Meet the Team

Bio

Amy developed a love for history, art, and the natural world at an early age through annual family trips to museums, historic sites, and national parks. Inspired by a family full of educators, she began her career as a classroom teacher in the US and abroad. Before joining the South Carolina State Museum, Amy spent over twenty years at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in a variety of leadership roles advancing education, public programs, digital engagement, exhibition interpretive planning, visitor services, and strategic initiatives, including co-leading the Museum’s 2020-2030 strategic planning process. Amy is a member of the Board of the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) and was the former chair of AAM’s Accreditation Commission. She has also held leadership roles in AAM’s Education Professional Committee (EdCom), the Museum Education Roundtable, and the National Council for History Education. Amy was the founding director of two arts nonprofits - The London International Gallery of Children’s Art and Children’s’ International Art Outreach (CIAO). She holds a B.A., cum laude, in Anthropology and Education from the College of William and Mary, a MAT in Museum Education from the George Washington University, and is a graduate of the Getty Museum Leadership Institute and the Smithsonian Leadership Development Program.  

Amy grew to love South Carolina through childhood visits to her Great Aunt Naomi and Uncle Joe’s shrimping business in St. Helena, SC. She currently lives in Columbia, SC with her husband, two daughters, and rescue dogs and cat. 

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Doug Beerman has over 30 years of experience managing and operating attractions. In the 1990’s, Doug managed operations in theme parks including both Paramount’s Carowinds, and Six Flags. In the 2000’s, Doug was the Senior Director of Guest Services at The Philadelphia Zoo. Before joining the museum in 2014 Doug was a Project Manager with Gateway Ticketing Systems, and Operations Manager of the Plymouth Meeting Mall, outside Philadelphia. Doug has enjoyed his part in bringing new experiences and services to the museum, including notables like the 4D Theater, the Solar Eclipse Events of 2017, and the Heroes & Villains exhibit of 2025.

Doug holds a degree in Recreation Management from East Stroudsburg University.

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Senior Certified Human Resources Professional with over 20 years of experience developing and executing HR strategies, programs and services to support business partners and to assist with attracting, developing, and retaining a highly engaged, inclusive, and diverse workforce while minimizing risk exposure. University of South Carolina and Villanova University graduate. 

Areas of expertise include: 

Employee Relations • Strategic Staffing • Diversity/Inclusion • HR/EEO Compliance • Organizational Development/Change • Policies/Procedures and Forms Development • Compensation • Environment/Perception Surveys• HR Audits/Needs Assessments • Training and Development • Affirmative Action Planning 

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Jeffrey L. Brodie, Ph.D., brings over 30 years of leadership experience from the Smithsonian Institution and the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh. Dr. Brodie began his museum career at the Smithsonian in 1989 and served in various curatorial and leadership positions at the National Museum of American History and the National Postal Museum. He has led major exhibition projects, including the preservation of the Star-Spangled Banner and America’s Smithsonian national traveling exhibition.  

As Acting Director of the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation, Dr. Brodie oversaw research, education, and public programming aimed at expanding the public’s understanding of innovation. He served as the lead curator for the Change YOUR Game exhibition, which explored invention, technology, and sports. He also founded the Innoskate program – a national initiative that celebrates the creativity and innovation of skateboarding culture.  

At the Heinz History Center, Dr. Brodie served as Vice President for Museums. He managed curatorial and collections teams, while leading strategic planning for new exhibitions during a major capital expansion effort. 

Dr. Brodie holds a B.A. in History and Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, an M.A. in History from the University of Connecticut, and a Ph.D. in History from The George Washington University. 

Bio

Emily brings a wealth of experience from both the corporate and non-profit sectors where she served in Director of Marketing & Development, Operations Director, and Executive Assistant roles. She began her career at the #1 independent record label in the world before returning to South Carolina to work for a local autism service provider.  In her free time, Emily sits on the executive committee of Carolina Sunshine for Children board of directors, is a member of the Junior League of Columbia, and volunteers annually with the Gervais Street Bridge Dinner. Emily received a bachelor's degree in business administration and minors in public relations and Spanish from the College of Charleston.

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The South Carolina State Museum is proud to announce the appointment of Mary Kathryne Wadford as the new executive director of the South Carolina State Museum Foundation. She assumes this leadership role during a transformative time for the museum as it advances its $75 million Reimagine the Experience campaign, a bold initiative to renew exhibitions, enhance educational programming and expand engagement across South Carolina.

As executive director of the Foundation, Wadford will lead strategic fundraising efforts for the campaign, working closely with donors, stakeholders and museum leadership to bring this ambitious vision to life.

