Jefferson Foundation picks Bowman as chief

By Jeremy Borden

Published: May 16, 2008

Monticello has selected a new leader for the first time in more than 20 years, the Thomas Jefferson Foundation announced Thursday.

Daniel P. Jordan, Monticello’s chief executive since 1985, announced last year that he would retire in November, and a search ensued for a replacement. The foundation on Thursday named Leslie Greene Bowman as the new president and chief executive.

Bowman, 51, previously headed operations at the country estate of Henry Francis du Pont, an avid antiques collector and horticulturalist.

The Delaware estate is known as Winterthur.

“There weren’t many that could tempt me away,” Bowman said of Monticello.

Jordan was unavailable for comment Thursday. Bowman will train for a month in October under Jordan and take the reins in November, just in time for the opening of Monticello’s new visitors center, one of the biggest undertakings in the history of the foundation. Monticello officials hope the new $55 million Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center and Smith Education Center will spur renewed interest in Monticello and bump attendance.

In 2007, attendance hit its lowest point in nearly 30 years. Last year, Monticello saw 441,739 visitors, down more than 8.500 from the previous year.

“Leslie is joining Monticello at an inflection point,” Alice W. Handy, chairwoman of the foundation’s Board of Trustees, said in a statement. “She’s the perfect person to take our exciting plans forward.”

Bowman’s new post ends an almost nine-year tenure at Winterthur. An Ohio native, Bowman received her bachelor’s degree from Miami University in Ohio and a graduate degree from Winterthur’s Museum Program at the University of Delaware.

“Monticello is poised for an even greater profile,” Bowman said. “I’ve really been passionate about working for an institution that nurtures excellence.”