Portsmouth, NH – The Board of Directors for The Children’s Museum of Portsmouth has elected officers for the 2008-2009 fiscal year and welcomed three new board members.

Board officers for this year are Dan Mulkern of Vigilant Capital Management – Chair; Jack Buckley of Dover Housing Authority – Vice Chair; Mike Kenison of McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton – Secretary; and Patricia Ross of Measured Progress – Treasurer.

Joining the Children’s Museum board are Donald Hatt, President & CEO of Federal Savings Bank; Tim Guen, Senior Brand Manager at Irving Oil; and Nicole Spaur, Senior Counsel for Sprague Energy Corp.

“We are fortunate to have individuals of such high caliber and diverse backgrounds joining our board at this critical time in the museum’s history,” said Dan Mulkern, chair of the Children’s Museum Board of Directors. “As the museum prepares for its expansion and move to Dover later this year, board members are playing key roles in fundraising and communications. These three new directors bring talents and expertise that will support the transition of the current museum to the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire.”

Don Hatt has more than 30 years’ experience in the financial services sector. Prior to taking his current position as President and CEO of Federal Savings Bank, Hatt served as COO at both Laconia Savings Bank and Northway Financial. He holds bachelors and masters degrees from Thomas College.

Hatt stated, “Federal Savings Bank has taken a leadership role in the Children’s Museum Capital Campaign. Our view is the Children’s Museum will become an even more significant regional educational and cultural resource given the expanded programs that will be offered in its new home here in Dover.”

Prior to his appointment as Senior Brand Manager for Iving Oil, Tim Guen worked with major national brands such as Coca Cola, Kraft/Nabisco and Ford Motor Company. A graduate of Bowdoin College, Tim began his career with positions at Proctor & Gamble and M&M/MARS. He later joined online retailer ShopLink.com and served as Senior Vice President/Business Development for Gang & Gang, a national consulting and market research firm.

“Personally, I believe the ritual of parents and children having an enriching experience together lasts well beyond the day they visit the museum,” explained Guen. “I remember my parents taking me to children’s museums years ago, and the ‘passing of the baton’ from generation to generation provides an emotional connection that defines who we are.”

As Senior Counsel at Sprague Energy, Nicole Spaur was the recipient of the 2006 Presidents Award. Prior to joining Sprague, Nicole was an attorney in private practice. She received her law degree from Valparaiso University School of Law. Nicole is an active community volunteer and has given her time to Make-A-Wish Foundation of NH, ALS Association/Northern New England, Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce, and Rotary Club of Concord, among others.

“The Children’s Museum has provided important interactive learning opportunities for children and families for nearly 25 years, and I am excited to join the efforts to continue this important New Hampshire tradition through the expansion and relocation of the museum to Dover,” said Spaur.

The Children’s Museum of Portsmouth will close on Memorial Day (May 26) and re-open as The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire in Dover in Summer 2008 with triple the exhibit, performance and classroom space, enhanced amenities, fully accessible resources and new exhibits to complement old favorites that have informed and entertained the 1.3 million visitors the Children’s Museum has welcomed since its founding 24 years ago. The museum is the most-visited cultural attraction in the state, welcoming 97,000 visitors a year. Museum funding comes from admissions and from corporate partners, members, individual donors and foundations who support the museum's mission and accomplishments. These resources provide the solid financial footing that also allows the Museum to reach out to the under-served throughout the region. Winner of the Governor’s Award for Cultural Access Leadership, the “Museum To You” program has brought free, interactive exhibits to 13 of New Hampshire’s most under-served communities.

For more information, call (603) 436-3853 or visit the museum online at www.childrens-museum.org.