EL PASO, TX.- Julia Bussinger, Director of the El Paso Museum of History, will be leaving her position with the City of El Paso to pursue new professional opportunities. Bussinger has served as Director of the Museum since May 2009 and has also overseen operations of the Museum of Archaeology for part of that tenure. Her last day in a leadership capacity will be December 3.

“While I have enjoyed my time here in El Paso, I felt it was time for me to explore new challenges and opportunities after the success we have had at the El Paso Museums of History and Archaeology,” Bussinger said.

While at the El Paso Museum of History, she oversaw the installation and start-up of DIGIE (Digital Information Gateway In El Paso), the first 3D digital wall in the United States. Digie recently won a technology award through the Mountain Plain Museum Association, a 10-state organization. Bussinger also oversaw exhibits that encouraged the community to collaborate with the Museum to share El Paso’s rich history. These include Neighborhoods and Shared Memories, which received a National award for excellence in design through the American Institute for Graphic Design Artists and People of the Sun, collaboration with the Tigua Tribe of Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo for both History and Archaeology museums with artifacts on loan from the National Museum of World Cultures in Leiden, Netherlands.

“During her tenure, Julia has overseen the growth of programs at two museums and helped integrate state of the art technology into how we interact with the history of our region. We have benefited from her leadership, and I wish her the best as she explores other professional opportunities,” said Tracey Jerome, Director of the Museums and Cultural Affairs Department.

While recruitment takes place, Ben Fyffe, Assistant Director of MCAD, will oversee operations at the Museum of History and Museum of Archaeology, in addition to his other departmental duties. Fyffe has considerable museum-specific experience that will allow the Museums of History and Archaeology to continue to move forward without issue or interruption.