Prior to joining the State Museum Foundation, Wadford served as assistant vice president for Institutional Advancement at Newberry College, where she focused on donor engagement and alumni relations. She previously held fundraising leadership roles at Columbia College, the District Five Foundation and the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics. In these roles, she led capital campaigns, cultivated major gifts and built strong community partnerships.

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Tom’s interest in museums began as young student on a field trip, when he saw a presenter in a Faraday cage throw massive sparks from the giant Van de Graaff generator at the Museum of Science Boston. As Director of Innovation Experiences, he remembers that moment and recognizes the museum’s responsibility to find ways to represent and excite our many audiences at the South Carolina State Museum. Tom received a master’s in environmental education before starting his museum career at Cape Fear Museum in Wilmington, NC. He joined the South Carolina State Museum in 2000 and has held many positions in both the education and collections departments. Tom was fortunate to serve on the team that developed the 2014 expansion that includes the museum’s planetarium, observatory, 4D theater, and telescope gallery. He loves the state’s natural spaces, especially the mountains, where he enjoys camping and hiking. If he’s not at work or on a trail, Tom can regularly be found volunteering with his church music program.

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Dorothy joined the museum team after 35 years in retails private sector. Dorothy developed her love of retail after graduating from the University of South Carolina. Her favorite part of her job is finding unique items for the gift shop that customers will treasure and remind them of their wonderful museum experience

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Matt Joy is our Director of Information Technology.  As a member of the Administrative Services Team, Matt directs the Information Technology team and is responsible for daily and strategic IT operations supporting staff, exhibits, classrooms, and visitor-facing technology. This includes providing leadership for infrastructure projects, cybersecurity initiatives, and help-desk operations to ensure reliable, secure, and efficient technology across all museum facilities.

Matt holds a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of South Carolina and an MBA in IT Management from the University of Phoenix. He worked as a Director of IT/Operations at the University of South Carolina - College of Education for approximately 10 years. 

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Paul Matheny received his Master of Arts in Arts Administration (2011) and Bachelor of Fine Arts (1996) degrees from Winthrop University. In 1997 he accepted the position of Assistant Curator of Art at the Museum of York County until 2001, when he accepted the position of Curator of Art at the South Carolina State Museum. He served as the Chief Curator of Art for the S.C. State Museum from 2002-2014, Chief Curator of Collections from 2014-2015 and currently serves as the Chief Curator, Director of Collections and Curatorial Affairs. During his time at the S.C. State Museum, he has curated more than 30 major exhibitions focusing on the work artists and craftspeople from South Carolina.

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Matt Picon is our Director of Exhibition Production. As a member of the Engagement and Content Team, Matt directs the Exhibition and Production team and is responsible for all aspects related to the design and fabrication of SCSM exhibitions. This work includes the installation, de-installation, maintenance and repair of permanent, temporary, and traveling exhibitions. Matt holds a bachelor's degree in Intermedia from Arizona State University and a master's degree in Sculpture from San Diego State University. He previously worked as an Exhibition & Fabrication Manager at the New Children's Museum.  Other positions worked include Senior Exhibition Design and Fabrication Coordinator, Graphic Designer, and Adjunct Associate Professor.

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Andrea (Ani) Simmons is our Director of Audience Engagement. A museum educator since 2008, Ani designs inclusive, engaging programs that connect learners of all ages to history. Her 15 years teaching English, History, and Humanities in Texas and abroad ground her commitment to meaningful, standards-aligned learning experiences.

Before joining our team, Ani served as Director of The Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, expanding nationwide educator programs, improving operations, and launching new digital initiatives. She previously developed K–12 and community programs at the Frisco Heritage Museum and led education outreach and partnerships at The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza.

Ani is an active field contributor, dedicated to museums’ power to spark empathy, civic engagement, and lifelong learning.

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Robyn Adams has been the Registrar at the State Museum since 2015. In her role, she is responsible for the care, documentation and preservation of the objects and specimens in the collections and the care of the museum. She also oversees the digitization, inventory and database management of the collections, a multi-year project and team generously funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Prior to coming to SCSM she worked at George Washington’s Mount Vernon in Virginia. Robyn holds a BA in History from Clemson University (Go Tigers!) and an MA in Public History from North Carolina State University.

A lifelong lover of history, people, travel and all the random trivia she will never use, she enjoys getting to work with all areas of the collection from Art to Natural History. She also finds joy in getting to handle every object that comes into the museum and can tell you where something is even if she doesn't know exactly what it is.

