Saint Louis Science Center Leadership

Executive Team

Douglas King
President and Chief Executive Officer
King leads a team of 280 staff members and 250 volunteers whose mission is to stimulate interest in and understanding of science and technology throughout the community. The Science Center serves more than 1.2 million people each year, making it the fourth largest in the country. It has built a national reputation for program and exhibit quality, community partnerships to serve teens and families, community-based programming, visitor service, exhibit maintenance and sound financial management. It is also a partner in many local, regional and national initiatives to build better and stronger links between formal and informal educational opportunities, including the development of the Taylor Community Science Resource Center and collaboration with the St. Louis Public Schools to operate the Compton-Drew Investigative Learning Center Middle School.

Prior to assuming his present duties in 1995, King served for five years as President of Challenger Center for Space Science Education headquartered in Washington, D.C. Founded by the families of the Challenger crew, the Center has established educational facilities in 50 cities across North America and England, including St. Louis.

Before becoming involved in education, King spent nearly 20 years in the electronics industry. He served as a vice president of the American Electronics Association and president of the Association of Technology Business Councils. He was a founding board member of Technology Gateway, the 250-company technology alliance that has assumed a major role in the St. Louis business community.

King serves on the boards of the Academy of Science of St. Louis and Forest Park Forever, chairs the Forest Park South Neighborhood Group, and was appointed by the Mayor to the Forest Park Advisory Board. He served as chairman of the NASA Education Advisory Committee and a member of the NASA Advisory Council. He is also on the Board of the Giant Screen Theater Association, past president of the Association of Science Museum Directors, served on the Board of the Association of Science/Technology Centers, and was a member of the Congressional Web-based Education Commission.

A native of Fresno, California, King received his BS degree in engineering from Stanford University and his MBA in finance from the University of Washington.

Carol J. Valenta
Senior Vice President and Associate Museum Director
Carol J. Valenta is responsible for education, research and evaluation, exhibit design, science and galleries and public programs. She directs strategic planning for education, leads the relationships with school districts and community agencies, is responsible for interactive science exhibits and represents the Science Center on local and national boards.

Before joining the Science Center in 1996, Valenta served as the director of education at the California Museum of Science and Industry. While in this position, she developed and received funding for a number of major initiatives that received national attention. Valenta served as site director for the Career Access Program, and director of "Project Endeavor," a multi-million dollar NASA project designed to engage minority communities in accessing science.

Prior to her work at CMSI, Valenta served as an elementary school principal in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Her work brought a host of enriched science experiences, including a student developed and managed science museum and building-block workroom for the 800+ students. During her tenure, Valenta developed several models for multicultural education, and was recognized for innovative educational programs, community involvement, and bilingual education initiatives.

In addition, Valenta is recognized as a leader in science education and has made contributions as a consultant, keynote speaker, teacher trainer, and author. For Harcourt Brace, Inc., Valenta is a lead author, especially in the areas of physics, chemistry, and mathematics, for Harcourt Science, 2000 and 2001, and Science Anytime!, 1995.

Brad Nuccio
Senior Vice President

Brad Nuccio leads the Museum Enterprises Division of the Science Center, which encompases all business-related and revenue-generating areas, including the OMNIMAX® Theater, the James S. McDonnell Planetarium, the ExploreStore, the Science Center's Build-A-Bear/Build-A-Dino store, blockbuster exhibitions, membership, food services, catering, event sales/service, marketing, special events, group sales and corporate sponsorship. He directs a staff of 75 along with the efforts of a nationally recognized advertising agency, a public relations group and a lobbying firm. Nuccio also represents the Science Center in an advisory capacity to local and national organizations, including serving on the advisory committee of Talent Plus Green.

Before joining the Science Center, Nuccio was Vice President of Marketing & Communications for Clear Channel Entertainment, where he developed and implemented marketing programs for fine art, science and other family entertainment properties in 20 U.S. states and several foreign countries. During his tenure at Clear Channel, Nuccio's exhibitions and events attracted more than 18 million people worldwide.

Nuccio has worked for several other Fortune 500 companies, including SFX Entertainment, Ticketmaster and Ogden Allied Entertainment. In director positions with the Great Western Forum, home of the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers and the NHL's Los Angeles Kings, as well as with the Phoenix Suns, he developed skills in multi-party promotions, advertising strategy, public relations, sponsorship, event and group sales, ticketing and special events production.

