Kim Talarico of Eugene has replaced Jill Gregg as executive director of the Childrens Museum of Eastern Oregon in Pendleton.

With a baby on the way, Gregg is stepping down from the role after four years at the museum.

Talarico said she plans on drawing inspiration from her own one-year-old child for her new job, which requires planning hands-on, age-appropriate exhibits and activities.

Im super excited to watch her through the developmental stages just as I?am to watch these kiddos learn and engage, Talarico said.

The recent mother came to Pendleton after several years of work in rural community development. She participated in University of Oregons Resource Assistance for Rural Environments program in Umatilla and helped renovate the Rufus Community Center in Rufus. She also created a program development plan at Springfield Museum that emphasized catering to different groups.

In 2012, she completed graduate work in community and regional planning at the University of Oregon.

Talarico said her family was drawn to Pendleton because of her reservist husbands monthly visits with the Oregon National Guard.

We knew we liked it here so we decided to make it our permanent home, she said.

CMEO, located at 400 S. Main Street, is a non-profit organization founded in 1996 that provides educational exploration and development through interactive exhibits and play.

Contact Natalie Wheeler at nwheeler@eastoregonian.com or 541-564-4536.