Cox Science Center and Aquarium appoints new board members

The Cox Science Center and Aquarium has added seven new members to its board of directors.

The West Palm Beach center is currently in a multimillion-dollar capital campaign and its expansion is scheduled to be finished in 2026. It currently features more than 100 hands-on educational exhibits, a 10,000-gallon fresh and saltwater aquarium, digital planetarium, pre-K focused “Discovery Center,” 18-hole conservation-themed mini golf course and quarter-mile-long outdoor science trail.

“We have some of the most brilliant minds on our board who are counseling us through not only our expansion, but also exciting new events, programming and more,” said Kate Arrizza, president and CEO of CSCA in a prepared statement. “Their skills are empowering us to introduce science to all age groups and backgrounds in a way that’s warming up the seats for the next generation of leaders.”

Board Chairman Lew Crampton, a member of the Palm Beach Town Council, said: "We have added a whole new level of leadership to our current board, transforming the museum and family entertainment hub into what will soon become the thoroughly modern, top-class Cox Science Center and Aquarium, a cornerstone of STEM science education for all of South Florida."

The new board members are:

Palm Beach resident James "Chip" DiPaula Jr. is the co-president of digital commerce for the UK-based B2B data analyst Ascential, where he guides strategy for industry-leading businesses. He serves on the boards of numerous companies and organizations, including the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, where he chairs the philanthropy committee. Additionally, DiPaula is a founding board member of Journey to Lead, a nonprofit dedicated to accelerating the diversity and trajectory of women in leadership.

Katharine Eyre served as an ultra-high-net worth financial adviser at Credit Suisse, specializing in alternative investments. The Palm Beach resident has extensive experience in nonprofit development including capital campaign management for the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Duke University. Her nonprofit volunteer experience includes chairing the Penn Medicine Philadelphia Antiques Show and the Academy of Music Ball and Concert, and serving on committees for the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Garden Club of Philadelphia, the Acorn Club and Bryn Mawr Church of the Redeemer.

Sarah Kudisch is the general manager of The Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens. Kudisch brings more than 20 years of experience working in the shopping center and real estate development industries. She serves as a member and past executive vice president of the Junior League of the Palm Beaches.

Langdon Neal is the managing partner and owner of Neal & Leroy LLC. His practice concentrates in real estate, zoning, land use, and public and private finance, employment and labor law. In both 2018 and 2019, he was named one of Illinois’ Leading Lawyers in several practice areas. In addition to his impact in Illinois, he is influential in South Florida’s philanthropic efforts as a part-time Palm Beach resident.

Sandy Rogers founded and leads FranklinCovey’s global customer loyalty practice. The Palm Beach resident is a trustee of Palm Beach Atlantic University, and serves on the vestry and leads the Master Planning Committee for Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. He received his bachelor of arts in political science from Duke University and master's degree in business administration from Harvard Business School.

Brian Simmons is the co-founder of Shorehill Capital LLC and serves as managing partner, with more than 30 years of experience managing private equity funds that target investments in small and mid-sized industrial companies. He is actively involved in all aspects of Shorehill’s business, including investment origination, investment management and fundraising. A Palm Beach resident, he is a trustee of the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach and sits on various boards in Chicago and the Northeast region.

Tara Vecellio is the face of a porcelain startup where she will debut her first dinnerware collection. She has been a buyer and manager in the tabletop industry and attended design school in Florence, Italy, and Paris. She has philanthropically supported other local nonprofits in Palm Beach County.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Cox Science Center and Aquarium appoints seven to board of directors