Leadership

Mike Norman has served as Chief Executive Officer at Kentucky Science Center since 2020. As CEO, Norman leads all KSC activities, including exhibits, educational programs, partnerships, and digital theater films, while ensuring all programs fulfil the mission of encouraging people of all ages to Do Science in engaging, educational and entertaining ways, inspiring a lifetime of learning. Under Norman’s direction KSC strives towards the successful achievement of the goals aligned in Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead, KSC’s Board approved three-year strategic plan.

Building on the positive momentum and successes of KSC, Norman’s primary focus on growing Kentucky Science Center’s visibility and sustainability – locally, regionally, and nationally – as a premier Science Center. He reinforces Kentucky Science Center as an asset for life-long learning for people from various backgrounds, experiences and understanding throughout the region. This effort includes nurturing partnerships to expand opportunities for learners of all ages and expanding the organization’s presence as an institution supporting and inspiring the workforce development pipeline that benefits all communities across the Kentucky and Indiana region for generations to come.

Norman has been with Kentucky Science Center since 2011, serving as the Chief Operating Officer before his elevation to CEO. As COO, he was the second highest ranking position in the organization, and was responsible for operationalizing strategy and tactical direction, overseeing overall operations and internal processes, budget development and program supervision and nurturing a performance culture among a group of diverse, talented individuals.

During his time with Kentucky Science Center, the organization has grown to serving more than 325,000 annually, impacting all 120 Kentucky counties and 93% of Indiana counties. Under his leadership, KSC achieved financial stability and sustainability with growth of $2 million in operating budget primarily through earned income initiatives. This included using rigid data analytics to identify process improvements that continue to provide efficiencies across key business areas, including education programming, signature events, facilities, theater, finance, technology, and human resources. Norman was responsible for the conversion of the theater into a state-of-the-art digital facility, and the development of several beloved exhibits such as Be in a Bubble and the Water Table.

Prior to joining Kentucky Science Center, Norman spent 11 years as Chief Audit Executive for Louisville Metro Government. In this role, he led the Office of Internal Audit in the performance of operational, internal controls, pre-implementation systems review, computer access and security, performance, and fraud reviews. During his tenure, he successfully reinvented the department by instilling a vision of a performance-based culture that embraced continuous improvement and client satisfaction, and instituted new teams and systems with a priority on individual and team development to optimize productivity and professionalism. This included an emphasis on all staff maintaining at least one professional designation, continuing education, and support of advanced degree work. He also developed an award-winning website that provided internal and external customers easier access to relevant information.

Norman is a native Louisvillian holding a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Louisville. He is a proud graduate of the Jefferson County Public School system. Norman is married to a registered nurse, and they have two sons, both of whom are students at the University of Louisville. He is active in several civic and religious organizations, and likes to spend spare time bicycling, hiking, playing golf, and watching U of L athletics. Norman is a proud member of the 2021 class of Leadership Kentucky.

Contact Information:

502-560-7174
Michael.Norman@louisvilleky.gov

As the Chief of Education, Mellisa Blankenship provides visionary leadership in the development of Kentucky Science Center programs and experiences. She’s also responsible for cultivating innovative and collaborative partnerships–locally, regionally, and nationally.

Mellisa is a scientist herself, holding a BA in Biology from Indiana University Southeast. After numerous years at the Science Center, she feels most proud to have fostered some incredibly engaging and rewarding partnerships all over the state–community partners who share our passions for engaging, entertaining, and enriching the lives of children. These relationships have given her a profound appreciation for all that our community has to offer, and for Kentucky’s welcoming, giving nature.

When she’s not Doing Science, Mellisa spends her free time exploring the outdoors with her two young sons. They love to imagine that they’re on a wild adventure uncovering a lost city or finding an elusive creature. Her boys keep her imagination active, and their curiosity drives her to create new and exciting programs that her sons would love.

Contact Information:

502-560-7164
Mellisa.Blankenship@louisvilleky.gov

As the Chief Guest Relations Officer, Toph Bryant oversees all support activities at Kentucky Science Center, including Volunteers, Admissions, Retail, Theater, Exhibits, Operations, Security and Events.

