It seems to me this thread has concentrated on just two possibilities
for the best person/type to lead a non-profit museum ie: the
professional v. the business type.   There are good and poor features
in both types but I would not make a choice one way or the other on
that criteria.  To me success in running a non-profit OR a for profit
operation is the knowledge and practice of MANAGING.  To appoint a
Director or President who does not know how to manage an undertaking
(note I don't call it a business) is a sure sign that things will go
very wrong.  Regardless of how professionally qualified a person might
be, if he or she does not know how to plan, to organize a staff, to
motivate people, to delegate, to direct group effort and to live with
schedules and budgets, don't expect these essential activities to
happen on their own.  

On a positive note, it is possible for a person to learn these
talents.  Courses on people skills and management are available in
community colleges and in universities and even in correspondence
courses.  And the interesting thing is that knowing these skills can
lead to success in either non-profits or in business.  
That's my 2 cents for the night.

John Bing   

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