Science museum hires chief of staff
In early February, Kippen de Alba Chu will begin work as chief of staff to Fort Worth Museum of Science and History President Van A. Romans.
De Alba Chu is currently executive director of Iolani Palace in Honolulu and current chairman of the American Alliance of Mu-seums board of directors.
In his new position, he will oversee all aspects of daily opera-tions, the announcement said.
De Alba Chu is a nationally recognized museum professional and has extensive leadership experience in executive nonprofit and public affairs. He and his family will move to Fort Worth soon.
“I’m very pleased to have someone of Kippen’s caliber join our team at this time,” Romans said in the Jan. 15 announcement. “We worked together for nearly a decade on the AAM board. He is well regarded and deeply respected by his peers, and I think his dynamic leadership ability will be an asset not only to our museum but to our community, as well.”
“Having the chance to work with Van Romans and his team is by far the most exciting aspect of this opportunity,” said de Alba Chu. “In the museum field, colleagues describe Van as a vision-ary and have deep respect for him and his creativity.”
He said the Fort Worth museum “epitomizes Van’s imagination and prescience of how great museums have a long-lasting and positive impact on people, especially children.”
De Alba Chu, who speaks five languages, is a graduate of the American University of Paris and studied in Italy at Urbino and the University of Bologna.
He was chief of staff for Hawaii State Rep. Bertha Kawakami for nearly 15 years before becoming executive director of Iolani Pal-ace, where he led the iconic landmark through its accreditation process and a capital campaign to fund its restoration and preservation. Iolani Palace, built in 1882, was the home of the last king of Hawaii and is the only official royal residence in the United States. It is a National Historic Landmark.
– FWBP Staff