KANSAS CITY, MO – Today, the Kauffman Center Board of Directors named Paul J. Schofer as its President and CEO. Schofer served as vice president of operations and chief financial officer of the Kauffman Center since March 2012.

“I have said repeatedly that the Kauffman Center has an outstanding leadership team,” said Kauffman Center Chairman of the Board Julia Irene Kauffman. “This vote of overwhelming confidence in Paul by the entire board of directors is affirmation that the Kauffman Center is on the right path to continue its vision of bringing outstanding performing arts to our community.”

Schofer moved to Kauffman Center from Learfield Communications, where he served on its executive leadership team as senior vice president and chief financial officer. While at Learfield Communications, Schofer helped provide strategic direction and leadership for the organization’s primary business of providing multi-media marketing services to more than fifty of the nation’s top Division I athletic programs. Prior to his tenure at Learfield, Schofer worked at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, providing financial oversight for more than $2 billion in assets as its CFO from 2004 to 2007. Schofer is a Missouri native and received his undergraduate and Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Missouri, Columbia. In addition, Schofer has been deeply involved in the Kansas City area community, serving as vice president of the board for The Children’s Place, completing the Centurions Leadership Development program, and serving on the board of directors for Powell Gardens.

“In the past two years, Paul helped strengthen both the financial and the artistic foundation of the Kauffman Center,” said Jane Chu, outgoing president and CEO, who is leaving to become chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. “His varied background, strong financial sense, and passion for the performing arts make him the ideal choice to take the Kauffman Center to the next level.”

Schofer lives in the Kansas City area with his wife and two children, who attend schools in the Park Hill School District. His move from finance to the arts was based on his passion and his experience growing up. “I’ve seen firsthand how both the Kauffman family and the arts can transform our community,” Schofer said. “My vision is to uphold the values of the Kauffman family and build on the great work Kauffman Center has started. That means working with our resident companies – the Kansas City Symphony, the Kansas City Ballet, the Lyric Opera of Kansas City – as well as the many diverse and eclectic programs that grace our stages. We are in a strong position to sustain Kauffman Center’s vitality and its contributions to Kansas City for generations to come.”

Chairman Julia Irene Kauffman concluded, “Paul is the right choice to build on the success of the Kauffman Center’s presentation of outstanding performances, strong financial management and deep community engagement.”