BENTONVILLE, ARK.- Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art announced that Rod Bigelow will join its senior management team as deputy director, operations and administration, effective October 1. Bigelow has most recently served as interim executive director since October 2009 and chief operating officer since January 2008 for the Toledo Museum of Art in Ohio.

"We are delighted to welcome Rod to Crystal Bridges," said Don Bacigalupi, the Museum's executive director. "I had the privilege of working with Rod in Toledo and am well acquainted with his talent, dedication and work ethic. He will be an invaluable addition to our team."

"I am honored to join the staff at Crystal Bridges and be part of such a significant undertaking in northwest Arkansas," Bigelow said. "My family and I look forward to making this community our home."

Bigelow brings more than 14 years of financial and executive management experience to his new position. As chief operating officer at the Toledo Museum of Art, he implemented a federal grant program to increase funding for museum projects, initiated collaboration with local nonprofit organizations to create a community-based garden, and coordinated planning and pre-construction activities for a new contemporary gallery space.

From 2005-2008, Bigelow served as director of administrative and financial services at The Art Institute of Seattle, where he oversaw the financial aid, accounting and facilities departments, as well as all retail activities of the college.

Bigelow also spent eight years with the Tacoma Art Museum in Washington, serving as chief financial officer from 1997-2005 and interim executive director from July 2004 to April 2005. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash.