About Me

Personal Biography

I am forever a Hoosier at heart having been born and raised in the small farm community of Centerville, Indiana. Since leaving the “Crossroads of America”, I have had the pleasure of living in the Atlanta, Georgia metropolitan area for over twenty-five years. I am passionate about my family, friends, our dogs, sports of all types, anything historical, and being outdoors. When time allows, I leave the world behind and cruise the picturesque North Georgia mountains on two wheels, read about history and new technologies, or take on another DIY project to see what I can create. I am always looking for new activities that engage the mind, body, and soul while developing a stronger sense of individual accomplishment.

Professionally, I am the product of an array of experiences. For more than twenty years, I built a business with a strong reputation in the construction industry. Feeling I had reached a plateau, I sought out new challenges and decided to pursue my passions. From the earliest recollections of my youth, there was always a natural attraction to history, undoubtedly inspired by several remarkable educators.

Today, I find purpose in ensuring the stories of yesterday remain relevant to 21st century audiences. My guiding principles as a museum professional reflect my commitment to help build a better community through education. I believe that we can use history as a gateway to explore and understand many facets of the contemporary world around us.

Career Profile

I demonstrate excellent skills in verbal and written communication supported by thorough research methodologies and creative approaches to engagement. My leadership, team building, and project-management skills enhance a fully developed and detail-oriented set of business experiences. I am well prepared to collaborate with staff and the surrounding community towards a common goal of advancing institutional impact.

Education

University of West Georgia - Carrollton, GA December 2020

· Master of Arts in History (Public History Tract) GPA: 4.0

· Focus on contemporary standards for education, exhibit curation, and museum administration

· Participant in a Study-Away Program in New York City focusing on immigration history and cultural diversity

Kennesaw State University - Kennesaw, GA December 2016

· Bachelor of Arts in History - Summa Cum Laude GPA: 4.0

· Minor in Geography

Public History Experience

Marietta Museum of History, Inc. - Marietta, GA

Aviation History & Technology Center Director January 2019 – Current

• Coordinate with executive board, advisory board, and staff to uncouple The Aviation Wing from the Marietta Museum of History and create a separate and autonomous entity with a new brand.

• Implement inaugural campaigns for community outreach, educational programming, museum fundraising, and overall museum development.

• Liaison between museum board of trustees, advisory board, and staff for improvements in policy implementation, site facilities, aesthetic presentation, communications, and volunteer services.

• Initiate a thorough assessment and overhaul of organization processes, structure, guest experiences, and public image to improve efficiency and perception within the served community.

Aviation Wing Project Coordinator January 2018 – December 2018

• Collaborate with the executive director to create new programming ideas. Further conceptualize and develop feasible events for educational and fund-raising purposes, resulting in a 500% increase of Aviation Wing events hosted versus the prior year.

• Consolidate physical archives and digital catalog of Aviation Wing related materials. Increased organization facilitates an expedited process to locate materials for future research and display.

• Oversaw creation of a new website and complete array of social medial platforms. Regularly contribute to social media outlets for marketing of events and improved visibility within the community.

Volunteer October 2017-December 2017

• Develop skills associated with organization of archives and digital catalog updating. Initiate review of archive material in collaboration with the museum’s collections manager.

• Provide administrative assistance to museum professionals.

City of Woodstock/ Preservation Woodstock, Inc. - Woodstock, GA

Archive Specialist (Internship) May 2018 – September 2018

· Establish a system, in consultation with the municipal historian, of software-aided cataloging and identification for collections, facilitating a comprehensive inventory of relevant materials for research and exhibition.

· Promote historical narrative of the municipality and related individuals and entities within the community to improve public awareness of local history.

Relevant Professional Experience

Pinnacle Development Solutions, Inc. - Woodstock, GA

President/Owner August 2004 – October 2017

• Process bid packages for, and manage, projects of various civil engineering-related scopes on public works projects and private development throughout the Southeast, with focus on the Atlanta metropolitan area.

• Execute entire suite of managerial duties for a small construction industry entity including: new business development, procurement, proposal design/development/presentation, and financial administration. Resulted in continual growth for 13+ consecutive years.

• Provide 3rd party consultation covering team building, project budgeting, conflict resolution, and proposal presentation. Resulted in substantial schedule and budget savings for clients with increases in awarded contracts.

Research Experience

Senior Research Seminar in United States History Spring 2016

• Ann W. Pullen Award Recipient - History and Philosophy Department’s annual award for the best research and composition of an essay.

• Researched and authored a journal-length article exploring the militia movement in the United States with special focus on the geographical and chronological growth during the 1990s.

Senior Thesis - Transformation of The American Firearms Culture Fall 2016

• Initial participant in a new undergraduate thesis program simulating a graduate-level dissertation.

• Conducted 16 weeks of individually-driven research and composition of a 17,500+ word essay exploring the emerging firearms culture during the 1930s.