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Jennifer was born in Columbia, SC and then lived in Memphis, TN and California before returning to South Carolina where she attended high school. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and, in 2007, she joined the South Carolina State Museum as their Membership Manager. In 2018, Jennifer became the Director of Communications and Marketing at the museum. She is responsible for overseeing all museum communications from Facebook posts to print pieces, as well as creating advertising campaigns to promote museum exhibitions and events.

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Maddy Alford is joining the SCSM with 13 years’ experience in media, communications, the creative arts, and PR. Her career has been shaped by her dual British-American heritage, and her love of art, culture, travel, and fashion.

Most recently, she spent a decade working abroad in London, primarily as an editor at lifestyle magazines such as Cosmopolitan and Women’s Health. In her career, she has flown across the globe for travel journalism assignments, collaborated with big teams on large-scale international photoshoots, styled celebrities, interviewed musicians, and gained a 360* view of the communications landscape in the world of creative arts. 

She discovered an early love of museums and art from her British mother, a retired art educator, who brought the family to countless museums around the world on holiday. And her father, a retired military officer, piqued her curiosity for music, history, and learning. Maddy graduated from the University of South Carolina with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications. She is thrilled to be back home again in South Carolina, joining the Museum at such a pivotal and exciting time of growth.

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Sheri Zagata joins the South Carolina State Museum as Executive Assistant, supporting the Executive Director and Chief of Staff/Senior Project Manager. Sheri holds a bachelor’s degree in Family and Community Services from the University of Delaware and a Master of Social Work from Roberts Wesleyan College. She brings decades of experience in project management and executive support, including 11 years as Executive Assistant to the High School Principal at Ben Lippen School. Sheri’s background in community-focused work and administrative leadership equips her to excel in a fast-paced environment while fostering strong relationships across the organization. Her professional versatility and dedication to service make her a valuable addition to the Executive Team.

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Jennifer was born in Columbia, SC and then lived in Memphis, TN and California before returning to South Carolina where she attended high school. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and, in 2007, she joined the South Carolina State Museum as their Membership Manager. In 2018, Jennifer became the Director of Communications and Marketing at the museum. She is responsible for overseeing all museum communications from Facebook posts to print pieces, as well as creating advertising campaigns to promote museum exhibitions and events.

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Mia Cogdill is our Graphics Manager. She was born in Lexington, SC and has always loved art and history. She graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2022 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a concentration on graphic design. She started as a Graphics Intern at the Museum in her last semester of college and became the Graphics Assistant when she graduated. In Sept. 2024, Mia became the Graphics Manager which includes creating designs, overseeing and managing production, and ensuring the quality of all print and digital graphic design projects for the museum and the SCSM Foundation.

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Stella Huffman is the museum’s Digital Content Coordinator, bringing its stories of art, history, and science to life through social media, email, and creative marketing initiatives. A Columbia native and proud University of South Carolina alumna, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications with a specialization in Visual Communications in 2017.

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Chandler Mack is the Public Relations Manager at the South Carolina State Museum, where he serves as the museum's spokesperson and a lead content creator. In this role, he assists in shaping the museum's voice across platforms, contributes to social media strategy, writes press releases and weekly newsletters, and coordinates media outreach. Chandler is also one of the editors and writers of Images, the museum's member magazine, where he supports storytelling that connects audiences to South Carolina's history, art, science, and culture. 

A skilled photographer and videographer, Chandler documents museum events and exhibitions, capturing moments that extend the museum's reach. He is especially proud of his work promoting the museum's Harvesting Heritage event series, highlighting the Matriarchs of the Lowcountry portrait series by Natalie Daise, and documenting artist Corey Alston's creation of Big Percy, a massive sweetgrass basket that is now part of the museum's permanent collection. His work at the museum reflects his strong passion for storytelling, accessibility, and community engagement. 

Chandler holds a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of South Carolina. Prior to joining the Museum, he held the position of Sports Anchor at WLTX – TV. In 2023, he was named Sportscaster of the Year by the South Carolina Broadcasters Association.   

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Jeffrey L. Brodie, Ph.D., brings over 30 years of leadership experience from the Smithsonian Institution and the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh. Dr. Brodie began his museum career at the Smithsonian in 1989 and served in various curatorial and leadership positions at the National Museum of American History and the National Postal Museum. He has led major exhibition projects, including the preservation of the Star-Spangled Banner and America’s Smithsonian national traveling exhibition.  

As Acting Director of the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation, Dr. Brodie oversaw research, education, and public programming aimed at expanding the public’s understanding of innovation. He served as the lead curator for the Change YOUR Game exhibition, which explored invention, technology, and sports. He also founded the Innoskate program – a national initiative that celebrates the creativity and innovation of skateboarding culture.  

At the Heinz History Center, Dr. Brodie served as Vice President for Museums. He managed curatorial and collections teams, while leading strategic planning for new exhibitions during a major capital expansion effort. 

