After 13 years at the helm of Mid-America Science Museum, Diane LaFollette has announced her retirement.
LaFollette joined the museum in 2013, leading it through a period of growth and expansion. Among the expansions was the creation of the Hall of Wonder, the satellite attraction Mystic Ozark and the recent accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums for the first time in its 47-year history.
“AAM accreditation is the highest national recognition available to museums in the United States and places Mid-America Science Museum among approximately 1,100 accredited museums nationwide,” a news release said.
She will remain as the museum’s CEO until Oct. 2, and the museum’s board of directors will begin a search for her successor.
“In many ways, earning accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums felt like the culmination of the work we have done together over the last 13 years,” LaFollette said in the release.
“It affirmed the strength of the museum and the dedication of the people behind it, and it also felt like the right moment to pass the torch to new leadership. I am deeply grateful to our staff, our board of directors, and the people of Hot Springs for their support of both me and the museum throughout my time here,” she said.
In 2016, the museum earned the National Medal for Museum and Library Service from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, making it the first museum in the state to have the honor. While under her leadership, the museum saw increases in earned revenue, contributed revenue and attendance while expanding educational programming and STEM outreach across the region.
“Diane has led Mid-America Science Museum through a transformative period in its history,” Suzanne Steed, the chair of the museum’s board of directors, said in the release. “Her commitment to science education, community engagement, and the long-term sustainability of the museum has had a lasting impact on this institution and the region it serves. On behalf of the board, I want to thank her for her leadership and dedication over the last 13 years.”
Steed said in a text message Tuesday afternoon that the museum’s board had started the process of hiring LaFollette’s successor.
“The Board has formed a CEO Search Task Force and is in the final stages of approving the engagement of an executive search firm to assist with the search,” she said.
The seven-member group consists of current board members as well as a former board chair and two representatives from the community.
Steed and Karen Wolstenholme, the board’s vice chair, will be co-leads of the task force. Current board members Crystal Bohannan and John Stetkar will be joined by former board chair Paul Swepston as well as Arkansas Rep. Les Warren, R-84, and Garland County Judge Darryl Mahoney.
“The Museum plans to partner with a nationally recognized executive search firm with significant experience in museum and nonprofit leadership searches,” Steed said. “The firm will assist with candidate outreach, recruitment, advertising, screening, and the overall search process. The search will be conducted both regionally and nationally to attract a strong and diverse pool of candidates.”
The goal, Steed said, is to have the new CEO in place before LaFollette’s retirement on Oct. 2.
“We are fortunate that Diane provided substantial notice, which allows us time to conduct a thoughtful and thorough search while also providing an opportunity for a smooth leadership transition,” she said. “We are grateful for Diane’s outstanding leadership over the past 13 years and are excited about the opportunity to identify the Museum’s next leader and continue building on its success.”
The museum, which is located at 500 Mid America Blvd., was founded in 1979 and welcomes visitors from across the state and region.