Congratulations to our former Board Chairman, Todd Bankofier for joining Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West as CEO and Executive Director. “Todd served as our Board Chairman for Catholic Education Arizona, we could not be more proud to watch Todd step into this new and exciting leadership role. We had 44% growth under his watch, we suspect Todd will have the same mindset for the Museum of the West. shared Nancy Padberg, MBA President and CEO of Catholic Education Arizona.
“I am truly honored to have been selected to lead this esteemed organization,” said Todd. “Countless talented people have dedicated so much of their time and treasure to bring about this museum and make it what it is today.”
After 35 years in Scottsdale and two years as Chairman of the Board of Catholic Education Arizona, Todd steps into this new role with exciting plans to boost engagement with local Arizonians and the millions of visitors to Arizona each year. “This job made a lot of sense to me just because of the joy I will get from introducing this iconic museum to people in Arizona and from all over the world,” Todd said.
Raised on a ranch outside Reno, NV, one could say Todd was born for this role! He spent the first 17 years of his life raising cattle and sheep on a ranch – and even watching his family compete in rodeos! ”I’ve been living in Scottsdale for the past 35 years but (the ranch life) never left me,” Bankofier said. “I still ride to this day, I love to go to all events at Westworld and I love the Western culture here.” Todd even proposed to his wife, Kim, on horseback! Together, they raised three children in Scottsdale, Kylee, Scooter, and Bailey, all graduates of Notre Dame Prep High School.
“I never knew anything else growing up,” Bankofier said. “I would wake up at 4:30 a.m. and do two hours of chores and feed animals before I went to school. So that taught me a strong work ethic, values, boldness and ethical values that I think the American West breeds in people.”