Dr. Brodie holds a B.A. in History and Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, an M.A. in History from the University of Connecticut, and a Ph.D. in History from The George Washington University. 

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Taj Blair is an Assistant Project Manager at the South Carolina State Museum, supporting the planning and execution of project master planning and exhibitions from concept to installation. He holds a B.A. in Architecture with a Travel & Tourism minor from Clemson University. Taj enjoys the interdisciplinary collaboration across departments to help transform ideas into engaging experiences for museum visitors and applies an organized and comprehensive approach to coordinating teams, timelines, and project milestones.

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Rachel Fludd is the museum's Public Programs Coordinator. She has a background in communications, community engagement, and public programming. She holds a master's degree in arts administration from Winthrop University and a bachelor's degree in communications from Columbia College. She is passionate about expanding access to the arts and creating meaningful connections between cultural institutions and the communities they serve. When she's not at work, Rachel enjoys exploring new cities, restaurants, and coffee shops. 

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Erin Lucero is our Exhibition Project Manager. As a member of the Engagement and Content Team, Erin ensures assigned projects, primarily exhibitions, are completed to the necessary standards, on time, within budget, and within resource constraints. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She worked as a licensed architect in architecture firms and for the Colorado Department of Transportation for approximately 11 years, designing everything from office buildings to laboratories to maintenance facilities. 

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Andrea (Ani) Simmons is our Director of Audience Engagement. A museum educator since 2008, Ani designs inclusive, engaging programs that connect learners of all ages to history. Her 15 years teaching English, History, and Humanities in Texas and abroad ground her commitment to meaningful, standards-aligned learning experiences.

Before joining our team, Ani served as Director of The Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, expanding nationwide educator programs, improving operations, and launching new digital initiatives. She previously developed K–12 and community programs at the Frisco Heritage Museum and led education outreach and partnerships at The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza.

Ani is an active field contributor, dedicated to museums’ power to spark empathy, civic engagement, and lifelong learning.

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Laura Ybarra-Kane has been a passionate educator in the Midlands for nearly 20 years. Laura joined the museum as a volunteer in 2004 while she was a student at the University of South Carolina majoring in Anthropology with a focus in education. Laura started her journey at the State Museum as a docent- giving tours, helping with special events and volunteering behind-the-scenes with registration. Shortly after, she was promoted to an Outreach Coordinator position which took education programs across the state. Laura left the museum to gain experience teaching in K-12 classrooms, afterschool programs and early childhood education with a focus on inquiry-rich, constructivist-based learning pedagogies. After spending several years at other museums and educational institutions, she returned to the South Carolina State Museum in 2014 and is so happy to “be home again.” Laura’s favorite part about SCSM is working with families, schools and teachers. Seeing students grow and change year after year with camp, helping new teachers find their footing and sharing resources with them, and helping schools reach their goals is what it’s all about for her. “I hope everyone we reach experiences the wonder and excitement of learning!”

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Serving as the museum’s Education Coordinator, Katherine Kerr works closely with the Audience Engagement and Group Visits departments to facilitate programs for field trips for K-12 schools across South Carolina. She also develops content for the museum’s in-house STEAM programs, as well as virtual and outreach efforts. Katherine strives to prioritize the children’s learning and enjoyment, while providing ease of access and support for teachers. She also serves as one of the museum’s camp administrators.

Prior to joining SCSM, Katherine served as an elementary education teacher in Richland 2 and the Public Charter School District of South Carolina. She has taught every grade from 2-6 and prides herself on her ability to reach a diverse population of students. Katherine graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2016 with her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. She went on to earn her Master of Education in Trauma-Informed Education from Columbia College in 2022. She joined the SCSM team in January 2023 and looks forward to more opportunities to have a positive impact on children across our state.

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Liz joined the State Museum in 2014 as part of the Windows to New Worlds Project, which saw the grand opening of the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Planetarium. As Senior Manager of Astronomy, she is responsible for all aspects of theater maintenance and operation, which includes acquiring, creating, delivering both live and pre-recorded content and training presenters.

She is also heavily involved in astronomy education beyond the dome, developing and teaching hands-on activities for camps and producing bi-weekly virtual sky tours for social media. Liz holds an MS in Physics and Astronomy from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) and a PhD in Astronomy from New Mexico State University (NMSU), where she used cosmological simulations to study how feedback processes affect the formation and evolution of galaxies at high redshift.

She is the Past-President of the Southeastern Planetarium Association (SEPA), having served as President from 2021-2022 and is also a member of the International Planetarium Society (IPS). In addition to astronomy, Liz is passionate about yoga, parrots and pianos.

