National Historical Publications and Records Commission Names New Executive Director
Press Release · Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Washington, DC

Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero today announced the appointment of Christopher Eck as the Executive Director of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, effective April 1, 2018.

“Chris brings a breadth of experience to the job, both in the Federal government at several agencies, as well as his work in Florida for historical preservation,” said Ferriero. “He is the kind of leader and creative thinker that will steer the NHPRC forward, and we are excited about his ideas to connect the work of the National Archives to the nation’s archives.”

As Executive Director, Chris will lead the National Archives grants program, which funds projects to provide access to historical records held in collections across the country and provides leadership for initiatives in digital publishing, innovation in archives, electronic records, public engagement, partnerships with state archives, and professional development.  Since 1964, the NHPRC has awarded nearly 5,000 grants and created new initiatives such as Founders Online and the Digital Editions Publishing Cooperatives program.

Chris comes to the National Archives from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency as its Terrestrial Archaeology Program Manager for the Strategic Partnerships Directorate. His team worked with archivists, historians, and archaeologists to undertake activities that assist in locating and recovering missing U.S. service member remains from around the world for their identification and reburial in the United States. Prior to that role, Chris worked as Federal Preservation Officer for the First Responder Network Authority, as Cultural Resources Program Manager for the Air National Guard headquarters, and as Historic Preservation Officer for the General Services Administration’s regional headquarters in Atlanta.

He has also led the Miami-Dade Office of Historic Preservation as its Executive Director and was Administrator and County Historic Preservation Officer for the Broward County Historical Commission.  He was worked on the boards of the Fort Lauderdale Historic Preservation Board, the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, and as a library visiting committee member for Loyola University New Orleans.

Chris earned a B.A. in History from Loyola University New Orleans, an M.A. in History and Historical Archaeology from the University of Massachusetts Boston, and a J.D. from the University of Miami.  Two of his most recent publications include the book, Southern Maryland’s Historic Landmarks (Arcadia 2016), and an article, “Preserving Heritage: The Role of Media,” in The Encyclopedia of Global Archaeology (Springer Science 2014).