C. J. Roberts

C. J. Roberts began his tenure as director of the Division of State History Museums in April 2025.

A museum professional for more than 30 years, Roberts previously directed four history museums. He led two of those museums through their planning, construction, and grand openings, including the Tampa Bay History Center, where he served as president and CEO for 20 years. In the three years leading up to the history center’s opening, Roberts worked closely with various community groups to ensure their voices and stories were accurately represented in the new museum.

Roberts serves on several boards and committees. In 2018, he was appointed to a six-year term on the American Alliance of Museums Accreditation Commission, which oversees the accreditation process.

He earned both an undergraduate degree in history and folklore and a master’s degree in library and information science from Indiana University. Roberts also earned the Certified Fund Raising Executive designation from CFRE International and graduated from the Seminar for Historical Administration and the Getty Museum Management Institute.