Toph has over twenty years of leadership experience in independent flagship retail in New York City and New Orleans. He has served on the executive board of the Louisville Independent Business Alliance and is passionate to promote all the unique qualities of this fantastic city. Toph has been honored to serve as the chair for the Visitor Services Community of Practice for the Association of Science – Technology Centers and to serve on ASTC’s Leading Edge Awards committee. He loves to talk about how to Be Great. The service philosophy crafted for Kentucky Science Center.

When Toph isn’t Doing Science, he is somewhere taking photographs of trees.
Toph is a curiosity mentor, ontological thinker, and nemophilist who is easily distracted by shiny things and inspired by literature, poetry and art.

Contact Information:

502-560-7148
Toph.Bryant@louisvilleky.gov

As Chief Philanthropy Officer, Meredith provides strategic direction and visionary leadership of Kentucky Science Center’s philanthropic efforts and stakeholder cultivation and retention activities. As part of the Executive Leadership team, she leads a culture of philanthropy and helps further connect KSC’s mission-based initiatives with community leaders, stakeholders, and members.

Meredith is a long-time supporter of Kentucky Science Center, serving nine years as a member of KSC’s Board of Directors, followed by six years as Audit Chair for the Board’s Finance Committee. In addition to Meredith’s passion and commitment for KSC, she joins our team with an extensive background in philanthropy, financial services, and education.

Prior to joining the team at Kentucky Science Center, Meredith worked closely with local philanthropic leaders through her role as Director of the Tocqueville Society at Metro United Way. Throughout her time in the financial advisory business, she worked with both corporations and individuals in meeting their financial objectives. She began her career in the educational arena, earning a Masters in Secondary Education while working under Federal programs and in middle school classrooms teaching.

Meredith has a long history of giving back to our community as an active participant and board member in philanthropic and healthcare organizations beyond KSC, including Jewish Hospital Healthcare Services Inc., Frazier and Neuroscience Rehabilitation Hospital, the Jewish Hospital Foundation, Louisville Forum, Women 4 Women, and was a founding member of the Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence.

When not Doing Science, Meredith enjoys cooking, gardening, traveling, and all things Golden Retriever. Her son lives in Denver and she often visits the Mile High City.

Contact Information:

502-560-7152
Meredith.Loeb@louisvilleky.gov

As the Director of Finance and Administration, Becky is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and directing the overall administrative functions necessary for the proper and efficient operation of the Kentucky Science Center. This includes leadership of the finance and human resources functions of the Science Center.

Prior to joining KSC, Becky spent a decade working in public accounting as an external auditor, serving publicly traded and privately held companies, as well as many not-for-profit organizations (including the Kentucky Science Center!)

Becky is a graduate of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and holds an active Certified Public Accountant license. When she’s not Doing Science, Becky enjoys hanging out with her husband and two children, volunteering at her church, and following Ohio State football.

Contact Information:

502-560-7136
Becky.Baird@louisvilleky.gov

As the Director of Exhibits, Starr Peters works with the Operations department to maintain and improve all of the interactive exhibits both in and out of the building. Starr manages travel for the Science in Play2Go exhibit as it journeys to libraries around the state, and works with both internal and external partners to develop and implement new exhibits and experiences for Science Center guests.

 Starr holds a BA in Theatre Arts and Drama from Washington State University. She worked as a Stage Manager and Technical Director and dabbled in light, sound, and costume design before discovering the behind the scenes world of the Kentucky Science Center in 2010.

 When she’s not Doing Science, Starr is frequently at a circus gym working on juggling and partner acrobatics to trick herself into exercising. She also spends time playing in as many museums, science centers, and parks as she can get to.

Contact Information:

502-560-7140
Starr.Peters@louisvilleky.gov

As the Director of Visitor Experience, Mira is responsible for heading up enthusiastic Visitor Experience team who oversee programming both in the building and out, around the state and region. This also includes building amazing partnerships and collaborative experiences for all our visitors.
Mira holds a BS in Biology from Centre College and MS from University of Louisville. She has been a part of the education team at the Kentucky Science Center for 9 years. Prior to Science Center, Mira did environmental education at the Cary Institute in New York.
When she’s not Doing Science, Mira enjoys spending time with family in both Western Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky, trying out new recipes, traveling to new places and exploring the outdoors.

Contact Information:

502-560-7126
Mira.Gentry-Johnson@louisvilleky.gov