HOUSTON, TX.- Gary Tinterow, Director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, today announced the appointment of Eric O. Anyah as the Museum’s Chief Financial Officer. Anyah comes to the Museum from the Art Institute of Chicago, where he was most recently Executive Vice President and CFO. Anyah directed the strategic financial planning for the Art Institute’s museum and school, including oversight of $900 million in endowment and pension funds. He also oversaw the financial management of the Art Institute’s recent, more than $400 million, capital campaign.

“Eric is uniquely positioned to move the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, ahead in its financial planning as we embark on the Museum’s expansion and endowment campaigns,” Tinterow said. “Coming from 10 years of financial leadership at one of the world’s most prestigious art institutions— one that, like the MFAH, operates a school as well as a museum—and having steered the Art Institute of Chicago through the successful completion of its capital campaign, Eric brings superior strategic thinking and analytical skills, along with his great financial acumen and museum experience.”

Richard D. Kinder, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, added, “The Trustees look forward to working with Eric as we plan for the Museum’s future growth. He has the essential qualities that are needed to position this Museum to accomplish our goals.”

Anyah, 45, was born in Nigeria. He came to the United States to study at the University of Illinois at Chicago, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in art history and architecture, and a Master of Science degree in accounting. Anyah joined the Art Institute of Chicago in 2003 as Vice President of Budget, Financial and Strategic Planning, following positions in finance and budget with, among other organizations, the Leadership Council for Metropolitan Open Communities, the University of Chicago and the U.S. offices of software-solutions company Pindar Systems. While at the Art Institute, Anyah led the development of institute-wide capital and operating budgets, as well as accounting and control systems, treasury functions, risk management and compliance and strategic sourcing.

“I am thrilled to be joining the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston,” Anyah commented, “and I look forward to working with Gary Tinterow, his internal team and the Board during this exciting next chapter in the Museum’s history. Leaving the Art Institute, with all that everyone has accomplished there over the last 10 years together, was not a decision to take lightly. But Houston presents an extraordinary opportunity that would be hard to replicate anywhere else.”

Anyah begins his new role in October 2013. He succeeds Gwendolyn H. Goffe, who retired in June after 25 years at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.