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Jessica has a lifelong passion for history and museums and has two degrees in history. Outside of work, she finds joy in various activities, such as trips to the beach and movie theater, as well as reading. Additionally, she enjoys exploring the great outdoors with hikes alongside her husband and their beloved dog.
 

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Andrew holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physics with a concentration in Astronomy. He attended graduate school at the University of Arizona, where he also worked at the Astronomy Camp.

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Matthew Whitehouse, DMA, is the Observatory Manager at South Carolina State Museum. At SCSM, he overseas observatory operations, serves as lead observatory educator and facilitates use of the observatory across museum departments. Matthew also leads a statewide distance learning program and assists with presenting planetarium shows. His favorite part of the job is the accessibility of the Boeing Observatory. There are very few observatories where visitors can simply walk in, talk with astronomers and experience a historic telescope in action!

Matthew joined the SCSM team in 2013, a year before the opening of the museum’s Windows to New Worlds expansion. Originally from Columbia, he returned to South Carolina after completing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in organ performance at The University of Arizona. While in Arizona, Matthew was heavily involved in astronomy outreach, including an astronomy camp for teens, partnerships with K-12 teachers and public programs at Kitt Peak National Observatory. It was in Arizona that Matthew discovered his passion for astronomy education.

As an organist, Matthew enjoys combining music and astronomy in his original compositions and improvisations. He has given presentations linking music and astronomy both locally and internationally. In addition to his work at SCSM, Matthew serves as a supply organist for churches across the Midlands.

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Robyn Adams has been the Registrar at the State Museum since 2015. In her role, she is responsible for the care, documentation and preservation of the objects and specimens in the collections and the care of the museum. She also oversees the digitization, inventory and database management of the collections, a multi-year project and team generously funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Prior to coming to SCSM she worked at George Washington’s Mount Vernon in Virginia. Robyn holds a BA in History from Clemson University (Go Tigers!) and an MA in Public History from North Carolina State University.

A lifelong lover of history, people, travel and all the random trivia she will never use, she enjoys getting to work with all areas of the collection from Art to Natural History. She also finds joy in getting to handle every object that comes into the museum and can tell you where something is even if she doesn't know exactly what it is.

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Hope Bruce, originally from Ohio, joined SCSM in February 2023. She is responsible for the management of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant-funded inventory project. The project includes working with a talented part-time team to inventory, enter data, digitize and evaluate the Science and Technology Collection and the exhibition galleries. Previously, she worked in Collections at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens of Akron Ohio, the Massillon Museum, the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial in Nettuno, Italy as well as working with other NE Ohio museums for specific events and projects. Hope received a BA in Museum Studies and History from Walsh University. She is excited to learn more about South Carolina and explore and experience new things in the South.

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Rebekah Furey is our Collections Manager. She came to the State Museum from Indianapolis in 2025. While in Indiana, Rebekah worked in a variety of museum collections, specializing in registration, preventive conservation, and collections care & management. She wanted to join the team at SCSM because of the robust and diverse collection—particularly the natural history specimens! Rebekah holds a BA in History & Spanish and an MA in Museum Studies. 

When not at work, Rebekah enjoys hiking, biking, visiting museums, and exploring new places. She also prefers to spend her free time camping in National Parks and appreciating the outdoors.

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Paul Matheny received his Master of Arts in Arts Administration (2011) and Bachelor of Fine Arts (1996) degrees from Winthrop University. In 1997 he accepted the position of Assistant Curator of Art at the Museum of York County until 2001, when he accepted the position of Curator of Art at the South Carolina State Museum. He served as the Chief Curator of Art for the S.C. State Museum from 2002-2014, Chief Curator of Collections from 2014-2015 and currently serves as the Chief Curator, Director of Collections and Curatorial Affairs. During his time at the S.C. State Museum, he has curated more than 30 major exhibitions focusing on the work artists and craftspeople from South Carolina.

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Prior to joining the Museum in 2024, she earned her M.A. in Southern Studies (2024) from the University of Mississippi and her B.A. in Art History (2012) from the College of William and Mary. Before going to graduate school in 2022, Laura worked at the Taubman Museum of Art in her hometown of Roanoke, VA as a Membership Coordinator before accepting a position as Curatorial Assistant Manager. She has also participated in the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA) Summer Institute research program. Laura has loved history for as long as she can remember, having spent childhood summers doing genealogical research with her grandfather and visiting Colonial Williamsburg and the Historic Triangle of Virginia with her family. In 2022, Laura was nominated as one of SEMC’s “Ones to Watch”. Her research interests include eighteenth and nineteenth century southern material culture and the history of women.

