SCIENCE CENTER ANNOUNCES SEAMLESS LEADERSHIP TRANSITION
Kate Arrizza promoted to CEO while Lew Crampton maintains role as SFSCA president
(WEST PALM BEACH) The Board of Trustees of the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium has promoted Kate Arrizza to CEO, according to Matt Lorentzen, chairman of the SFSCA board. Lew Crampton will maintain his leadership role as president of the West Palm Beach venue.
“Kate’s promotion to CEO and Lew’s continued participation as president will make this a seamless transition,” said Lorentzen. “The Science Center is poised for even more great things under their continued leadership and we remain grateful for their dedication and commitment to our success.”
Crampton was sworn in last month as the newest Palm Beach Town Council member. While he served on several government boards and committees during his tenure at the SFSCA, he says he expects his time commitment to public service will increase in his unpaid position on the Town Council.
“The Science Center has come a long way, but our best years are still ahead of us,” Crampton said. “Kate has proven herself as a visionary and a leader. All of the pieces are in place, and I am completely confident our Science Center team will continue to lead the way in providing mind-blowing science experiences for this community in the months and years to come.”
Crampton started his time at the SFSCA in 2010 as interim CEO. Under his direction, the Science Center has undergone a remarkable transformation — raising $15 million in five years to double the size of its facility to 42,000 square feet; and tripling its operating revenue, attendance and programming, according to Lorentzen.
Crampton’s right hand during each of those milestones and fiscal/programming successes has been Arrizza, who started her connection with the Science Center as a volunteer in the late 1990s. A Naval Academy graduate and former U.S. Navy officer who specialized in education and training, Arrizza holds a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University.
As Science Center COO, she was responsible for all budgeting, scheduling and grant review, with a focus on staff development and program implementation. Her work at the Science Center has earned her such recognition and awards as South Florida Business Journal’s “40 Under 40,” Sun Sentinel’s Top Workplace Professional Award, ATHENA award finalist and Women in Leadership Award Finalist. In her new CEO role, Arrizza will take part in all strategic initiatives and work with major donors – continuing to elevate the profile of the Science Center locally, regionally and nationally.
“Growing up in Palm Beach County, the Science Center changed my life as early as I can remember,” said Arrizza. “Having the chance to directly impact other children as I was impacted gives me goosebumps. I feel exceedingly fortunate to be doing my dream job and serving my community even more in this new role.”
The South Florida Science Center and Aquarium is located at 4801 Dreher Trail North in West Palm Beach and is open Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. The indoor/outdoor venue features more than 100 hands-on educational exhibits, a 10,000-gallon fresh and salt water aquarium, a digital planetarium, conservation research station, Florida exhibit hall, Pre-K focused “Discovery Center,” an interactive Everglades exhibit and the 18-hole Conservation Course – an outdoor putting course with science-focused education stations. For more information, call 561-832-1988 or visit www.sfsciencecenter.org. Like the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium on Facebook and follow them on Twitter and Instagram @SFScienceCenter.
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