Nuccio holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business with a minor in Music Performance from the University of Northern Colorado and a Master of Business Administration degree from Washington University in St. Louis.

Marti Cortez
Senior Vice President

Marti Cortez leads the Visitor Experience and Human Resources Divisions of the Saint Louis Science Center. In her role, she is responsible for the experience of more than one million guests a year who visit the center. Cortez directs more than 100 visitor-facing professionals in Human Resources, Guest Services, Reservations, Building Services, Security and more than 250 dedicated volunteers.

Cortez has been charged with directing and implementing employee development and performance strategies that will align with the institution's mission and brand promise. She represents the Science Center in the community through her work with various organizations and serves on the board of the Missouri State Lottery Commission. She is the recipient of a 2009 Inclusive Leadership Award, presented by the St. Louis Business Journal.

Prior to joining the Science Center, she was Vice President, Consumer Market Manager for Bank of America in the St. Louis region where she served on the leadership team, driving service and sales results at 36 banking centers with 750 employees. There, she used structured coaching with banking center leaders to deliver on the brand promise of "Higher Standards."

Prior to her work at the bank, Cortez spent 16 years at Maritz Inc. in various divisions including international business, brand marketing, public relations, large-scale event planning, market research, performance incentives and communications. During this time, she worked with Fortune 500 companies to drive powerful results through their employees, channel partners and customers.

Cortez holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing Management from Webster University and is fluent in Spanish.

Diane Miller
Senior Vice President

Diane Miller is the Senior Vice President of School and Community Programs and Partnerships at the Saint Louis Science Center. Her overall responsibilities include initiating, developing, coordinating, and implementing METS programs and collaborative projects with schools community-based organizations, underserved audiences, interns, and youth. Working with schools and community-based organizations, she is responsible to develop strategies that increase the involvement of underserved audiences.

Miller was the project director and program developer for two YouthALIVE! grants, one for the California Science Center (formerly the California Museum of Science and Industry) and one for the Saint Louis Science Center. She was a member of the YouthALIVE! steering committee and responsible for co-planning and co-facilitating national network meeting. A main focus of her job is the development of a comprehensive curriculum that nurtures interest in science, technology, engineering and math.

Miller holds a BA in English from the California State University at Chico and is currently pursuing a Masters in Museum Studies at the University of Missouri - St Louis.

G. Patrick Williams
Vice President, Development

G. Patrick Williams is responsible for development activities at the Saint Louis Science Center. Williams has more than 28 years of professional experience in the fund development/advancement field. His experience includes positions as Finance/Fund Raising Director with the Boy Scouts of America, Vice President and Senior Consultant with Metaplex Corporation, Vice President and Senior Consultant with F.G.A. & Associates, Inc., Vice President of Public Information, Development, Marketing/Communications and Operations for MCOSS, CEO of the MCOSS Foundation, Vice President of Institutional Advancement for Lourdes College and President/CEO of the Lourdes College Foundation, Vice Chancellor for University Relations for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and Chief Executive Officer for the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Foundation.

As an Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive (ACFRE), Mr. Williams has extensive knowledge in all areas and disciplines of development/advancement. His experience and education has created special expertise in the areas of strategic planning, policy formulation, board and staff recruitment, development and team building efforts, deferred giving, capital and major gift programs, governmental relations, economic development programs, and constituent relations programs.

Williams holds a B.A. from Kings College in Wilkes Barre, PA and a Master of Science degree in Health and Human Service Administration with a concentration in Gerontological Services from College Misericordia in Dallas, PA.

Thomas M. Jaskiewicz
CFO and Vice President, Finance & Information Systems

Thomas M. Jaskiewicz has been with the Saint Louis Science Center since 1983 and currently serves as CFO/Vice President of Finance and Information Systems. In this role he supervises all aspects of the Financial and Information Systems Administrator functions.

Jaskiewicz heads the Science Center's Finance and Audit committee and is responsible for the preparation of the annual audited financial statements and the annual operating budget. He also oversees the Science Center's compliance with AICPA standards and all related laws and the financial integrity of all applicable commitments.

Jaskiewicz holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Relations, an Accounting degree and a Masters degree in Management Science all from Saint Louis University.

Management Team

Gregg Maryniak - Vice President, Aerospace Science & Director, James S. McDonnell Planetarium

Deborah Washington - Vice President, Human Resources

John G. Wharton - Vice President, Strategic Initiatives & Facilities

Al Wiman - Vice President, Public Understanding of Science

Board of Commissioners

Board of Trustees