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Chris Graham is our new Curator of the American Revolution. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in US History from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a master’s degree in public history from North Carolina State University. Chris is a self-employed Public Historian and previously worked as a Curator of Exhibitions in the American Civil War Museum located in Richmond, Virginia.

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Dr. Ramon Jackson completed the doctoral program in History at the University of South Carolina in 2019. He served as co-historian of Columbia SC 63: Our Story Matters, a landmark public history initiative that commemorated South Carolina’s Civil Rights Movement and its dramatic impact on our nation’s broader freedom struggle.  Prior to joining the South Carolina State Museum in May 2023, Dr. Jackson worked as the African American Heritage Coordinator at the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, where he assisted the agency and the South Carolina African American Heritage Commission (SCAAHC) with a host of public programs, exhibits, and historic preservation initiatives. He also was an Assistant Professor of History at Newberry College, where he taught survey courses in 20^th century American History and special topics courses on Black student activism, South Carolina civil rights, and African American sport history.

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Maia Payne is our Associate Art Curator. As a member of our Curatorial Affairs Department, she will be responsible for our changing art exhibition program in the museum’s Lipscomb Art Gallery as well as integrating and managing artwork throughout the museum’s exhibitions.  The position will also work closely with our Manager of Community Engagement with all related art programs.  Maia holds master’s degrees in art administration and public affairs from Indiana University at Bloomington and a bachelor’s degree in art history/studio art from Earlham College. She previously held positions of Recreational Leader at the City of Bloomington and Community Engagement Fellow at the Lotus Education & Art Foundation.

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Dr. W. Scott Persons is the new Curator of Natural History at the South Carolina State Museum, where he leads research and collection initiatives in natural history, with a focus on paleontology. He brings a deep commitment to sharing scientific stories with the public through exhibitions, publications, programs, and the RTE project. Scott holds a Ph.D. and a master’s degree in Evolution and Systematics from the University of Alberta, along with a bachelor’s degree in Geology/Biology from Macalester College. Prior to joining the museum, he served as Curator and Assistant Professor at the College of Charleston’s Mace Brown Museum of Natural History for six years and held multiple roles in exhibition curation. His blend of academic excellence, research leadership, and passion for public engagement will enrich the museum’s mission and educational outreach.

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Timia D. Thompson is the Collections Outreach Manager at the South Carolina State Museum, where she oversees the Museum’s Traveling Exhibition Program and supports statewide museum initiatives through her work with the South Carolina Federation of Museums (SCFM). Her work focuses on expanding access to exhibitions, strengthening institutional partnerships, and supporting museums and cultural organizations across South Carolina.

Grounded in curiosity, community, and storytelling, Timia brings a people-centered approach to leadership and public engagement. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science with a minor in English from the University of Florida and a Master of Science in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management from North Carolina State University.

Timia’s professional experience spans nonprofits, government agencies, and higher education, shaping her perspective on the role museums play in community connection, representation, and care. She is a 2024 recipient of the Southeastern Museums Conference Emerging Museum Professional Award and a graduate of the 2025 Jekyll Island Management Institute (JIMI). Through her work, she is committed to fostering inclusive leadership, amplifying community stories, and supporting museums as spaces of learning, dialogue, and belonging.

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Matt Picon is our Director of Exhibition Production. As a member of the Engagement and Content Team, Matt directs the Exhibition and Production team and is responsible for all aspects related to the design and fabrication of SCSM exhibitions. This work includes the installation, de-installation, maintenance and repair of permanent, temporary, and traveling exhibitions. Matt holds a bachelor's degree in Intermedia from Arizona State University and a master's degree in Sculpture from San Diego State University. He previously worked as an Exhibition & Fabrication Manager at the New Children's Museum.  Other positions worked include Senior Exhibition Design and Fabrication Coordinator, Graphic Designer, and Adjunct Associate Professor.

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In November of 2017, Jeremy was hired on as the “exhibits electrician.” Since then, he has learned many trades and skills such as carpentry, welding, acrylic fabrications and many more. He says he’s “always eager to learn and find new ways to challenge myself.”

He is most proud of his work with the recent Apollo 16 exhibition, the new Gibbs reader rail, the SCSM graffiti mural, the tripod model of the telescope legs, all the new display cases, the Savannah River Site Museum fabrication and, most recently, a replica guitar gifted to Drink Small.

In his free time, he often works on beautifying his home and backyard. He also enjoys cruising up and down the river with his wife and their dog Hank. A huge fan of the outdoors, he enjoys hiking, swimming, gardening, playing pickleball and riding his bicycle.

“I absolutely love my job and look forward to furthering my career as a museum exhibition design and fabrication specialist.”

