[Mansfield, Ohio] – Nov. 24th, 2025 – The Board of Directors of the Buckeye Imagination Museum is pleased to announce the appointment of Justin Ross as the museum’s new Executive Director.
Justin joins the museum with a proven record of leadership in stakeholder engagement, event management, sponsorship development, and community partnership. His experience ranges from coordinating national-scale youth and family events to building consensus among diverse partners in government and business.
Most recently, Justin worked with Allegheny Science and Technology, helping to unite union groups, city officials, and local businesses around a federal energy initiative. Previously, as a Director with Spartan Race, he led the expansion of the company’s youth events division, delivering significant growth in both participation and sponsorship while creating energetic, family-centered experiences that reached tens of thousands of attendees.
“Justin brings a strong mix of operational expertise, creative energy, and community focus,” said Barrett Thomas, Chair of the Buckeye Imagination Museum Board of Directors. “He understands how to grow programs that inspire children and families, and he shares our deep commitment to making the museum a place of imagination, learning, and joy for the entire region.”
As a native of Ashland, Ohio Justin describes the role as a rare opportunity to serve close to home while advancing a mission that celebrates play and discovery. He looks forward to working with staff, volunteers, and community partners to continue expanding the museum’s impact across North Central Ohio.
The Buckeye Imagination Museum Board invites the community to join in welcoming Justin Ross and to stay tuned for opportunities to meet him and learn about his vision for the museum’s future.
About Buckeye Imagination Museum:
The Buckeye Imagination Museum is a premier children's museum located in Mansfield, Ohio, dedicated to fostering creativity, learning, and play in young people and their families. We strive to inspire a lifelong love of discovery and imagination through engaging, hands-on exhibits and programs that connect children to the world around them. Our exhibits are designed to empower individuals, advance early education, and strengthen family bonds across North Central Ohio and beyond. For more information about the museum, visit buckeyeimaginationmuseum.org