Todd Bankofier tapped to lead next stage of growth and development
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press
Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West is appointing Todd Bankofier as its new CEO and executive director.
Mr. Bankofier will be at the forefront of Western Spirit’s crucial next phase of growth and development, officials close to the matter say.
The Western Spirit board of director’s search committee conducted a national search spanned over six months as Mr. Bankofier stood out among the applicants due to his extensive experience in Arizona-based business leadership roles as well as his philanthropic work in the local community.
Mr. Bankofier brings decades of knowledge in formulating, defining and executing short- and long-term business strategies and a proven success record in transforming companies and organizations, officials there say.
“I am truly honored to have been selected to lead this esteemed organization,” Mr. Bankofier said in a prepared statement. “Countless talented people have dedicated so much of their time and treasure to bring about this museum and make it what it is today. I am committed to working with the outstanding team at Western Spirit to continue advancing the museum’s mission and vision, ultimately guiding our award-winning institution to even greater heights.”
David Sherf, interim CEO of Western Spirit expressed his enthusiasm for hiring Mr. Bankofier.
“We are so pleased to welcome Todd to our team as the new CEO and executive director,” Mr. Sherf said. “Given his proven track record of success in both business and the nonprofit sector, we are confident in his ability to help shape a bold new vision for Western Spirit. With his broad knowledge of cutting-edge technologies, we look forward to seeing Todd leverage the latest innovations to help us engage and inspire audiences worldwide.”
Todd Bankofier tapped to led next stage of growth and development
Mr. Bankofier’s background includes
- working as a legislative aide to Sen. Paul Laxalt,
- serving as Chief of Staff to Jim Bruner of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors,
- CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, and
- holding various executive positions at the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, XO Communications, and Ensynch.
He was the CEO of publicly traded digital-accessibility company Audioeye, the founder and CEO of Fairmont Capital Group, and the co-founder and CEO of seed-stage SaaS start-up CyberPassport.
Ms. Bankofier holds a BS in business management from Arizona State University and is a 35-year resident of Scottsdale.
Western Spirit features regularly changing and permanent exhibits of Western and Native American art and artifacts, entertaining events, and informative programs that bring the West’s heritage, culture, and community to life.
Featuring The Gather: A Portrait of the American West by Scott T. Baxter and upcoming exhibits such as Werner Segarra: Vaqueros de La Cruz del Diablo, and Western Pop: Andy Warhol & Billy Schenck; and The Railroad Opening Up the West, a model train exhibition.
Permanent exhibitions continually on display include Canvas of Clay: Hopi Pottery Masterworks from The Allan and Judith Cooke Collection, which features 65 of the finest examples of Hopi pottery spanning six centuries, the Frankie and Howard Alper Collection of John Coleman Bronzes; and The Abe Hays Family Spirit of the West Collection, a showcase of more than 1,400 saddles, spurs, cowboy gear, and other Old West objects.
