Kidspace Children's Museum Announces New Board President and Executive Director

PASADENA, CA--(Marketwire - January 22, 2008) - Kidspace Children's Museum, the premier children's museum in Southern California, today announced the appointment of a new president, executive director and vice president of development to guide the growth of the three-acre campus.

"We are pleased to announce such a strong and diverse group of people who will lend their expertise and skills in guiding the growth of this magnificent educational and recreational resource for Southern California," said Gregory D. Johnson, the new president of Kidspace Children's Museum. "Our selection of Tracy Bechtold as the new executive director fills a leadership gap and allows us to move forward aggressively with expansion efforts to elevate us as a world-class learning facility."

Johnson, who joined the board in 2006, is president of American Balanced Fund and senior vice president of Capital Research and Management Company. Reflecting his primary philanthropic interests in supporting early childhood education as well as preserving our national parks, Johnson also serves on the boards of Foothill Family Services and The Yosemite Fund. A native Californian, Johnson holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of California at Los Angeles, and a masters in business administration from Columbia University.

Bechtold, who was serving as interim executive director since June of 2007, was made permanent executive director and is tasked with overseeing the daily operations and programs of the museum, as well as future expansion plans.

"With the appointment of Craig Prizant as the new vice president for development, we have a complete leadership team and I look forward to implementing the vision for a world-class educational and recreational facility for children who will be able to have a one-of-a-kind experience here in Pasadena," Bechtold said. "We have exciting plans for significant expansion of the museum and plan to raise the capital to complete the proposed master plan for this exceptional campus."

Previously, Bechtold was principal and founder of The Opus Group, boutique public relations consulting practice providing strategic communications services for business-to-business and business-to-consumer corporations and institutions. Prior to that, she served as vice president at Burson-Marsteller, a global communications consultancy. She received her bachelor's of arts degrees in English and art history from the University of Arizona.

Prizant was most recently executive vice president for the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles where he oversaw a $50 million annual campaign for the organization and directed all marketing and fundraising. Prior to that, his career included senior positions at advertising firms Saatchi & Saatchi and Bozell, as well as Compucom Systems, Inc. where he was responsible for pitching and managing over $80 million in billings. Prizant received his bachelor's degrees in marketing and political science from the University of Southern California.

Located in Brookside Park, Pasadena, on three acres of gently sloping forested land, Kidspace was built within the three white wooden structures that formerly housed the Fannie Morrison Horticultural Center, constructed originally in 1938. The new Building 4 will host robotics, construction, engineering and health exhibits, plus a music and art studio, a multipurpose theater and an early childhood center.

Kidspace Children's Museum is open daily from 9:30a.m. - 5p.m. Tickets are $8 for children and adults (infants under 1 and Members are free). Kidspace is located at 480 N. Arroyo Blvd., in Brookside Park, Pasadena, Calif., just opposite the Rose Bowl. Kidspace Children's Museum is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that exists to enrich the lives of children. Kidspace is an interactive learning environment that is fun for children, families, educators, and caregivers. For further information, please visit our Web site: www.kidspacemuseum.org.

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