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Corey Hinson is one of our Fabrication & Exhibitions Specialists. Corey holds a bachelor’s degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism from Clemson University.  He previously held the position of Work Program Coordinator at the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) where he instructed students on production woodworking & Home Décor. Prior to working at DJJ, he also worked with Bricker & Beam as a Furniture Maker, Artisan, and Custom Fabricator.

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Senior Certified Human Resources Professional with over 20 years of experience developing and executing HR strategies, programs and services to support business partners and to assist with attracting, developing, and retaining a highly engaged, inclusive, and diverse workforce while minimizing risk exposure. University of South Carolina and Villanova University graduate. 

Areas of expertise include: 

Employee Relations • Strategic Staffing • Diversity/Inclusion • HR/EEO Compliance • Organizational Development/Change • Policies/Procedures and Forms Development • Compensation • Environment/Perception Surveys• HR Audits/Needs Assessments • Training and Development • Affirmative Action Planning 

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Tara Faethe serves as the Human Resources Manager for the Museum. In this role, she oversees the daily operations of the HR department and serves as the organization’s primary benefits administrator.

Tara is a certified Human Resources Professional through the National Society for Human Resource Management. She has a strong background in HR, having held roles at BlackRock, Asana Partners, and WDG Consulting.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in labor studies and human Relations from Rutgers University, as well as an associate’s degree in business administration.

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Kevin Flarisee is our Procurement Manager. As a member of our Human Resources and Administrative Department, he oversees all the agency’s procurement of goods and services. Kevin holds a bachelor’s degree in arts management from the College of Charleston.  He previously held positions of Coordinator for Executive, Program and Department Support and was also the Procurement Director with the SC Arts Commission where he worked nearly 10 years.

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Sara Rivera is the Human Resources Coordinator at the South Carolina State Museum. She supports general Human Resources functions, including assisting with staffing management, payroll/benefits, HR reporting, records management and more in accordance with state and local regulations. She also provides administrative and event planning support to the HR department and the Executive Office, as needed.

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Matt Joy is our Director of Information Technology.  As a member of the Administrative Services Team, Matt directs the Information Technology team and is responsible for daily and strategic IT operations supporting staff, exhibits, classrooms, and visitor-facing technology. This includes providing leadership for infrastructure projects, cybersecurity initiatives, and help-desk operations to ensure reliable, secure, and efficient technology across all museum facilities.

Matt holds a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of South Carolina and an MBA in IT Management from the University of Phoenix. He worked as a Director of IT/Operations at the University of South Carolina - College of Education for approximately 10 years. 

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Broxton Ottinger is the IT Security Specialist for the South Carolina State Museum. As a member of the Information Technology team, Broxton supports the museum’s daily and strategic technology operations with a focus on cybersecurity, infrastructure security, and system reliability. His work helps protect staff systems, exhibits, classrooms, and visitor-facing technology while ensuring secure and efficient access across all museum facilities.
 

Broxton holds an Associate’s degree in Network Security Management from Midlands Technical College. He brings professional experience working in Washington, D.C., supporting technology and security operations for a variety of federal and state agencies, including the Pentagon Protection Force, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). His background includes working in high-security and compliance-driven environments, contributing to cybersecurity initiatives and the protection of sensitive systems and data.

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Doug Beerman has over 30 years of experience managing and operating attractions. In the 1990’s, Doug managed operations in theme parks including both Paramount’s Carowinds, and Six Flags. In the 2000’s, Doug was the Senior Director of Guest Services at The Philadelphia Zoo. Before joining the museum in 2014 Doug was a Project Manager with Gateway Ticketing Systems, and Operations Manager of the Plymouth Meeting Mall, outside Philadelphia. Doug has enjoyed his part in bringing new experiences and services to the museum, including notables like the 4D Theater, the Solar Eclipse Events of 2017, and the Heroes & Villains exhibit of 2025.

Doug holds a degree in Recreation Management from East Stroudsburg University.

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Jason Dunn is our General Maintenance Technician. As a member of the operations and Visitor Services Team, Jason is responsible for museum decor upkeep, support, repairs, custodial services, maintenance, setup/dismantling, and media operational assistance.

He previously worked as a Project Manager with CRDN Southeast. Other positions include General Maintenance Technician, Electronics Restoration Manager, Aerospace Ground Equipment Technician, and Machinist.

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Rudine Alston Hopkins has diligently served for more than 21 years at the South Carolina State Museum. In her role as a Public Safety Officer, she is responsible for providing emergency assistance and guarding exhibits from incidents and threats.

