Will Lead Project Through Design, Construction and Opening
Fort Smith, AR -(AmmoLand.com)- The U.S. Marshals Museum today announced the hiring of Patrick Weeks as president and CEO. The move will free current president Jim Dunn from operational responsibilities.
He will now focus solely on fundraising. Weeks was offered the position following a national search for a recognized museum professional who could lead the project through design, construction and opening. Starting July 1, Dunn will work side-by-side with Weeks for 90 days to allow for a seamless transition.
“We are extremely pleased to offer the job of president and CEO to Patrick Weeks,” said Judge Jim Spears, chairman of the museum’s board of directors. “He has the vision, leadership and experience needed to build on Jim Dunn’s success and guide the museum through this important stage of development and beyond.”
Weeks has more than two decades of experience in the creation and operations of guest experiences, environments and programming for museums, science centers and theme parks. He is the current principal of Strategic Experience Solutions, which focuses on project planning; implementation and oversight; growth and development of operations; annual budgets; and guest experiences.
“Patrick has played an integral role in the design, construction and exhibit creation of several national entities,” said Robert Young, chairman of the museum’s foundation. “At the Arizona Science Center, he fostered relationships with corporate sponsors, individual donors and municipal government entities to complete a $24.5 million capital reinvestment project. I’m confident he and Jim Dunn will do the same for the U.S. Marshals Museum to bring this project over the finish line.”
Prior to Strategic Experience Solutions, Weeks served as vice president of Roto, a full-service design and production firm specializing in experiences for museums and entertainment venues. There, he oversaw the development and creation of a multi-million dollar gallery project for a large science museum. He also served as vice president of operations and guest experiences for the Arizona Science Center.
“Patrick will assume operational leadership of this project at the perfect time,” said Doug Babb, former museum board chair and chair of the search committee. “He has a proven track record of completing fundraising, construction and museum exhibit design on time and under budget.“
According to Dunn, the building will be the single biggest component of the project cost. Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects and Cambridge Seven Associates are currently in the process of revising the museum’s schematic design. Once this phase is complete, the architects and CDI Contractors, the construction consultant, will provide an updated cost for construction. The current $22.5 million cost estimate is from 2009. The museum is currently expected to open in 2018.
“I’m excited to join the U.S. Marshals Museum and bring to life the stories of the U.S. Marshals Service,” said Weeks. “I look forward to building on the foundation that is already in place and moving the project through completion and opening. It’s an honor to be part of the creation of a National Learning Center, which will tell the U.S. Marshals Service’s story of honor, justice and integrity.”
About the U.S. Marshals Museum:
The future U.S. Marshals Museum will be a national museum located on the riverfront in Fort Smith, Ark. Museum plans include three permanent exhibit galleries, a temporary exhibit gallery, the Samuel M. Sicard Hall of Honor and a National Learning Center. The museum will tell the more than 225-year story of the U.S. Marshals Service, the oldest law enforcement agency in the United States, and honor the sacrifice of marshals killed in the line of duty.
For more information, visit usmarshalsmuseum.org.