New director named to lead Wardenclyffe restoration and STEM expansion

Kara Cannon was named executive director of the Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe in Shoreham, a leadership change announced Jan. 6 that places her at the center of efforts to restore Nikola Tesla’s historic laboratory site and broaden its public mission. The organization said Cannon will lead rebuilding work after a 2023 fire, oversee the launch of the new Eugene Sayan Visitor Center, and expand STEM-focused educational programming for the region.

The appointment signals an acceleration of the site’s transition from damaged landmark to community-facing institution. Wardenclyffe, long valued by local historians and science enthusiasts, suffered fire damage in 2023 that left restoration, safety, and fundraising at the top of the agenda. Cannon arrives with decades of executive leadership experience, most recently as CEO of Enzo Biochem, and will be responsible for coordinating reconstruction, public outreach, and educational initiatives designed to engage Suffolk County students and visitors.

For Shoreham and the broader North Shore, the project carries both cultural and economic implications. Completion of the Eugene Sayan Visitor Center and renewed programming could increase tourism, create volunteer and part-time opportunities, and add new classroom and after-school options for local schools seeking hands-on STEM curriculum. The center’s ambitions also place it in the center of local planning and permitting processes; reconstruction of a fire-damaged historic site will require clear timelines, coordination with municipal regulators, and sustained fundraising.

Cannon’s leadership will be judged on practical measures that matter to neighbors and taxpayers: how quickly the site is secured and rebuilt, how funds are raised and spent, and whether the center delivers measurable educational benefits for Suffolk County youth. The organization’s board and leadership face near-term tasks that include finalizing construction plans, navigating insurance and permit reviews, and detailing a public schedule for the visitor center rollout and upcoming programs.

Community engagement will shape the project’s path. Shoreham residents and town officials will have a stake in safety, traffic, and programming decisions as the site reopens to the public. Civic oversight and transparent reporting of budgets, timelines, and educational outcomes will be critical to maintaining public trust and ensuring that the center’s revival benefits local schools and small businesses.

The takeaway? Keep an eye on the Tesla Science Center’s public filings and meeting notices, ask for clear milestones on rebuilding and program launches, and consider volunteering or attending hearings to shape how this historic North Shore site serves Suffolk County students and neighbors. Our two cents? Demand transparency early so the restoration becomes a community asset, not an open-ended project.