After completing her high school education at Lower Richland High School, she enrolled at Midlands Technical College. Ms. Hopkins spent most of her time working for Fort Jackson Post Exchange before beginning her position at the South Carolina State Museum on March 1, 2002.

Outside of work, she likes to travel, meet new people, watch sports, and spend time with many of her nieces and nephews.

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Emil Khalil serves as a General Maintenance Technician for the Museum. 

In this role, Emil oversees essential upkeep tasks including preventative maintenance, repairs, and daily gallery turn-on routines. He also coordinates office and equipment moves, manages maintenance estimates and purchasing, and supports seasonal décor installations. His hands-on expertise includes painting, drywall touchups, and a wide range of general facility repairs.

Emil brings a diverse and accomplished professional background to the position. Most recently, he worked with the Facilities Department at Grand Canyon University in Arizona, and previously served as a plumber with Roto Rooter. His career also includes service in the United States Marine Corps, work as a Court Investigator for the Judicial Branch of the Arizona Probate Court, and multiple roles within the Michigan Department of Corrections.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Ashworth College.

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As a member of the South Carolina State Museum’s Public Safety Department, Ronald monitors the museum’s exhibitions and galleries and provides emergency assistance to guests when needed. Born in Washington D.C., he previously worked with the South Carolina Department of Corrections as a security officer. Outside of work, Ronald enjoys skiing, riding motorcycles and photography.

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Born and raised in Lower Richland in East Columbia, SC, Jimmy spent six years in the South Carolina Air National Guard. Aside from the Military, Jimmy has over two decades of experience in the world of public safety, including 21 years as a Fire Captain at two different municipalities within the Midlands. Prior to and after retiring from the fire service, Jimmy also worked a total of five plus years in public safety at Riverbanks Zoo.

Joe West is our Security and Safety Manager. Joe holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the University of South Carolina and previously worked as a Law Enforcement Officer - Lieutenant with the SC Law Enforcement Division (SLED) for approximately 35 years.  He also serves as an EMT Instructor.

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Dorothy joined the museum team after 35 years in retails private sector. Dorothy developed her love of retail after graduating from the University of South Carolina. Her favorite part of her job is finding unique items for the gift shop that customers will treasure and remind them of their wonderful museum experience

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Henry Bidar is our Support Services Manager. As a member of our Operations and Customer Experience Department he will supervise the building services team, provide routine 4D theatre maintenance, support the Special Events team, maintain event/housekeeping inventory, provide general support/assistance to Director of Visitor Services, and assist/interact with museum guests as needed.  Henry holds a bachelor’s degree in politics from the University of California – Santa Cruz. He previously held positions of Guest Services Staff Supervisor and Guest Services Cashier Lead with the Oakland Zoo.

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Clayton holds a M.A. in Organization Communication from West Virginia University. He previously worked as the Director of Communication for the South Carolina Manufactured Housing Association where he managed public relations, web design, political communication, and membership development.

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Bobby Lanzone is the South Carolina State Museum's Special Events Operations Coordinator. He earned his B.S. in Tourism Management with a minor in Sociology in 2024 from the University of South Carolina.

Before coordinating events at the museum, Bobby served as a Ground Security Coordinator at Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE), overseeing security operations for private charter flights. He also plays a key role in Columbia’s vibrant community as the Event Coordinator for Soda City Market, where he helps organize the voted #1 Farmers Market in the nation by USA Today readers (2025) and the city’s premier weekly street market.

With a background in event planning, security operations, and tourism, Robert is dedicated to curating exceptional events that connect people to history, culture, and the arts.

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Tamera previously held the position of General Manager at Something Borrowed, LLC where she strategically directed day-to-day operations for event rentals, spanning from corporate seminars to grand festivals, ensuring impeccable execution and client satisfaction.   

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The South Carolina State Museum is proud to announce the appointment of Mary Kathryne Wadford as the new executive director of the South Carolina State Museum Foundation. She assumes this leadership role during a transformative time for the museum as it advances its $75 million Reimagine the Experience campaign, a bold initiative to renew exhibitions, enhance educational programming and expand engagement across South Carolina.

As executive director of the Foundation, Wadford will lead strategic fundraising efforts for the campaign, working closely with donors, stakeholders and museum leadership to bring this ambitious vision to life.

Prior to joining the State Museum Foundation, Wadford served as assistant vice president for Institutional Advancement at Newberry College, where she focused on donor engagement and alumni relations. She previously held fundraising leadership roles at Columbia College, the District Five Foundation and the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics. In these roles, she led capital campaigns, cultivated major gifts and built strong community partnerships.

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Amberley has a background in sales and customer service and oversees the museum's direct membership sales, member event planning, and membership renewals.

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