Meet Adam! Our Board of Directors President

We are thrilled that Adam Pawlick has been appointed Utica Children's Museum Board of Directors president! Adam has years of experience, and his leadership is crucial in helping us prepare for the new Utica Children's Museum opening this year.

Read on to learn more about Adam, his leadership, and his vision for the future. 

Tell us about yourself! 

Before leaving the area, I attended Whitesboro High School to participate in Salisbury Prep School in Connecticut. I went to Clarkson University for college and earned a bachelor's degree in Entrepreneurship and Innovation with a minor in Project Management. While at Clarkson, I played for the Men's Division 1 hockey team for four years. After graduating, I played three seasons of professional hockey for the Pensacola Ice Flyers in the Southern Professional Hockey League. Once the 2015-2016 hockey season concluded, I returned to Utica, NY, and joined the Comets' staff. I am happily married to my beautiful wife, Rachel, and we have two lovely children: a son named Asher (4 years old) and a daughter named Ava (2 years old). 

Tell us a little about your history with the Utica Children's Museum: 

I fondly remember visiting the former Children’s Museum at 311 Main Street during my childhood. I used to explore it with my siblings and friends for many years. I recently joined the museum board in November 2020 and was appointed as the Board President on January 31st, 2024.

What is your favorite part about being UCM Board President? 

Utica is experiencing growth, and I am thrilled to contribute to creating a family-friendly destination in the area. Being part of a team that brings a world-class destination for entertainment, learning, and fun to the community fills me with great pride. I eagerly look forward to the day when the museum doors open, filled with the happy faces of kids and families.

Tell us about your day job; how do you better the community outside of UCM? 

I am the Vice President of the Utica Comets, Utica City Football Club, and the Adirondack Bank Center. It's a great opportunity for me to work with a fantastic team providing a source of sports and entertainment for the community. We support various programs and community events by providing financial aid, and our staff, players, and coaches participate in these events.

What are some of the Board’s goals for the Children’s Museum? 

We are opening a brand-new state-of-the-art children's museum to provide a safe environment for children of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to learn, play, and grow.

What are three words to describe your personality?

Dedicated, Fun, and Caring.

What's your favorite memory from visiting a children's museum as a kid?

I recall fond memories of attending birthday parties and spending cold winter days exploring museums with my siblings and friends.

Which children’s book or story is your favorite?

Right now, it’s the Polar Express. My son is obsessed with it, and we read it almost every night before bed. 

What's the most important thing you hope children learn from their museum visits? 

I believe that children can learn something new every time they visit. They can always discover something new with various exhibits and programming, no matter how often they come. 

In your opinion, what is the most essential thing a children's museum can do to impact our community positively?

A children's museum can offer a safe, clean, and affordable option for kids of all ages to come and explore. Whether they visit once a year or once a week, having this option in the community can expose kids to new experiences they may not encounter daily. Allowing them to experiment and explore can positively impact their future and help shape their identity.

How can the community support the Utica Children's Museum? 

Follow along on our Facebook page or sign up for the newsletter! We are always finding new ways for the community to show support, from donating to volunteering to attending fun events. There are ways everyone can be involved and support the Utica Children's Museum.

Connect with Adam on LinkedIn