LONG BEACH, CA.- Mike Deovlet and Burke Gumbiner, Co-Chairmen of the Museum of Latin American Art’s (MOLAA) Board of Directors, announced today that Richard P. Townsend has stepped down as President and CEO of MOLAA to pursue other opportunities.

Since joining MOLAA in May 2009, Townsend has played an instrumental role in reshaping and strengthening the artistic vision of the museum. One of his first and most critical moves was bringing on MOLAA’s current Chief Curator Cecilia Fajardo-Hill. Together, Fajardo-Hill and Townsend have produced some of the most compelling and artistically challenging exhibitions in the institution’s history. The result – growing admissions and increasing accolades from the museum industry and media critics regionally, nationally, and internationally. These are signs of great things to come as Fajardo-Hill continues to lead the curatorial department in carrying out the artistic vision created by Townsend.

MOLAA’s Board of Directors is excited about the exhibition program that has been developed during Townsend’s tenure. Burke Gumbiner, Co-Chairman and son of MOLAA Founder Dr. Robert Gumbiner, says “we will always remember Richard’s contributions to MOLAA’s artistic program. He helped realize my father’s vision and took the exhibition program in a direction that would have made my father proud.”

Prior to joining MOLAA, Townsend was Deputy Director for External Affairs at the Miami Art Museum. He also served as Executive Director and CEO of Price Tower Arts Center, a museum of art, architecture and design housed in the Price Tower, a landmark building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Townsend has also held positions at the Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa, Oklahoma and the University of Tulsa.

MOLAA’s Board of Directors will immediately begin an international search to replace Townsend.