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Home > Blogs > Arts and Entertainment > Archives > 2011 > January > 21 > Entry
DAI ousts security chief
Dayton Art Institute director of security Bob Bowman was asked to resign by museum officials Thursday, Jan. 20.
The move came during an investigation by the museum into the source of recent anonymous email messages about the museum’s financial situation that were sent to The Dayton Daily News or posted on Facebook.
Stories in the Jan. 16 Dayton Daily News examined the museum’s finances and ongoing efforts to reduce expenses.
Dona L. Vella, DAI deputy director for development and external affairs, confirmed Friday that Bowman “is no longer with the museum,” but said the departure had “nothing to do with the emails or the articles in the Dayton Daily News. We are still trying to find out who sent the emails.”
Vella refused further comment “because this is a personnel matter.”
Bowman, of Bellbrook, has supervised security at the museum for more than 10 years. He is also security chief for The Greene Towne Center and police chief for Perry Twp. in Montgomery County.
The museum has hired the same firm that provides security for Grandview Hospital and Southview Medical Center on an interim basis, Vella said.
According to Bowman, “I was given 24 hours to resign or be terminated. They pushed for a resignation and had a pre-written letter drafted for me to sign. I declined to sign that.”
In a letter to his former co-workers at DAI, Bowman said he was asked to leave for two reasons.
One had to do with the museum hiring an employee “before having me do a background check first. The employee was found to have a prior theft conviction, meaning this person would not normally have been hired. It is alleged that I shared this information with others. I received an oral reprimand for this in November,” he said.
“The second reason stated is that the director (DAI director and chief executive Jan Driesbach) believes that I have ‘generally not shown loyalty to the institution and the leadership team’.”
Vella said Bowman “no longer works here and we have taken steps to secure the art and the building, which are our priorities. Beyond that, there is no more to say at this time.”
Permalink | Comments (31) | Post your comment | Categories: Arts News, Visual arts
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By Cuz
January 21, 2011 4:10 PM | Link to this
Can’t say this makes me want to run right out and becomes a DAI member/supporter/donor. Something stinks here.
By nyc
January 21, 2011 4:36 PM | Link to this
do they have a panhandlers license to beg for donations???
By marc
January 21, 2011 4:44 PM | Link to this
The Dayton Art Institute sounds like it ran with the goodfellas. I agree with cuz, who wants to support this sort of organization.
By DPDinsider
January 21, 2011 4:54 PM | Link to this
I’ve known Chief Bowman for many years. There is no way he would do anything wrong or unethical. Sounds like he is the scape goat for something that is being hidden by the Director and staff!
By NCF
January 21, 2011 4:56 PM | Link to this
This article comes across as a little bit one-sided. I wonder, though, if this means my DAI pictures on flickr will get an up-tick in views today. You know, none of this business affects the quality of the art on display there. Rubens’ ‘Old Man’ is still a cool painting, regardless any “something stinks” situations in the administrative offices.
By Bryon
January 21, 2011 5:22 PM | Link to this
You will find the Director has gotten rid of every employee that has opposed her….most of the previous senior staff is gone because of that. The place seems to be on the decline…the next Salem Mall.
By Sandy
January 21, 2011 5:28 PM | Link to this
Typical of how business is done in Dayton, were hardcore in downtown; don’t like it? Leave.
By Rick
January 21, 2011 5:31 PM | Link to this
Close the place and go visit the Cincinnati Museum Station, it has a great Egyptian Exhibit. Remember when DAI USED to ?
By MJB
January 21, 2011 5:37 PM | Link to this
That’s the museum loss…..
By Becky
January 21, 2011 5:48 PM | Link to this
This article makes the guy sound pretty bad. Who would want the employees sending out out their own statements on behalf of the organization? If he really did that he should go.
By Cannot give name for fear of retaliation
January 21, 2011 6:01 PM | Link to this
The security chief was the best in the business and made sure that the staff and museum were highly qualified individuals. The director and HR manager are both on a binge of fires. It is sad to say but many statements given to the press by them are flat out lies (when compared to their actions.) Chief Bowman had integrity so he was seen as a problem and therefore had to go. I stand with him. If the Board of Trustees do not do something about this director they will be a board of a closed building!
By JDC
January 21, 2011 6:44 PM | Link to this
Those security officers haven’t had raises in three plus years but it seems like Jan and HR are doing just fine. Instead of running a business, than ran it into the ground.
By Wikki
January 21, 2011 7:26 PM | Link to this
Regardless of who did whatever, the Board of Trustees needs to do what is first and foremost to maintain the DAI as one of Dayton’s truly, rich landmarks.
By Wikki
January 21, 2011 7:31 PM | Link to this
Regardless of who did whatever, the Board of Trustees needs to do what is first and foremost to maintain the DAI as one of Dayton’s truly, rich landmarks.
By JayJay
January 21, 2011 8:14 PM | Link to this
Send your donations to the Boonshoft….forget DAI. Don’t visit and don’t donate until the Director gets the boots. Pass it on !
