Head of museum foundation to retire
New Mexico Museum of Natural History Foundation president and CEO Jotina Trussell, who has been with the organization for 27 years, has announced her retirement effective June 30.
“It has been my distinct honor and such a privilege to serve as the president and CEO of the NMMNH Foundation,” Trussell said in a statement.
Trussell initially served as special events coordinator and, for the past 13 years, has been president and chief executive officer, according to a news release from the foundation.
She introduced the foundation’s signature fundraising event, Chocolate Fantasy, which, in its 25th year, remains one of New Mexico’s premier galas.
“We sincerely thank Jotina for her dedication, passion, and tireless support of both the Foundation and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science,” said foundation board chairman Mike Mertz in a statement.
The foundation noted her other accomplishments as including:
Successful completion of the Foundation’s second capital campaign for $5.5 million, which built the Lockheed Martin DynaT heater, enhanced the Cretaceous exhibit, and built the Triassic and Jurassic exhibits, and the NatureWorks Discovery Store, and provided new travertine flooring for the atrium in the museum.
Funding the 2005 purchase of 2.92 acres of land adjacent to the museum’s education building.
Overseeing, in 2007, the arrival of the microcomputer gallery “STARTUP — Albuquerque and the Personal Computer Revolution” exhibit was established, funded by gifts from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, the Bill Gates Foundation and the NMMNH Foundation totaling $5.6 million.
Trussell said she leaves her position with “a sense of pride and fulfillment having worked in a position and for an organization that met all of my dreams and aspirations.”