[December 10, 2014]

Discovery Cube Los Angeles Board of Directors Elects Its First-ever Officers

In its first meeting since the hands-on science museum opened to great fanfare last month, the Board of Directors of the Discovery Cube Los Angeles (DCLA) has elected its first-ever officers to lead the 2.5-acre campus at the Hansen Dam Recreation Area in the San Fernando Valley. The announcement was made by Joe Adams (News - Alert), CEO of the nonprofit Discovery Science Foundation (DSF).

Pedram Salimpour, M.D., MPH, president of the Los Angeles County Medical Association, was elected board chairman; the Honorable Wendy Greuel was voted vice-chairwoman; Tim McCallion, president of the Western Region of Verizon (News - Alert), becomes treasurer; and Coto Foundation President Melanie Coto will serve as secretary.

The managing director and principal of Plymouth Health, LLC and co-founder of CareNex Health Services, Salimpour is a highly publicized physician, scientist and researcher specializing in pediatric medicine and child development. As chairman, he will leverage this pediatric expertise to lead DSF's ongoing commitment to encouraging science-based education in Southern California.

"Since much of my career has been dedicated to kids, I am delighted to help expand DCLA's mission to inspire and educate young minds through science-based programs and exhibits - both in the Valley and beyond," said Salimpour. "Research has proven that DCLA's highly interactive approach is helping children learn in and out of the classroom, and it's an honor to be able to bring a new level of hands-on discovery to more families throughout Southern California."

Associated with the DCLA project from the beginning, Greuel previously served on the Los Angeles City Council and as Los Angeles City Controller for five years. The lifelong Angeleno will help ensure that DCLA programs and services meet the needs of L.A., and specifically, San Fernando Valley residents.

As Verizon's Western regional president, McCallion works closely with community and business organizations including the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, California Foundation on the Environment and the Economy, California Chamber of Commerce and Asian Americans Advancing Justice.

Similarly, Coto's work as founder of the Coto Foundation puts her in close proximity to various community groups, including those advocating education for underprivileged students, environmental protection and the conservation of the L.A. County natural trail system. A recognized professional Spanish interpreter, she will help strengthen DCLA's ties to L.A's Hispanic community.

"The Discovery Cube Los Angeles Board of Directors has an extraordinary opportunity to impact L.A.'s next generation of practitioners and leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics," said DCLA Executive Director Kafi D. Blumenfield. "We are pleased to add the talent of these respected leaders to our Board. Our four new officers have the local experience, wisdom and connections necessary to help turn our long-term vision for Southern California into reality."

In addition to Adams, the other seven DCLA board members are Kelly Cheeseman, COO of AEG Sports; Bruce Corwin, chairman of Metropolitan Theatres; Sukeshi "Casey" O'Neal, president, Kokoro Exhibits; The Honorable Alex Padilla, California State Senate; Miguel Santana, city administrative officer for the City of Los Angeles; Kathy Banuelos, counsel, Legal Government Affairs of NBC Universal (News - Alert) and Tony Sciarrino, SVP Market Executive, Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Discovery Cube Los Angeles, a sister campus of the popular Discovery Cube Orange County in Santa Ana, Calif., offers a world-class collection of technically advanced exhibits, displays, programs and learning spaces unique to Los Angeles and inspired by the 16-year success of the original, Santa Ana, Calif., museum. Highlights of the two-story building in the Lake View Terrace neighborhood range from a simulated helicopter flyover of California's natural resources to a planetary research station, interactive park science exhibits and immersive grocery story experience.

About Discovery Science Foundation:

The Discovery Science Foundation serves as the program-development, marketing and fundraising arm for hands-on science learning museums in Orange (News - Alert) County and Los Angeles. Established in 1989, the original non-profit Discovery Science Center (DSC) in Santa Ana, now renamed Discovery Cube Orange County, continues to inspire and educate millions of young minds through engaging science based programs and exhibits. In 2012, the Center was named one of the ten "Most Trusted Brands" in Orange County and in 2013 was awarded the National Medal of Service from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

In November 2014, Discovery Cube Los Angeles, offering an exhibit and program mix unique to Los Angeles, opened in the Hansen Dam Recreational Area of the San Fernando Valley.

For more information, visit www.discoverycube.org. For media information, contact DSF Manager of Communications Dan Nasitka, at (714) 913-5018 or [email protected].

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