By E
January 21, 2011 8:33 PM | Link to this
Agreed, something doesn’t seem right. As a Dayton resident, I really hope the Board does something soon. String of bad news doesn’t mix well with getting donations from the community.
By F3AR2565
January 21, 2011 8:46 PM | Link to this
Seems that the higher-ups are really wearing rose-colored glasses…
By Not a blue blood
January 21, 2011 9:04 PM | Link to this
Well it does not make the DAI look good. The leadership team that seems to be a bit too sensitive. They are not exhibiting that trait here they said was lacking in the ex employee. I imagine the leadership teams boils down to one or two people who wanted to give him the boot. The way it ends saying they have taken steps to secure the art … ahh was he a threat to security? Low class, tossing a little mud on the guys reputation as he leaves out the door. Maybe they wanted to save some money. It will be interesting to see if they pay the next one what they paid the one they fired.
By Dena
January 21, 2011 9:15 PM | Link to this
Does the DAI get tax funds of any kind? If so, they need to be transparent. “The Hunt for the Email Leaker” should be a movie remake with Maxwell Smart and the gang from Control.
By Mel
January 21, 2011 9:23 PM | Link to this
I worked for the Chief at one of his other jobs. I agree with what some others have posted. He has integrity and is well respected, and I am confident that he has done nothing wrong. DAI will get absolutely nothing from me or my family, we’ll go to Cincy.
By Ask1
January 21, 2011 9:25 PM | Link to this
Did you know DAI spent more than $30,000 for a personal communication coach for the director ? The coach assisted her through meetings because she couldn’t communicate effectively with her staff. Why would you hire a director who was so lacking ? and then tax money to train her to communicate with her own employees ? Unbelievable. I understand most of the DAI hate the lady.
By cd
January 21, 2011 9:32 PM | Link to this
Let me see DAI need’s to add customer’s which mean’s more body’s thru there Museum for more income.Why would you bring in a new Security person who doesn’t know the plant.Sure look’s like a lawsuit just waiting to happen!
By Is the art safe?
January 21, 2011 11:33 PM | Link to this
The Board of Trustees need to look at what is going on, apparently something is going on at DAI. The last time I was at DAI I saw a huge hole in the ceiling, water stains & trash cans in the galleries. Is the art at really risk? I know what I’ve seen in prior articles, but I just don’t believe them.
By Position eliminated
January 22, 2011 1:02 AM | Link to this
In the 7 years I worked at DAI with Bob, I know for a fact that he dotted every “i” and crossed every “t”. There is no way he would have shared any info that he should not be sharing. I stand with Bob. He is the consumate professional, no matter what he does.
By Curious Creative
January 22, 2011 8:36 AM | Link to this
How can the museum have a Chief of Security who is simultaneously also the security chief for The Greene and police chief for Perry Twp. in Montgomery County?? Was his professional loyalty—and TIME—actually invested in the museum? That’s what seems odd to me.
By Position Eliminated
January 22, 2011 6:50 PM | Link to this
In response to Curious Creative, Bob is well known to be a workaholic, routinely working double shifts whenever needed. He also knew how to hire & train top-notch employees so that the work would be done to the same high standard as he does in his absence.
By Knows a bit
January 23, 2011 3:56 PM | Link to this
Bob Bowman’s position at DAI was part-time. Of course he had other sources of income. Bob is an incredibly intelligent gentleman and longtime resident who is also a whiz at staffing great people. He also inspires great loyalty in his personnel. His operations could run themselves but never think he doesn’t have old of the reins.
By Find Facts
January 23, 2011 7:50 PM | Link to this
So, it appears there is an issue at DAI. Has the person who wrote this story contacted the Board of Trustees to investigate these serious complaints??! If not, then get on it Terry Morris.
By Supporter of BB
January 24, 2011 10:13 AM | Link to this
10 Years ago, Mr. Bowman took the security department out of the stone ages and into the 21st century. His accomplishments have been outstanding and he should be commended. It’s going to be hard for DAI to bring in good exhibits and to make people feel safe then visiting (Octoberfest), when their security will be less than excellent.
By many many years
January 26, 2011 2:44 AM | Link to this
Management at DAI has suffered since Alex abandoned ship and sailed to Virgina. With him gone that Left Bob Bowman as the only manager at DAI that seemed to care for his employees. And to question his integrity shows that there is no longer any one pocessing that trait left at DAI./….what a shame guess I’ll be doing Carrilon park, the packard museum, boonshoft, cincinnati,african at wilberforce and on accasion columbus…my time and money will benefit something that benefits it’s day to day employees. And I’ll be waiting for the “KMH” to be placing the signature K outside the rotunda of what was once a great institution.
By Former Security
January 30, 2011 5:20 PM | Link to this
Bob Bowman is a model of professionalism.I saw first-hand his ability to work miracles with the limited resources he was given. The man knows how to eliminate overhead yet maintain quality services. Upper management at the DAI should have followed his example. If they had, that formerly wonderful museum wouldn’t be a sinking ship these days.