Laura Garcia-Culler

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer 

912.651.2125

Ms. Garcia-Culler is a graduate of the University of Virginia and has nearly 20 years of local, state, and national nonprofit management experience.  She is responsible for the Society's human resources, finance, information technology, development, and administrative operations.  Prior to joining GHS in 2003, she was deputy director of the Savannah Music Festival, deputy director for operations of the National Immigration Forum on Capitol Hill, an English professor in Valencia, Spain, and a consultant for a Washington, DC-based firm to the U.S. Department of Defense.

Dr. Stan Deaton

Senior Historian

912.651.2125, ext. 115

Dr. Deaton, a Georgia native, holds a bachelor's (journalism) and master's (history) degree from the University of Georgia, and a Ph.D. in history from the University of Florida, where he taught prior to joining GHS.  He serves as managing editor and book review editor for the organization's award-winning publication, The Georgia History Quarterly.  Dr. Deaton also works closely with the President and Library and Archives staff to develop the archival holdings at GHS.  Dr. Deaton has written articles and book reviews for such publications as The New Georgia Encyclopedia, the Journal of Southern History, and the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography.  He is a frequent lecturer on a wide variety of historical subjects. Dr. Deaton is also host of Today in Georgia History, a joint collaboration of the Georgia Historical Society and Georgia Public Broadcasting.

Dr. Glenn McNair

Consultant 

Editor, Georgia Historical Quarterly

Christy Crisp

Director of Programs

912.651.2125, ext. 117

Ms. Crisp is responsible for management of the Society's Historical Marker and Affiliate Chapter programs, as well as educational and outreach programs for both adults, school children, and teachers.  She holds an undergraduate degree in international relations from Samford University in Birmingham, Ala., and an M.A. in history from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va.  Prior to joining GHS she worked in historical interpretation at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello in Charlottesville, Va.

William Hanley

Historical Marker Coordinator

912.651.2125, ext. 122

Mr. Hanley works as a consultant with GHS, coordinating the Historical Marker Program.  He is responsible for conducting a field survey that includes confirmation of marker locations, identification of missing and damaged markers, documentation of marker subjects and text, etc. that will help to inform the development of new historical markers.  Mr. Hanley holds a B.A. in history from Auburn University and is currently completing his thesis requirement for his M.A. in historic preservation from the University of Georgia.  Prior to joining the Society he worked as a project manager, preserving and restoring built environments in both Savannah and Boston, in addition to work with cultural preservation in Eastern Europe. 

Mr. Hanley's travels through Georgia to survey the States Historical Markers have been documented in GHS Marker blog. To read up on his adventures and view images and video from the road, click here .

Sophia Lee

Education Coordinator

912.651.2125, ext. 152

Katharine Rapkin

Research Specialist

912.651.2125, ext. 121

Katharine Rapkin is a Research Specialist at GHS and is dedicated to developing program content for the Today in Georgia History project. She is responsible for selecting (and acquiring rights to) historical images to support the written content of television and Web products. Ms. Rapkin holds a master’s degree in library and information science from Florida State University and undergraduate degree in English from the University of Nebraska. Prior to joining GHS in her current capacity, she worked as a reference librarian and editor.

Charles Snyder

Program Coordinator

912.651.2125, ext. 140

Mr. Snyder is responsible for implementation of the Society's Affiliate Chapter program, as well as working closely with the Director of Programs on educational and outreach programs for both adults and school children and teachers. Mr. Snyder holds a B.A. in Media Arts from the University of South Carolina in Columbia.  Prior to joining GHS, he was Assistant to the Dean of Graduate Studies at the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Alison Zielenbach

Imaging Services Specialist

912.651.2125

Ms. Zielenbach is an Imaging Services Specialist at GHS focused on developing program content for the Today in Georgia History project. She selects (and acquires the rights to) historical images to support the written content of television and Web products. Ms. Zielenbach holds a postgraduate degree in English Literature from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. Prior to joining GHS, she worked as a business journalist and television producer.

Brandy Mai

Director of Communications

912.651.2125, ext. 114

Ms. Mai is responsible for the Society's communication strategies, media relationships, marketing materials and promotions. She is a graduate of Northwestern State University in Louisiana and joins GHS with nearly 15 years of journalism and marketing experience. Prior to joining GHS, she worked as a military journalist, marketing writer/editor and federal contract investigator for the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

Brian Williams

Communications Coordinator

912.651.2125, ext. 131

Mr. Williams is the Communications Coordinator at GHS, and is Editor of Georgia History Today, GHS's newsmagazine. He is responsible for assisting the Director of Communications in implementing communications strategies, writing and distributing press releases and other communications, producing Headlines, a biweekly e-newsletter, and providing support to GHS programs and events. Prior to joining GHS as a staff member, he served as an intern working on heritage tourism and Civil War 150 projects. Mr. Williams holds a bachelor's degree in public relations, with a minor in history, from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and has studied tourism at the University of South Carolina Beaufort.

Nora Lewis
Director of Library and Archives
912.651.2125, ext. 118

Ms. Lewis is responsible for the management and operations of the Library and Archives Division of GHS. She works closely with development and adminstrative staff to enhance access to GHS collections and diversify holdings. Ms. Lewis holds a master's degree in library and information science with a concentration in archival studies and a B.A. in religious studies from the University of Pittsburgh.  Prior to joining GHS she held positions at the University of Pittsburgh Archives, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, and the Rio Rancho Public Library (NM). 

