SACRAMENTO, CA. – Catherine Moulton has spent much of her professional career managing and advising on a variety of intricate design and construction projects, working for high profile companies like Walt Disney, Apple and NASA.

Moulton’s latest endeavor will be to help shape one of the region’s most engaging projects – the Powerhouse Science Center. Moulton will volunteer her services, joining Michele Wong and Warren Smith as chair people for the Powerhouse Science Center, a premier science learning center that will serve Northern California.

“I am inspired by all the talented, dedicated people who are collaborating to make the Powerhouse Science Center an outstanding educational facility. The Center will certainly be a tremendous asset for the entire Sacramento region,” Moulton said. “I look forward to helping transform this historic Sacramento landmark (PG&E Power Station B) into a cutting-edge educational center.”

The Center will cost an estimated $50 million and will become the new home for the 60-year old Discovery Museum Science & Space Center, which is currently located at 3615 Auburn Blvd. Residing on the scenic banks of the Sacramento River, the Powerhouse Science Center will function as a model for 21st-century experiential STEM education and environmental stewardship.

The complex will feature exhibits, a digital theater, planetarium, restaurant, merchandise shop, labs, classrooms and open park space. It will be utilized as a field trip destination for pre-kindergarten to 12th grade students from throughout the region.

A Sacramento resident, Moulton joins the Powerhouse effort at an ideal time. The Center is in the design phase for the facility and exhibits, and is scheduled to begin breaking ground this fall. The new facility, targeting completion in 2013, will create more than 300 jobs and help invigorate Sacramento’s riverfront area and open the space for more public usage.

Moulton has built a track record of leading multi-disciplinary teams to successfully complete large, complex projects. She has managed over $500 million in capital projects for Fortune 500 companies, government agencies and nonprofit clients.

During her nine years with Walt Disney Imagineering, Moulton led construction, show and ride installation, and testing for the first Tower of Terror attraction – constructed in a record-breaking 15 months. She also served as Senior Project Manager for Dinoland in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Dinoland is a 13-acre development containing a fossil preparation lab, themed exhibits, an outdoor theater, restaurants, a thrill ride, themed merchandise and an interactive playground.

Working as a consultant for NASA, Moulton led early concepts for a new visitor experience for NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. She also worked with a nonprofit community development group to create the initial concept for Naples Botanical Garden in Florida.

Moulton also played a major role in opening the first Apple store in the U.S. while working for the Apple Retail team.

“We are extremely excited to have Catherine chairing the design and construction efforts of the Powerhouse Science Center. Her involvement further solidifies that it will be a world-class facility,” Smith said. “Catherine brings an incredible background in turning ideas into high quality, functioning facilities and operations. We are at an exciting time with the building phase of the project about to begin. What makes it even more exciting is knowing that we have someone of Catherine’s caliber helping to lead our efforts.”

The Powerhouse Science Center has many key supporters, including Congresswoman Doris Matsui, Mayor Kevin Johnson, State Senator Darrell Steinberg, Assembly member Roger Dickinson, Sacramento City Council member Angelique Ashby, and numerous Sacramento-area businesses and organizations who have become Powerhouse Partners.

"Having someone with Catherine’s capabilities is very exciting news. Her contributions in both design and construction will allow Warren and me to focus on completing our fundraising efforts,” Wong said. “Catherine has an amazing background, and her experience with Disney, etc. will lend a great deal of credibility to the Powerhouse Science Center, and ensure that the project is high quality and will deliver great visitor experiences.”

Moulton has a bachelor’s degree in Construction Management from the University of Florida and has been certified as a general contractor with the State of Florida.

She is married to Richard Rich, the Development Director for Thomas Enterprises, Inc.

For more information on the Powerhouse Science Center, including how to become a Founding Partner, visit www.powerhousesciencecenter.org, email info@PowerhouseScienceCenter.org, or call 916 853-0343. Visit the Center on Twitter, Facebook and Flickr.

Editor's Note: Click here to view images of PG&E Power Station B, where the new Powerhouse Science Center will be constructed.