Children's Museum of Northern Virginia Celebrates Board Expansion this Holiday Season.

High-Tech Entrepreneur Joins Effort to Bring Resource to Area Families

OAKTON, Va. -- The Children's Museum of Northern Virginia (CMNOVA) is celebrating this holiday season, due to the addition of Eric Adolphe to its Board of Directors. Mr. Adolphe was the founder and CEO of OPTIMUS Corporation, an information management firm specializing in public safety, homeland security, and information technology solutions. After retiring from the company, Mr. Adolphe, who is active in a number of non-profit organizations and Boards, decided to become involved in bringing a Children's Museum to Northern Virginia.

"We are thrilled to have Eric on our Board," stated Brenda Hyde, Chairman of the Board and Publisher of FAMILY Magazine. "He brings new energy, enthusiasm, and tremendous resources to our effort. His reputation in the business community and his experience working with other non-profit organizations will serve our efforts well. Christmas has come early to the Children's Museum of Northern Virginia."

Mr. Adolphe has been recognized for his contributions in the high-technology arena, as evidenced by his many awards. Through his leadership, OPTIMUS was named as winner of the 2003 National Capital Business Ethics Award. Other notable honors include the National Society of Black Engineers' 2006 "High Tech Innovators and Humanitarian Award;" the 2002 Maryland High-Tech Council's "Entrepreneur of the Year Award;" and NASA's 2001 "Certificate of Achievement for an Innovation that Significantly Advances Aerospace Technology."

In addition, Mr. Adolphe was included as one of 11 inventors in the "Women & Minority Innovators" exhibit at the National Inventors Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio - where he was recognized for the invention of a technology that significantly enhanced Space Shuttle safety and mission assurance; and for a safety system for the Federal Aviation Administration that enabled pilots to maintain contact with the control tower. He also was featured in a recent PBS documentary, "Voices of Vision."

"It has long been my passion to help convey a sense of excitement in young children about math, science, and engineering based careers. The health of our economy and national security needs more young people choosing these fields," said Adolphe.

The focus of the museum is science and technology, which is a natural addition to the thriving tech community in Northern Virginia. The museum is currently operating as a museum without walls and offering hands-on activities to area families through community events and venues. In keeping with recent building and technological advances, the museum will be a highly energy efficient and environmentally friendly or "green" building.

CMNOVA hopes to meet the needs of metro area families of diverse cultures through a partnership with schools, businesses and the community with a plan for innovative outreach. A children's museum is an important community resource that can be found in virtually every other area of the country with similar demographics. CMNOVA is currently working with area legislators and businesses to establish a place where children of all abilities, families and friends can explore unique exhibits, learn new skills, celebrate special occasions, all in a setting completely unlike anything else in Northern Virginia. Northern Virginia's exploding population and love of culture provide the ideal backdrop for a children's museum. While there are a number of activities for families in the area, there is tremendous support for a resource that focuses on learning in a diverse community.

The museum will be possible in part due to the support of partner organizations, such as the Junior League of Northern Virginia (JLNV). The JLNV has generously agreed to provide $250,000 in financial support and 500 volunteer hours to the museum, as part of its five year commitment to the effort. The museum hopes to have a home that is open to the public by early 2008. The child-centered mission of CMNOVA and the primary focus of the JLNV to "prepare children for success" allow the organizations to work seamlessly together in creating a wondrous environment for the area's children.

About CMNOVA

CMNOVA is a non-profit organization with a mission to serve as an interactive exploration and science center that engages children and their families in partnership with schools, businesses and our community. Information about the museum may found at www.cmnova.org.