Several permanent exhibits, interactive displays, and specially curated installations offer visitors of all ages a one-of-a-kind experience.
Past installations include Laura Ingalls Wilder: From Prairie to Page which highlighted how Ms. Ingalls Wilder’s Little House series shaped American understanding of the time period and The Beat Journey: Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road” featuring the display of the original scroll manuscript.
Located in the historic former International Harvester Building at 180 N. Michigan Ave, American Writers Museum sits among the Chicago Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, Millennium Park, Chicago Cultural Center, the Chicago Theatre District, and several cultural and artistic icons.
American Writers Museum is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and is open seven days a week. Admission is $12 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, and free for children ages 12 and under. Visit AmericanWritersMuseum.org or call 312-374-8790 for more information.