Executive VP of Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce takes command of Ozark Natural Science Center

Enhancing the understanding, appreciation and stewardship of the Ozark natural environment.

Press Release
For immediate release: November 10, 2009

Ozark Natural Science Center Announces Executive Director
Begin: 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 fifty 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, nonprofit 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 19 administrative, food service and maintenance staff as including field-staff with backgrounds ranging from aquatic resources to zoology.

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Contacts: David Thrasher – Thrasher Investments/ONSC Board (479.273.5333 or thrasherinvest@thrasherfinancial.com)

Tomek Siwiec – Arvest Bank/ONSC Board (479.986.3796 or tsiwiec@arvest.com)

Bethany Stephens – ONSC Executive Director (479.633.7619 or beth@onsc.us)

Ozark Natural Science Center

479.789.2754 • www.ONSC.us