The advancement of Oceanside Museum of Art under Pahl’s leadership includes the dramatic growth of the facility. He led the $6 million capital campaign to expand the museum, culminating in a soaring addition designed by internationally known modernist architect Fredrick Fisher. During his tenure he increased the size of the exhibition schedule and the permanent collection, strengthened the mission of the museum and instituted significant public programs.

Under his leadership the museum was awarded two $300,000 three-year grants from the James Irvine Foundation in recognition and support of OMA’s innovative programming. This was a very difficult and competitive process that involved approximately 4 months of work. He led a Capital Campaign to pay-off OMA’s construction debt raising a total of $750,000 during one of the worst recessions in the nation’s history and managed the museum through a period of economic turmoil successfully avoiding staff lay-offs or cutting core programming. During this difficult period the museum audience has significantly broadened, deepened, and diversified.

Pahl has been the driving force behind the museum developing new programs such as the Culinary Cinema Series that pairs food themed films with gourmet cuisine served in the museum, designing and curating exhibitions, fundraising, and maintaining a financially stable institution. He is a very hands-on Director that has created a family like environment where volunteers and visitors are welcome to visit his office anytime with greetings and ideas.

A California native, Pahl was born in Orange, California. He began his museum career in 1973 as the first Director of the Rex Wignall Museum-Gallery at Chaffey Community College. In 1980 Pahl was named the Assistant Director at the Museum of International Folk Art, a unit of the Museum of New Mexico in Santa Fe, New Mexico. There he helped with the design development, construction and opening of the Alexander Girard Wing. Because of his success in this position he was invited to serve as the Deputy Director of Public Programs and Education at the Museum of New Mexico.

Returning to California in 1987, Pahl assumed the Directorship of the struggling San Diego Children’s Museum and in five years time brought the institution through substantial growth while retiring its long term debt and placing the institution on a sound financial footing. In 1992 he accepted the position of Associate Director of Mingei International Museum and played a key role in having that museum selected as principal tenant in Balboa Park’s House of Charm. Pahl joined the Oceanside Museum of Art as Executive Director and its first paid staff member in November of 1997 just as the Board completed the renovation of the Gill Building and opened the museum on a full time basis.

“The museum is in a great place for transition” states Pahl who leaves his successor with 4 full time employees, 4 part time employees, a $700,000 annual operating budget and a stunning new building full of potential. Since the Fredrick Fisher Central Pavilion opened in March 2008 the museum has seen a tremendous growth in programming adding a Jazz Concert Series, Art After Dark, Free Family Art Day and an exhibition schedule that jumped from 5 to approximately 15 exhibition a year! Trustee Emeritus Bob Pickrel who worked with Pahl since his first day at the museum said “We were lucky to have Skip as long as we did. He is a dear friend who taught me how to appreciate art. We will miss him.” Pahl intends on spending retirement working on his 20-foot wooden boat that he has been building for 10 years.