(November 10, 2009) — The Ozark Natural Science Center has announced that Bethany Stephens will serve as the organization’s new executive director effective November 30. Stephens is currently executive vice president of the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, the largest chamber in Arkansas and one of just 50 nationwide to attain five star accreditation. She is responsible for economic development, sales, marketing and operations functions. Previous roles include executive director of the Rogers Convention & Visitors Bureau within the chamber from 2002 to 2006, and community partnership manager for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest
Arkansas from 1998 to 2002. Stephens is a graduate of the University of Arkansas and lives with her husband and daughter in historic downtown Rogers.
“We are excited to find someone with Beth’s experience and skills to continue to grow the Ozark Natural Science Center. She will bring a wealth of enthusiasm, community connections and business savvy to her new role. In addition to strong communication and marketing skills, Beth also has a deep passion for the natural environment and education. We look forward to a new chapter under
her leadership.”
Tomek Siwiec, vice president of the ONSC board of directors.
“I am extremely happy that Beth Stephens has accepted the offer to be the executive director of the Ozark Natural Science Center. I have known and respected Beth for a number of years and I am certain that she will do a tremendous job. I look forward to working with Beth in her new position.”
David Thrasher, ONSC board of directors.
The Ozark Natural Science Center is a private, non-profit field science education facility on the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission’s Bear Hollow Natural Area in rural Madison county between Eureka Springs and Huntsville. ONSC offers summer camps and adult and family programming, but is best known as the site of life-altering school excursions for nearly 4,000 public and private school students from Arkansas and beyond each year. The ONSC campus includes three lodges, guest and faculty housing, indoor and outdoor classrooms, an observation deck and nearly eight miles of maintained hiking trails. The facility is an ideal setting for private group programs such as corporate sustainability education or organizational planning retreats. ONSC employs a team of nineteen administrative, food service and maintenance staff as including field staff with backgrounds ranging from aquatic resources to zoology.
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