Scottsdale museum appoints Todd Bankofier CEO and executive director

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Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West has appointed Todd Bankofier its new CEO and executive director, effective as of May 12. Image of Bankofier courtesy of Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West

Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West has appointed Todd Bankofier its new CEO and executive director, effective as of May 12. Image of Bankofier courtesy of Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, has appointed Todd Bankofier its new chief executive officer (CEO) and executive director, effective as of May 12. Bankofier will be at the forefront of Western Spirit’s crucial next phase of growth and development.

Western Spirit Board’s search committee conducted a national search for the CEO and executive director position that spanned six months. Bankofier stood out among the applicants due to his extensive experience in Arizona-based business leadership roles as well as his inspirational work in local community service. 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, pivoting on new tactics, and building healthy cultures, all while consistently exceeding overall expectations.

“I am truly honored to have been selected to lead this esteemed organization,” said Bankofier. “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.”

Bankofier’s background includes working as a legislative aide to Senator 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 the 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.

He has won awards for Top 10 Valley’s Most Influential under 40 for 2002 by The Business Journal; the Valley’s Most Influential Business Leaders in 2004; was voted one of Arizona’s Top Young Leaders in Business in 2005; and earned the honor of Father of the Year from the American Diabetes Association in 2007. 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. It currently features The Gather: A Portrait of the American West by Scott T. Baxter and is readying upcoming exhibits such as Werner Segarra: Vaqueros de La Cruz del Diablo; Western Pop: Andy Warhol & Billy Schenck; and The Railroad Opening Up the West, a model train exhibition.

For more information on Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, please visit Scottsdalemuseumwest.org.

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