Shenae Hennagir Barkas

Reference Assistant

912.651.2125, ext. 150

Ms. Hennagir Barkas is a Reference Assistant at GHS and is responsible for patron reference requests and information services in the Library's Reading Room. Ms. Hennagir Barkas is a recent graduate of Syracuse University, with a Master's degree in Library and Information Science and a Certificate in Cultural Heritage Preservation. She joins GHS with over 10 year's experience in customer and informational support.

Lynette Stoudt
Senior Archivist and Archivist for the Savannah Jewish Archives
912.651.2125, ext. 134

Ms. Stoudt administers all activities relating to description, preservation, and access of GHS's archival collections. She also serves as the archivist for the Savannah Jewish Archives, a deposit collection at GHS. Ms. Stoudt holds a Masters in Library and Information Science, with an emphasis on Archival Studies, from San Jose State University in California.  Prior to joining GHS she was an archivist at the Bancroft Library at the University of California, Berkeley, and an archivist and records management consultant with an international consulting firm and worked in the Special Collections libraries of the University of California in Irvine and San Diego.   

Kathy Boyd

Assistant to the President

912.651.2125, ext. 110

Ms. Boyd is the Assistant to the President, providing support to both the executive office and the office operations team. Prior to joining GHS, Ms. Boyd spent over twenty years working for corporate executives in manufacturing and land development. Her office experience has been in sales, production, and human resources.  

Steve Davis

Facilities Manager

912.651.2125, ext. 199

Mr. Davis is the GHS Facilities Manager and is responsible for ensuring proper operation of all aspects of GHS facilities including maintenance of the buildings and grounds. He holds a B.S. in Design and Engineering from the Rochester Institute of Technology and studied Industrial Design post college. Mr. Davis began taking apart things and fixing them at an early age and has held various facilities positions throughout his career including work for Hilton Worldwide.

Karen Dietz

Staff Accountant

912.651.2125, ext. 111

Ms. Dietz is the Staff Accountant at GHS.  She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Florida and a Masters of Business Administration from Georgia Southern University.  Ms. Dietz has over 15 years of both public and private accounting experience and prior to joining GHS worked for Chatham Steel Corporation and for the University of Florida’s School of Architecture.

Karen Hastings

Operations Assistant

912.651.2125, ext. 127

Ms. Hastings is the Operations Assistant at the Georgia Historical Society. She is responsible for bookkeeping, database management, and assisting with office operations. Ms. Hastings holds a B.S. in management from the University of Phoenix. She joins GHS with experience in accounting, customer service, and management. 

Leanda Rix

Director of Grants and Special Projects

Ms. Rix is responsible for the development and management of grants and other funding proposals in support of GHS programs, publications, research services, and general operations.  Ms. Rix has over ten years experience in securing and administering both public sector and private grants awards, including funds awarded through the NEH, IMLS, and NHPRC among a variety of other federal departments.  Her background includes research, policy analysis, program development and evaluation, community affairs, and the delivery of technical assistance in the administration of federal grants to non-profit organizations.  Ms. Rix holds a Bachelors degree in global studies and religion from Azusa Pacific University and a Masters in urban and regional planning from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

Caroline Stevens

Development Officer

912.651.2125, ext. 116

Caroline Stevens is the Development Officer for the Georgia Historical Society.  Prior to joining GHS, Caroline worked for Coxe Curry & Associates in Atlanta, assisting on capital campaigns, feasibility studies, and annual fund campaigns for clients including Grady Health System, Glisson Camp & Retreat Center, Hillside, and A.G. Rhodes Health & Rehab.  Caroline holds a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising and Sociology from The University of Georgia and a Master’s in Fundraising and Philanthropy from New York University.

Torain White

Executive Assistant

912.651.2125, ext. 120

Ms. White is the Executive Assistant at GHS.  She provides support to the Executive Vice President in the areas of development, events, finance, human resources, and office operations.  Ms. White joins GHS with over 15 years of human resource and administrative experience in various industries including insurance, real estate, and information technology. 

Maggie Brewer

Intern, Today in Georgia History

912.651.2125

Ms. Brewer is a Research Intern at GHS, and is dedicated to assisting in the development of resources associated with the Today in Georgia History program. Maggie is a recent graduate from the University of Georgia with a B.A in History.

Erin LaHaise

Intern, Today in Georgia History

912.651.2125

Ms. LaHaise is a Research Intern at GHS, and is dedicated to assisting in the development of resources associated with the Today in Georgia History program. She also provides support to the Communications Department. She is currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in history, with a concentration in European history, at Armstrong Atlantic State University.

Elise LaPaglia

Intern, Today in Georgia History

912.651.2125, ext. 151

Ms. LaPaglia is a Research Intern at GHS, and is dedicated to assisting in the development of resources associated with the Today in Georgia History program. She also provides logistical, research, and clerical support to the GHS Senior Historian and Research Specialist. Elise is a fourth-year architecture student at the Savannah College of Art and Design whose interest in Georgia history has led her to explore the GHS collections.

Candice Leite

Intern, Archives

912.651.2125

Ms. Leite is an Archive Intern at GHS, and is dedicated to the archival processing of GHS collections. Candice has studied architecture and historic preservation at Savannah College of Art and Design and is currently obtaining her M.F.A. in Historic Preservation at SCAD. Prior to interning at GHS she worked in the field of preservation at a local non-profit and in Wyoming with the National Park Service: Western Center for Historic Preservation.  

Bill Vollono

Intern, Communications

912.651.2125

Mr. Vollono is a Communications Intern at GHS. He provides support to the Communications Department in the form of research and analysis of special projects, and support of day-to-day operations. William is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, and holds a B.A. in English. Prior to interning at GHS he worked with several different D.C. area nonprofit organizations, as well as assisting classroom instruction in the Washington, D.C. Public School System.