Curriculum Vitae
Summary
• Three decades of experience in the fields of history, public history, interpretation, communication, organizational and museum management, editing, writing for publication, communication, management and public speaking.
• Published author with extensive written and oral communication experience.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex events and projects.
• History of building and managing teams of volunteers and employees that are engaged and committed to working in unison toward organizational goals.
Professional Experience
Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours/ National Geographic Expeditions – Senior Historian/ National Geographic Expert-March 2012-Present
• Leader of specialized tours for Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours (SAHT) and, as a subcontractor, as an expert tour leader for National Geographic Adventures.
• Act as liaison with museums and historic sites in U.S., Europe and Asia to improve visitor experience.
• Prepare written materials for exhibits, museums and memorials in U.S. and Europe.
• Prepare advertising and background marketing material in support of tour promotion and operation.
• Write and oversee production of tour related material, such as guide books, lecture notes, reading lists, etc.
• Deliver daily historical lectures to tour participants.
• Manage tour related budget and staff of volunteers and paid employees.
G-2 Associates, LLC, Charlestown, MA – President January 2008-January 2012
• Founder of company that provided historically based educational and executive development trips to historic sites in the United States and Europe.
• Developed interpretive guidelines for G-2 staff and volunteers to ensure consistent message on all G-2 tours.
• Researched, wrote, and published tour materials that supported the educational mission of the company.
• Directed web, blog, and other social media marketing strategies to promote goals of the business and enrich visitors’ experiences.
• Built a collection of structured video interviews with dozens of participants in events related to the tours.
• Oversaw all logistical arrangements required to provide guests with a safe, enjoyable, and informative travel experience.
• Blended international staff into a cohesive team that worked in unison to ensure an unmatched visitor experience.
• Lead interpreter for tours lasting from one week to one month; providing day-to-day interpretive experience to groups ranging in size and age.
Weider History Group, Leesburg, VA – Editor-in-Chief 1998-2008
• Managed all aspects of producing World War II magazine, a monthly history publication with a circulation of more than 100,000, making it the leading publication in the group and the primary revenue stream for the publisher, supporting the publication of eight other historical titles. Served as editorial director for MHQ: The Quarterly Journal of Military History and Columbiad: A Quarterly Journal of the War Between the States.
• Developed a unified team for the magazine from what previously had been pools of employees from various departments within the group.
• Recruited an editorial advisory board of leading scholars to advise on ways to improve the magazine’s content.
• Prepared and managed magazine budget.
• Improved overall revenue stream for the group by developing a series of special issues that were sold on newsstands and later published in bound form.
• Guided all stories through editorial process from initial solicitation of articles from both academic and non-academic writers to final publication.
• Managed layout, design and production of magazine and journals as well as publication of monthly web highlights for each title.
• Wrote monthly editorial and news columns for magazine and journals.
• Instituted a set of oral history guidelines to be used by staff and authors.
• Took the lead in developing a series of teacher’s guides in support of publisher’s video endeavors.
• Appeared as subject matter expert and consultant on televised documentaries for the History and Discovery channels.
• Advised museums and historic sites on interpretive issues related to U.S. military history.
Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours, New Orleans, LA – Lead Guide 1998-2006
• Proposed and developed a series of educational tours that were co-branded with World War II magazine.
• Worked with Stephen Ambrose Tours in preparation of tour material to be used in conjunction with National D-Day Museum.
• Created itinerary, managed logistical arrangements, and acted as lead interpreter for SAHT’s Band of Brothers and D-Day 60th Anniversary tours.
• Drafted all promotional and advertising copy for tours, including the Band of Brothers tour, which has become the most financially successful and longest running of all SAHT programs.
• Served as consultant for HBO’s Band of Brothers miniseries, ensuring historical accuracy of the finished miniseries that became the most successful in HBO’s history.
National Guard Association of the United States – Historian/Production Manager 1991-1998
• Historian and curator for collection of the Historical Society of Militia and National Guard.
• Curated exhibits of National Guard and Militia related material for museum.
• Curated travelling exhibits and displays for Historical Society of Militia and National Guard.
• Served as a consultant to various state AG offices in preparation of local historical exhibits.
• Involved in all aspects of production of National Guard, a monthly association publication.
• Recruited writers and assisted first time authors through the publishing process from preparation of manuscripts to final publication.
• Edited submitted material
• Wrote original feature length articles in support of association objectives
• Served as point of contact between magazine and association staff and printing company.
• Assisted in preparation of other association related publications and legislative materials.
Non-Profit Experience
Camp Toccoa at Currahee Project, Toccoa, GA – Board Member 2004-Present
• Serve on the board of directors for non-profit museum foundation mandated with building a multi-million dollar historical museum and education centre on the site of the World War II training camp at Toccoa, GA.
• Initiated, developed, and oversaw to completion the Save the Stable project, a multi-national effort to relocate an historic building from Aldbourne, England to Toccoa.
• Consulted with grant writing and fund raising efforts for Currahee Military Museum.
• Prepared a long-term development plan for Currahee Military Museum, establishing policies for the acquisition, preservation, and display of artifacts.
• Wrote interpretive text panels for the Currahee Military Museum.
• Assist in development and preparation of new and rotating exhibits at museum.
Men of Easy Company, Madison, WI – Member 2002-Present
• One of only a handful of civilian members of Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry, the “Band of Brothers.”
• Membership conferred after many years of assisting the veterans in a number of projects, including: the organization of reunions, consultation with museums and historical sites, media liaison, editing and writing a variety of books, newsletters, and magazine articles on the company.
• Member of steering committee that oversaw the erection of three monuments in Europe.
• Wrote text panels for the Company’s monument at Brecourt Manor in Normandy, France.
National Park Service, Various Locations – Volunteer in the Park (VIP) 1989-Present
• Served as a VIP at a number of National Parks over the past twenty years.
• Responsibilities while a VIP have included developing and participating in a score of special programs and interpretive events.
• Interpretive experience at Gettysburg, Antietam, Harper’s Ferry, the National Mall, Minuteman, and other National Park Service sites.
• Conceived and developed “Strangers in Arms” and “Gathering Storm” interpretive programs for Minuteman National Park.
• Served on the steering committee of these two programs, which proved to be the Park’s most successful interpretive programs and led directly to the site receiving increased funding in their interpretive budgets.
Charlestown Historical Society, Charlestown, MA-Speaker/Historical Consultant 2004-Present
Lecture to local historical society on topics related to the connection of the U.S. Military to Charlestown and the greater Boston MA area.
Advise on proper care of historical artifacts in the care of the Charlestown Historical Society.
Education
North Bennet Street School, 2010-2012
Certification in Cabinet and Fine Furniture Making.
George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 1999-2001
Master of Arts in American History. My academic success led to my appointment to Phi Alpha Theta, the national honour society in the field of history.
Hampden Sydney College, Hampden Sydney, VA 1984-1989
BA History and English.
Awards and Honours
Phi Alpha Theta-National Honour Society for history following graduation Cum Laude from George Mason University.
Honorary Member of Easy Company 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment-The veteran’s group for E/506 the “Band of Brothers.”
Honorary Member of the Regiment-Award presented to civilians by the active duty 506th Infantry Regiment.
Recognised by Currahee Military Museum and Camp Toccoa at Currahee with memorial plaque remembering role in Save the Stable Project.