HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – Five years from now, where will the U.S. Space and Rocket Center be?  Paul Finley posed that question to Dr. Deborah Barnhart, CEO, in this portion of Leadership Perspectives.

“We will have a world quality institution for life,” said Dr. Barnhart. “We are a Smithsonian affiliate, and it’s our job to tell the story of our region and the innovation and the place of invention that Huntsville is. My job is to make sure it’s strong, financially stable, and continues to tell that story well into the generations.”

Finley also asks Barnhart what she wishes people knew about her job.

She said she wishes people could feel the joy she feels knowing the center has the power to change lives.

“They change their vision of who they can be in the future, and what they can accomplish in the technical field,” said Dr. Barnhart.

The U.S. Space and Rocket Center is open 363 days a year.  There’s a new inspirational exhibition coming this fall.  Da Vinci: The Genius will be there from November 2, 2013 through March 2, 2014.

“[It’s] a traveling exhibition from Europe. It talks about his aeronautical accomplishments, his military inventions, anatomical drawings and medical advances,” said Barnhart.  “There are also two theatre galleries – one about Mona Lisa and one about The Last Supper.”