DENVER MUSEUM OF NATURE & SCIENCE ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO
George W. Sparks—Aeronautical Engineer, Businessman, Education Leader and U.S. Air Force Academy Graduate—Becomes the Museum’s New President and CEO
DENVER—October 12, 2004—Today, the Board of Trustees of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science announced the appointment of George W. Sparks as the Museum’s seventh President and CEO, effective November 15.
Robert Thomson, chairman of the Board of Trustees for the nearly 104-year-old Museum, said that Sparks, a former Hewlett-Packard executive and Boulder, Colo., resident, was the Board’s unanimous choice after an intensive national search.
Thomson said, “George Sparks has the ideal combination of skills and experience to lead the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. He has a solid scientific background and a deep appreciation of the natural sciences at the heart of our mission. At the same time, he has an extraordinary technical and business background that will be critical to the Museum’s future.
“George has been very active in supporting education and lifelong learning in Colorado and is a member of several business groups focused on the economic well-being of our Denver metro region and the state of Colorado,” said Thomson. “Most of all, George is a consensus builder and team manager who appreciates this Museum’s role as one of the hearthstones and gathering places for the community at large. I am confident Museum staff, scientists, donors, volunteers and the many other important stakeholders of this institution will appreciate his enthusiasm and obvious dedication to this critical leadership position.”
Sparks has worked closely with Denver Public Schools and has served as a board member for many Colorado organizations, including University of Colorado at Boulder’s President’s Leadership Class, Colorado MESA Industry Advisory Board, Colorado Forum, the Public Education and Business Coalition, Colorado Leadership Alliance, Colorado Bright Beginnings, and the Watershed School in Boulder. He also serves on Mayor John Hickenlooper’s Early Childhood Education Leadership Team.
Sparks, 56, received a Master’s in Aeronautics and Astronautics from MIT, and a Bachelor’s in Aeronautical Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy. Early in his career, he served as an Air Force pilot and was an Assistant Professor of Aeronautics at the USAF Academy. From 1979 to 1999 he worked for Hewlett-Packard, eventually becoming General Manager of several divisions. From 1999 to 2003, he served as a Vice President for Agilent Technologies, a spin-off from Hewlett-Packard. He most recently was a partner at NorthStone Group, a management consulting company in Louisville, Colo.
“I am deeply honored to be chosen to lead the premier scientific and educational museum in the West,” said Sparks. “The Denver Museum of Nature & Science uniquely combines my passions for education, science and the non-profit sector. Like most of you, I can vividly remember my first visit to the Museum, 35 years ago. Today the Museum continues to bring the awe and wonder of the natural world and beyond to our guests and students through the efforts of our world-class scientists, Museum staff, Board of Trustees, and our 1,600 volunteers. I am very excited about working with our team to make the Museum’s future as bright as its past.”
Thomson said, “Trustee Mary Pat Link, the Museum’s executive search committee and the executive search firm DHR International Inc. did a great job in bringing a number of well-qualified candidates from across the nation to the Board for consideration, and ultimately discovering the perfect candidate in our own backyard. The search was professional, well-organized and successful beyond our best hopes.” Thomson also expressed the Board’s deep appreciation to Board member Thomas Swanson for his spectacular performance as interim CEO and President of the Museum during the seven-month search process.
Background on the Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Founded in December 1900, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science has grown to become the fifth largest natural history museum in the United States and the largest natural history museum in the western United States, housing more than 775,000 objects. It is located in Denver’s City Park, with spectacular views of Denver and the Rocky Mountains. Its facilities and the incredible range of research conducted by Museum scientists continue to make this institution a vibrant work in progress.
The Museum’s mission is to promote the study, understanding, and enjoyment of the universe, nature, science and human cultures. It offers diverse exhibits and programs that help visitors understand how science affects their lives. The Museum is currently hosting the exhibition The Quest for Immortality: Treasures of Ancient Egypt, and is home to popular permanent exhibitions, such as Prehistoric Journey and the Coors Gem and Mineral Hall. The Museum also provides the Denver community with IMAX films, high-tech planetarium shows, educational programs and groundbreaking scientific research projects.
In 2003, 1,255,600 people experienced Museum exhibitions and programs, including 1,036,800 on-site visitors and 218,800 educational outreach program attendees. The Museum has more than 42,000 membership households.
Testimonials:
“George Sparks has shown great leadership and clearly has a passion to give back to the community. At the same time, he has the experience of effective management that allows him to maximize his efforts. His broad experience in such areas as technology, early childhood education, aerospace and software will be extremely beneficial. The Museum and the city are lucky to have him.” —John Hickenlooper, Mayor of Denver
“The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is a treasured place where science, natural history objects and people come together. George Sparks is a scientist who has turned his analytical skills into leadership skills. He has a profound interest in the natural world, and he has a natural way with people. This is a winning combination that bodes well for the future of the Museum.”—Dr. Kirk Johnson, Chief Curator, Denver Museum of Nature & Science
“George’s involvement in the community’s education initiatives, his passion for science, and sound business experience will be an asset to the Museum. I’m excited about the strengths George will bring to the CEO position, and I look forward to working with him on school-based science goals.”—Jerry Wartgow, Superintendent, Denver Public Schools
“George is widely regarded as a competent business leader, fund-raiser and scholar. We expect him to capitalize on the Museum’s many strengths, enhance its entrepreneurial opportunities and build on its tradition of excellence. He will serve as an outstanding spokesperson on the essential role of culture, museums, technology and science education in our lives.”—Cort Dietler, Trustee Emeritus, Denver Museum of Nature & Science
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