COSI Names New Vice President of Advancement
For Immediate Release:
Kelli Gaza Nowinsky, COSI PR Manager, 614-629-3114, knowinsky@mail.cosi.org
(Columbus) January 9, 2008 - COSI is pleased to announce it has selected Deb Hackathorn as the new Vice President of Advancement. She will oversee COSI’s Marketing, Development and Government Relations functions. Ms. Hackathorn began her position on December 10, 2007.
Ms. Hackathorn has a wealth of experience from the public sector having served as Chief of Staff in the Ohio Auditor of State’s office where she was responsible for managing all administrative and outreach functions including communications, finance, legislative affairs, community relations, and human resources. She most recently served as the Director of Special Projects for the Auditor of State with responsibility for internal and external training and conferences.
David Chesebrough, COSI President & CEO said the carefully executed search turned out the best possible candidate for COSI. “Deb's extensive and impressive skills and experience transfer well to COSI as we continue to expand our positive impact and role in central Ohio and beyond,” said Chesebrough.
Prior to working in the Auditor’s office, Ms. Hackathorn managed government relations as the Policy Director for the Ohio Attorney General’s office where she also served as a member of the executive management team in the office. Ms. Hackathorn’s background also includes working as an independent lobbyist with the firm of Thomas C. Green & Associates where she represented clients primarily on environmental, public utility, and health care interests.
“This is an exciting time of change and growth at COSI as the organization anticipates our community’s future needs,” said Ms. Hackathorn. I am honored to serve as an advocate for the innovative partnerships and educational initiatives COSI is developing to enhance our services to the community while preserving the classic elements of COSI that we have all grown to love and expect."
Ms. Hackathorn earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Dayton and holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Toledo. She has served as a member of the board of trustees of the Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation and the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education. Ms. Hackathorn is originally from Toledo and lives in Upper Arlington with her husband Jon.
Ms. Hackathorn replaces Tina Guegold, who left COSI in 2007 to take a position with Nationwide Realty Investors.
COSI features over 100,000 square feet of exhibit space dedicated to hands-on science featured through seven unique exhibition areas. COSI also features a 7-story giant screen theater, the only high wire unicycle in the U.S., a restaurant and retail shop. For more information go to www.cosi.org.
