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The following is a text-only press release from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). An HTML version of this release and a photo can be viewed on the agency's Web site at http://test.imls.gov/news/2010/081010.shtm. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 10, 2010 IMLS Press Contacts 202-653-4632 Jeannine Mjoseth, [log in to unmask] Mamie Bittner, [log in to unmask] IMLS Welcomes Justin Estoque as New Chief Operating Officer Washington, DC-The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) announces that Justin Estoque has joined its staff as chief operating officer. In this new position, Estoque will oversee the offices of finance, administration and contracting, human resources, and information technology (IT) and will serve as a member of IMLS's executive leadership team. He comes to IMLS from the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) where he served as the director of the executive planning office. "We are delighted to welcome Justin to our staff. He brings a powerful combination of talent and executive experience," said IMLS Acting Director Marsha L. Semmel. "This is a win-win opportunity: In addition to overseeing our key mission-support areas, Justin can enable IMLS to fine-tune its Native American grant programs for museums and libraries, and his IMLS experiences may help him advance NMAI's mission to preserve, study, and exhibit the life, languages, literature, history, and arts of Native Americans." Estoque is on a one-year detail from the NMAI. Since 2005, he has overseen the analysis and presentation of proposals for new exhibits and projects, including all major exhibits in New York and Washington, large collections loans, publications, public programs, IT and media master planning, landscape installations, and outreach initiatives to Native communities. He managed NMAI's safety program and directly supervised senior project managers who coordinate diverse project teams, technical and budget analysts, and support staff. He was directly responsible for a program budget of $16 million in federal funds and more than a dozen private funding sources. From 2002-2005, Estoque was senior project manager for the NMAI's mall transition team, a three-stage move-in of collections, exhibitions, and staff into the new building. He coordinated the work of 15 multi-departmental staff liaisons to all NMAI inaugural programs, developed and implemented management policies and procedures for all federal and private funding budgets and schedules in support of the museum opening, and ensured that contracting and procurement activity met Smithsonian procedures and policies. He represented NMAI during negotiations with the Smithsonian Institution Office of Engineering Design and Construction, Office of Protection Services, Office of the Treasurer, and Smithsonian Business Ventures. Having graduated with a master's degree in architecture, Estoque has managed major capital projects throughout the Smithsonian. He served as planning manager for the Smithsonian Office of Design and Construction, project manager for a $12 million security modernization program at the Office of Protection Services, and project manager for the National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, where he managed all financial resources and a project team of program and exhibit staff, architects, engineers, and contractors for construction of the new $311 million museum. Fluent in Spanish, Estoque has ample experience negotiating complex issues with diverse groups. He has worked with libraries and library resource centers in Washington and throughout the Native American world. He recently served on IMLS's National Leadership Grant review panel. About the Institute of Museum and Library Services The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about the Institute, please visit www.imls.gov.