INDIANOLA – After a seven-month search, the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center has a new executive director. Dion Brown, 46, comes to Indianola from Wichita, Kansas where he was the Chief Operating Officer at Exploration Place, a hands-on science and children’s museum which draws over 180,000 visitors a year.
Brown’s five-year experience at the Wichita museum included all aspects of its operations including business-related and revenue generating areas, as well as exhibitions, membership, catering, event sales and services and corporate sponsorship. Brown managed a staff of 42 employees.
Brown, 46, was hired to replace Chicago-native Connie Gibbons, who’d been with the museum since it opened in 2008.
Brown grew up in Decatur, Illinois and retired from the Air Force in 2002 after serving 21 years.
“I’m looking forward to working with the excellent team at the B.B. King Museum,” said Brown. “It’s an incredible museum and it has a remarkable reputation, and I hope to help lead it to even greater successes. I am equally looking forward to learning the rich history of the Delta and working alongside the people in this community.”
Bill McPherson, president of the board of directors of the B.B. King Museum, said, “We are pleased to have Dion Brown as our new executive director. His experience and professionalism and leadership abilities will help take our museum into a strong future.”
Brown holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resources and a Masters of Science degree in Leadership from Southwestern College.
In Wichita, Brown was recently appointed to the Sedgwick County Task Force Oversight Committee for the Homeless, a member of Real Men, Inc. which mentors to at-risk children. He is an active member of his local church serving on the Methodist Men Ministry and the Media ministry.
Brown is married to the former Darla D. Williams of Wichita, and they have three children.
The B.B. King Museum attracts thousands of visitors each year, including many from all over the world. Its state-of-the-art exhibits and films have drawn praise and received national awards.
The museum opened in September 2008.
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