Arizona Science Center announced the expansion of its team to include Dean Briere, executive vice president, programs and operations.
In his new role, Briere oversees all programs and operations at Arizona Science Center, in addition to leading special projects. Briere will oversee the guest experience team, Irene P. Flinn IMAX theater, school and family programming, the Center’s portable learning laboratory Science on Wheels and the Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold Foundation Center for Leadership in Learning, Arizona Science Center’s teacher and educational leadership professional development and training arm.
“Dean is a valuable addition to the team,” said Chevy Humphrey, Arizona Science Center president and CEO. “His unique background and skillset will help Arizona Science Center form new partnerships and accelerate program growth, further solidifying our role as the state’s leader in informal education.”
Most recently the executive vice president and COO at Discovery Place in Charlotte, N.C., Briere comes to the Center with decades of experience in non-profit and science museum work. His business acumen is complemented by his love of science and background in chemistry. Briere’s passion for science museums began in 1977 when he began volunteering at the Springfield Museum of Science in Massachusetts. As a result, Briere earned a bachelor’s degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts and an MBA /Master of Science in Organizational Change and Leadership from Pfeiffer University in North Carolina.
Among other things, Briere has a proven track record in development and expansion of science centers. He oversaw the $31.6 million renovation and exhibition redevelopment at Discovery Place (N.C.), a multi-year project that touched every aspect of the museum. Briere’s significant achievements in North Carolina included driving forward the Museum’s strategic initiative of creating a separate venue for younger children so that Discovery Place could provide a stronger and clearer focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. His efforts were instrumental in opening two satellite campuses in neighboring communities. He has also been at the forefront of creating widely successful featured exhibitions, including “The Dead Sea Scrolls” and “A Day in Pompeii.”
Outside of the office, he is actively involved in professional associations, including the Association of Science-Technology Centers, the Giant Screen Cinema Association, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, and serves as a grant reviewer for the National Science Foundation.
