With the completion and opening of the Scott Family Amazeum less than three months away, the organization has ramped up its staff.
Randy Graham has been named director of guest services, and Kelsey Howard has is the new school and community programs manager.
“Final preparations are being made as we approach our opening on July 15,” said Sam Dean, Amazeum executive director. “These additions to our staff round out an incredible team of individuals who each bring a specific skill set to the interactive exhibits at the Amazeum, engaging the imagination of children and their families throughout the region.”
As director of guest services, Graham is responsible for leading the vision, launch and sustainability of the Scott Family Amazeum’s front-line team, which includes admissions, store, café and other business centers.
He comes to the Amazeum from Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, where he served as group tour manager. In this role, he oversaw the development and management of the group tour program while collaborating with guest services, education, culinary, curatorial, and trails and grounds aspects of the museum.
Prior to museum work, Graham served as parks and recreation director for the City of Lamar in Missouri. His experience also includes speaking, consulting and ministry positions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas.
As school and community programs manager, Howard oversees the development and delivery of programming for Amazeum guests, schools and community groups, and will be responsible for daily activities in the Hershey’s Lab.
Prior to joining the Amazeum, she worked at John Brown University in Siloam Springs as an adjunct professor and reading and writing specialist. She also has several years of work and volunteer experience in numerous museums such as the Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa, Okla., and the Courtauld Gallery in London.
Before settling in Northwest Arkansas, Howard and her husband, Jordan, lived in South Korea, working as ESL elementary school teachers. Upon receiving the Ralph R. Kirchner scholarship through Rotary Club District 6110, Howard continued her studies in London at the Courtauld Institute of Art, where she earned her master’s degree in the history of art.