WASHINGTON, D.C..- Ellen MacNeile Charles, president of Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens, announced today the appointment of Kate Markert as executive director. Hillwood’s Search Committee was assisted by Opportunity Resources Inc. of New York City in the successful completion of the search. Currently the associate director at The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, Markert will succeed Frederick J. Fisher, who has led Hillwood as executive director for over 20 years and has long planned to make 2010 his final year heading up the former estate of Marjorie Merriweather Post in northwest DC. Markert, who will be Hillwood’s second professional director since its founding in 1977, will assume leadership on August 2. “We are thrilled that Kate will be joining Hillwood at a key time in our history,” said Charles, who is also Post’s granddaughter, of the appointment. “When we began the search for a new director, we were looking for an innovative candidat