The Peorian

Thu03282024

Last updateMon, 15 Jun 2020 10pm

Back You are here: Home News News Business New Museum CEO has the right kind of experience

New Museum CEO has the right kind of experience

gapp
Log in to save this page.

Sam Gappmayer will bring to Peoria a knowledge of art and the experience of running a multi-faceted museum when he takes over as head of the Peoria Riverfront Museum on Dec. 2, said the chairman of the museum's board.

That experience along with ideas he is already forming has the board "universally enthusiastic and excited" about Gappmayer, said David Ransburg.

"After meeting with Sam we believe he will be a very effective leader and a good manager," Ransburg said. "There is a difference between leading and managing, of course. We think he will be able to inspire others with his leadership abilities while keeping the operation running well."

Gappmayer, 57, will be the museum's president and CEO, titles he has heled the last five years at the Fine Arts Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., a multi-faceted organization that combine an arts museum, art school and a theatre. "He has extensive experience in museum management as well as a strong background in nonprofit operation and governance. We think he will be a good fit for Peoria," Ransburg said.

In a statement issued by the Riverfront Museum Gappmayer said, "It's been wonderful over the past few months to learn about Peoria and the Peoria Riverfront Museum. The accomplishments represented by the new building and programming are significant. They reflect very positively on a community that is forward thinking and supportive of the role culture can play in our lives.

"I am humbled and honored to be able to serve in a leadership role with the Peoria Riverfront Museum. My wife Ann and I look forward very much to becoming part of the Peoria community."

Gappmayer was one of 59 original candidates for the job, a list that was narrowed by the search firm hired by the Museum to seven candidates presented to the museum board's search committee. The committee then interviewed five candidates, called three back for a second interview, then chose Gappmayer from among those three finalists, Ransburg said.

"It was a thorough process," he said.

Debbie Ritschel, who has been the interim CEO since Jim Richerson left the Riverfront Museum in May, will stay until Gappmayer arrives and be available to assist in the transition where needed, Ransburg said.

He had much praise for the job done by Ritschel, who was previously general manager of the Peoria Civic Center. "She's sharp. She improved operations while she was here and did what she needed to do. I have all the respect in the world for her. I just hope she's kidding when she says she'll never have lunch with me again," Ransburg said.

It was over lunch in May that he asked Ritschel to take the interim position.

Gappmayer will be introduced to the community at a news conference after he comes to Peoria, the museum said.

About the Author
Paul Gordon is the editor of The Peorian after spending 29 years of indentured servitude at the Peoria Journal Star. He’s an award-winning writer, raconteur and song-and-dance man. He also went to a high school whose team name is the Alices (that’s Vincennes Lincoln High School in Indiana; you can look it up).