96 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM to have opened since the mid-20th century,” he proudly attests, “and it’s the model for the new version of science museums all around the world.” But for many, the Exploratorium connoted a favorite field trip destination: the bigger picture view wasn’t widely known. So, George hit the pavement—and gave tours of the construction site—to raise awareness. “We had to educate the philanthropic community about how important the place was,” he recalls. “I came here almost every weekend for five years to show people around.” Over the course of the momentous project, George became chairman of the board of trustees (20072018), while simultaneously leading Bain’s Global Technology Practice and partnering with Fannie to raise their three children. “My kids are the only kids in the Bay Area who would say, ‘We have to go to the Exploratorium again,’” he laughs. George credits numerous Silicon Valley entrepreneurs—including Arthur Rock, Bill Bowes (who preceded George as chairman) and the Exploratorium’s largest donor, Gordon Moore—with anchoring the project’s success. “The role of the Peninsula was super important,” he reflects. “The Exploratorium is one of the few institutions that’s physically located in San Francisco but has a lot of interest and deep ties to Silicon Valley.” In 2013, 16 years to the month after George joined the board, the new state-of-the-art facility—three times larger than the original— opened to visitors. At the dedication ceremony, George proclaimed to the packed crowd, “Everyone in the Bay Area loves the Exploratorium!” Looking back, he still breaks into a satisfied smile. “It was a fun time to be centrally involved in such an important, iconic institution,” he beams, “and I was doing something that I felt was really important.” AT THE EXPLORATORIUM WITH GEORGE Today, the Exploratorium touts 75,000 square feet of roaming space, with an ever-expanding collection of 650+ hands-on exhibits. As for “Don’t Touch” signs? That would be zero. The whole point of coming here is to push, pump, roll, spin, tinker, test, examine and play. Even as the Exploratorium continues to evolve, George keeps marking his own set of milestones. He remains actively involved, whether it’s with his now adult kids, as a partner at Bain or on the Exploratorium’s board of trustees, PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF GAYLE LAIRD - EXPLORATORIUM Curious George Cogan
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTcxMjMwNg==