In front from left are Carson Greene Jr., interim president of the Jimmy Stewart Museum; Tim Kronenwetter, vice chairman of the board; Janie McKirgan, incoming president; and Lindsey Meola, secretary. In back, from left, Jerry Thomchick, board chairman, and Bob Bell, treasurer.   The James M. Stewart Museum Foundation has appointed Janie McKirgan as the museum’s new president, effective Aug. 5. She was appointed at the annual meeting of the museum board on Tuesday. McKirgan was previously the fundraising coordinator for United Way of Indiana County. She has been involved in many several community activities and organizations, including the Alice Paul House and Downtown Indiana Inc. McKirgan was a member of the original board of directors of the museum from 1995 to ’98 and, while serving, she organized three Harvey Award dinners and weekend celebrations for the museum as well as organized the first George Bailey Award dinner. She was a member of the museum’s marketing committee, which promoted the museum’s opening and the impact on the community. McKirgan is a graduate of Michigan State University, where she majored in communications. “I have known Janie since the opening of the museum in 1995, and her dedication to the community and the museum is outstanding and second to none,” Carson Greene, Jr., interim president and chairman emeritus of the museum, she said in a news release. “During our tenure of serving together on the museum board, I must say that Janie was a driving force in establishing the museum’s presence here in Indiana. There is no doubt that her leadership abilities and love for the Jimmy Stewart Museum will bode well for the future of Indiana County’s No. 1 tourist attraction and keeping the Jimmy Stewart legacy alive.” “I am thrilled we have found such a great person for our president’s position,” Jerry Thomchick, board chairman, said in the release. “Janie is a long-time resident of the area with strong ties throughout the community. She will bring a renewed enthusiasm, a wave of new ideas, a history of accomplishment, a passion for fundraising and a love for the museum and the legacy of Jimmy Stewart.” At Tuesday’s annual meeting, the board named the following as officers for the coming fiscal year: Thomchick, chairman; Tim Kronenwetter, vice chairman; Lindsey Meola, secretary; and Bob Bell, treasurer. Brian Croft, who has been assisting Greene in the interim, will continue as business manager. Timothy Harley, the former executive director of the museum, retired earlier this year. (Jamie Empfield/Gazette)