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U.S. Marshals Museum Names Ben Johnson as President and CEO

Lindauer was honored to partner with the United States Marshals Museum in the search for its new President and CEO. Congratulations to Ben Johnson on his appointment, effective August 22, 2022.

Doug Babb, USMM Board Chairperson, said “In conducting a national search, we were looking for a new CEO with a proven track record of achievement in museum operations. And that is exactly what we are getting with Ben Johnson. Over his 20-year museum career, Ben has served in nearly every capacity within the museum industry. He understands every aspect of museum operations because he has performed nearly every position.”

Johnson comes to the USMM from the Putnam Museum and Science Center in Davenport, Iowa, where he is vice president of Museum Experience. Putnam is a 120,000-square-foot museum with around 120,000 visitors a year. Johnson is responsible for all aspects of museum operations and the guest experience. Prior to Putnam, Johnson was the executive director of The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport, New York. At Curtiss, he grew annual visits and revenues over a successful five-year stint as the museum leader.

Babb continued, “Ben brings us the expertise we need to complete the fabrication and installation of the museum experience, hire and train our museum staff and develop a business plan for an operating museum. We expect that with a new CEO with a track record of success in museum operations, we can accelerate our fundraising and open to the public next year.”

Commenting on his new role as USMM CEO, Johnson said, “I am both excited and humbled to lead the organization honoring the brave men and women who have served our nation since 1789. As sacred ground, Fort Smith is the ideal location for this world-class museum, and I look forward to sharing it with the world.”

Read the full press release reported by the Fort Smith Times Record.

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