Science Center of Iowa Announces Interim President/CEO

Art Wittmack to Temporarily Fill Leadership Position

For Immediate Release — Thursday, June 16, 2011

DES MOINES – June 16, 2011 – The Science Center of Iowa Board of Directors has secured

Des Moines business and community leader Art Wittmack as the organization’s interim President/CEO. Wittmack will work closely with outgoing President/CEO Dr. Paul Jennings in the coming months to transition responsibilities. Dr. Jennings’ last day is scheduled to be August 15, 2011. In the meantime, the board of directors will continue its search for a permanent leader.

 “It’s my goal during this interim period to help the Science Center of Iowa continue the positive momentum it is experiencing, and if possible, accelerate it,” says Wittmack. “It’s important to keep moving ahead while the board concentrates on finding the right person to be the president/CEO.”

The Science Center of Iowa’s Board of Directors approached Wittmack for the position, citing a need for someone with proven leadership skills, who is familiar with the organization and cares deeply about its success. Wittmack, served as a Science Center of Iowa board member from 1998 to 2007, and as board chair from 2005 to 2007.

“Art Wittmack will be an exceptional interim leader,” says Science Center of Iowa Board Chairman David Mackaman. “He and his family have been actively involved with the Science Center for many years. Art has a keen understanding of our mission to promote science learning. We’re fortunate that he has agreed to lead the organization during this transition.”

The Science Center of Iowa Board of Directors is working with a national search firm to assist with finding a new president/CEO who can build on the organization’s recent successes, including securing the blockbuster exhibit Body Worlds Vital, which is shaping up to be one of the Science Center’s most popular offerings ever.   

Wittmack, who served as the honorary co-chair of the 2010 Annual Fundraising Event & Auction along with wife, Sue, says the Science Center of Iowa is the intersection for his passion for education and interests in science, exploration and life-long learning. Wittmack’s family also has had a long relationship with the Science Center of Iowa. His sister, Muffy Harmon, was a member of the Junior League Committee in which the idea of creating a “Museum of Science and Industry” in Des Moines had its genesis. His father, Charles Wittmack, was the organization’s first treasurer, and his son Charlie and daughter Ellen both attended the SCI Preschool.

Wittmack is an Iowa native who graduated from Roosevelt High School in Des Moines and Iowa State University before receiving a commission in the United States Navy during the Vietnam era. Following active duty, he worked for the U.S. Secretary of Labor during the Nixon administration and later the Portland Cement Association in Chicago. While in Chicago he pursued his MBA at Northwestern’s Kellogg School.

He returned to Des Moines in 1976 when he joined Neumann Brothers as a project engineer. During his 35-year career with Neumann, Wittmack held many roles, including chief financial officer, director, president/CEO and chairman. He is currently a director. 

Wittmack also has served on many state and local business, cultural and civic boards. He is vice chairman and trustee of Des Moines University, is a member of the Greater Des Moines Partnership board, treasurer of the Business Education Alliance and a director of Economy Forms Corporation.

For inquiries and interview coordination, please contact SCI Board Member Todd Senne at 515-974-4700.

About the Science Center of Iowa & Blank IMAX Dome Theater

The Science Center of Iowa is a 110,000-sq. ft facility devoted to lifelong learning, featuring dynamic experience platforms and daily interactive demonstrations with SCI staff for visitors to explore and experiment.  By placing the power of learning in the hands of the visitor, the programmatic emphasis is not on "what" to learn, but "how" to learn.  SCI also features the 175-seat John Deere Adventure Theater for live performances, the 50-foot domed Star Theater for planetarium shows and the 216-seat Blank IMAX Dome Theater for engaging films.  SCI’s Iowa Learning Center cultivates ties to formal education through educational resources for educators and students, the NAEYC-accredited SCI Preschool, as well as a statewide outreach program.