The Team - Leadership
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Elizabeth Varner
Chief of the Coast Guard's Office of Cultural HeritageElizabeth Varner is an attorney, an Adjunct Professor, and serves on the arbitration roster for FINRA and the Court of Arbitration for Art, the Hague. She has co-authored books, edited journals, and provided numerous lectures on legal, ethical, and business issues impacting museums, cultural heritage, scientific collections, and even armed conflict. She brings to the command prior experience serving on the FBI Art Crime team and as curator (policy and liaison) for the Department of Interior and has previously served as the executive director of two museums.
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Kennedy R. Hickman
National Coast Guard Museum Director (Acting)Mr. Hickman 25 years of experience as a museum professional. He joined the National Coast Guard Museum in 2022 as deputy director. Prior to Coast Guard, he served as Director of the Penn State All-Sports Museum for 16 years. Previous positions include curator/historian and development director with the USS Constellation Museum in Baltimore and curator at the American Merchant Marine Museum. He earned an MA from University of Delaware and an MLIS from Drexel University. He's held leadership positions with the Small Museum Association and various committees with the American Alliance of Museums and the American Association for State and Local History. Mr. Hickman has published on a variety of naval and military topics and appeared on multiple History Channel programs.
The Team - Executive
The Executive Team is the operational hub of the entire National Coast Guard Museum unit. Featuring both civilians and military personnel, every other NCGM office can be found administratively under the Executive Team.
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Deputy Director, Operations
BMCS Joshua D. Folckemer
Responsibilities include oversight of the National Coast Guard Museum facilities, exhibits and programs, military Active Duty for Operational Support (ADOS) personnel and contract operations.
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Executive Assistant
PO2 Daniel J. Kohner
Responsibilities include writing all GS position descriptions, recruitment, and all administrative functions on the National Coast Guard Museum team.
The Team - Contracting & Accounting
Contracting and Accounting serves as the economic heart of all NCGM operations. From day-to-day purchases to large-scale funding and budgeting, Contracting and Accounting helps to ensure that the museum project financially stays on track.
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Head of Planning
CPO Otto P. Schlicht, BS, MS
Responsibilities include oversight of planning, contracting and budget as well as serves as the team environmental and construction subject matter expert.
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Head of Accounting
Ivette R. Peterson
Responsibilities include review and oversight of all financial data, budget and reports for senior management and leadership.
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COR & Contracting Support
PO2 Michelle C. Taylor
Responsibilities include contacting officer representative (COR), contracting weekly updates, procurement requests and budget.
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COR & Contracting Support
PO2 Alexus R. Hardy, BS
Responsibilities include contacting officer representative (COR), contract project management and grant support.
Creed of the United States Coast Guardsman
I revere that long line of expert seamen who by their devotion to duty and sacrifice of self have made it possible for me to be a member of a service honored and respected, in peace and in war, throughout the world.
The Team – Exhibits & Programs
The Exhibits and Programs team is the creative arm of the NCGM unit. Working on projects such as interior and exhibit design, narrative development and historical research, Exhibits and Programs serves to bring the Coast Guard’s story to the public.
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Director of Exhibits and Programs
Kyle R. Bernard, MDes
Responsibilities include oversight and daily operations of the Exhibits and Programs department.
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Deputy of Exhibits, Programs & Public Affairs
CPO Emaia M. Rise, BFA
Responsibilities include support to the Exhibits & Programs and Public Affairs department heads as well as branding for the National Coast Guard Museum.
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Museum Curator
Gabriel T. Christy, MFA
Responsibilities include the management of the exhibit artifacts, research, outreach and spearheading a living history program.
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Museum Historian
PO3 Andrew J. Tompkins, MPS, PhD
Responsibilities include historical research, writing for various audiences and purposes as well as public outreach, editing, revising and finalizing the narrative outline.
The Team – CG Museum Facilities, Grant Management & Public Affairs
Our Facilities, Grants Management and Public Affairs teams embody versatility while functioning in areas as diverse as government funding, community outreach, online communications, and security.
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Director of Facilities, Engineering & Security
Douglas X. Holland, BA
Responsibilities include coordinating the USCG’s exhibition fabrication within the NCGMA’s building design. The role oversees environmental compliance, permitting, and licensing to facilitate the construction of each phase of the museum construction as well as security and engineering oversight. -
Grant Manager
LCdr Charlayne C. Holliday
Responsibilities include administration, policy, and procedures for the award and management of the Congressionally-directed $50M construction grant. Serves as grant SME and coordinates with all internal and external stakeholders.
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Head of Public Affairs
Renee C. Coleman, MART
Responsibilities include providing strategic communication oversight to the NCGM’s internal and external information programs to meet the various needs in consonance with the overall mission and policies of the museum.
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Visual Information Specialist
Dwight A. Martino, BSBA
Responsibilities include the development, operation, production, and maintenance of the official NCGM website and social media platforms.
Join the National Coast Guard Team
Internships
The Museum will offer a limited number of internships each year to qualified students.
Volunteer
Stay tuned for volunteer opportunities for service on the National Coast Guard Museum Team as docents, tour guides, and involvement in many of our different events and programs.