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Life and Work with Chevy Humphrey

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Chevy Humphrey.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started working at the Arizona Science Center in October 1998, starting as director of development and moving up the ladder to take over as CEO where I have held the position for 13 years.

But my first job was at Baskin Robbins. I was 12 years old at the time which was two years younger than the normally allowed hiring age, but I talked them into hiring me. On day two, I asked my boss how I could become a supervisor. She told me the steps I would need to take, I did every single one (with gusto!) Seven months later, I was the manager. That drive and passion never wavered through my career and my first non-profit job was at the Houston Symphony.

I believe I am where I am today because of my parents. Growing up in Houston, my parents prioritized education and sacrificed in order for me to be bussed 45 minutes outside of my neighborhood to go to a better school. When I came home each day, I would gather the kids in my neighborhood together in my garage and I would teach them everything that I learned. Even then, I realized that it was all about access and opportunity. I wanted my friends to be able to have an equal education and the same opportunity that I had, regardless of their position in life.

The birth of my goal to be a CEO at a nonprofit started at the Houston Symphony. Every day the CEO would pass by my desk and ask me what the projected weekend and financial and attendance numbers were. I was a numbers geek so I always knew exactly how we would perform. He would take those numbers into the board room and included them as part of his presentation. One day, I stopped him and said, “You keep asking me my thoughts on how we will do and you take them into the boardroom and report them out. If you are using my data and reporting it to the board, then I can do your job”, and he said without hesitation, “Yes, you can”. The rest, as they say, is history.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, it certainly has not been a smooth road. There are two points in my life that have stuck with me and quite honestly have been a driving factor in pushing through to where I am today. First, a teacher told me I was lazy because I asked a lot of questions which always baffled me. I was a naturally inquisitive kid and all I was trying to do is learn more and be a better student. If I allowed that teacher to influence me to stop asking questions, I know I wouldn’t be where I am today.

The second was early in my career when I was told I didn’t “look the part” for a promotion to a leadership position. I didn’t understand. I was confident, and I had the intellectual skills and expertise to advance. It could have been crushing for me to not move to the next step, but I didn’t let that bother me and I broke through that barrier. I decided that just because someone else doesn’t think I look the part, I think I look the part, and that is all that matters.

My advice to those starting their journey is not to believe that your appearance, your gender, your race or anything else will stop you from achieving your goals. It is your intellect, skills, and experience that matters. But if someone does try to tell you that you “don’t look the part,” let that fuel your passion even more and prove them wrong!

Please tell us about Arizona Science Center.
Our mission at Arizona Science Center is to inspire, educate and engage curious minds through science. That is truly what I do every day and I love it! When I walk in each day, even I am shocked at the expansive opportunities we provide for children, and adults, to immerse themselves in science. From our permanent installations, day-camps, adult after-hours events or featured exhibits, we always strive to keep the content fresh, engaging and relevant to what might be going on in the world.

If I were to say we specialize in one thing, I would say it is creating an experience that is memorable and accessible to everyone. Many adults stop me when they are bringing their kids to the Science Center and reminisce about their experience when they were younger coming to the Science Center and that is the greatest compliment! We pride ourselves on consistency and innovation to make sure the experiences continue to be top of mind.

I am proud of our team here as we have been able to bring some truly amazing exhibitions through our doors. From the Body Worlds exhibition toward the beginning of my tenure to the recent blockbuster POMPEII: THE EXHIBITION, we provide unique experiences to engage and inspire our community and all of that comes back to the strength of our employees who make it happen.

On a more personal level and what I think also sets us apart from other institutions is our commitment to informal STEM learning, both at the Science Center and out in our statewide communities. Over the last five or so years, we have expanded our reach to provide STEM learning opportunities for children, but also to provide professional development for educators through our Rural Communities Expansion program in partnership with APS. This program has allowed us to take our knowledge to the far corners of the state and that has impacted many who may not have had access to this level of learning.

Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
First and foremost, my mother was my first inspiration. She provided me with opportunities that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. She worked very hard to put me in certain schools and get me connected to groups that thought differently. This helped me to see there were possibilities out there for better opportunities. And ironically, my daughter is a huge inspiration to me now. Having raised her as a single parent and seeing her grow into a woman has been incredible. I see her in me, but I also see a better me in her.

My title at Arizona Science Center is the Hazel A. Hare President and CEO, and Hazel inspired me for years. She would tell me that the only person that can get in your own way is you, so get out of your own way and do whatever it is you are trying to accomplish. She was a true mentor and she taught me about the importance of a strong work ethic, about always doing the right thing no matter what and to never give up. That advice has always been in the back of my mind and has allowed me to persevere and break through many barriers. For that, I am eternally grateful.

Pricing:

  • General Admission to Science Center – Adults (18+): $18, Kids (3-17) $13, Kids 2 and under: Free
  • Featured Exhibition: A Mirror Maze, Numbers in Nature Adults (18+) $8.95 Child (3–17) $8.95 2 & Under Free

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Image Credit:
Credit Arizona Science Center

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