A bit about me... Hello and thanks for visiting. I am an independent consultant and founder of The Museum Consulting Company. I have been working in museums for all of my adult life-professionally for over 35 years-most recently as the CEO of a large living history museum complex. Prior to this, my professional journey has taken me through many kinds of museums and positions within them, giving me a well-rounded view of museumland. In the academic realm, I have led museum studies programs at Michigan State University and Kent State University, founded the experimental MuseLab, and have taught all aspects of museum studies. Always curious about foundations and assumptions, I have done research on the meaning of museum objects, conceptual foundations of museums as document systems, numinous experiences in museums, user perceptions of ‘the real thing,’ and, most recently, positive museology. I have co-authored three books: Foundations of Museum Studies (with John Simmons), Objects of Experience (with Elee Wood), and Flourishing in Museums (with Brenda Cowan). I also love to make things in addition to writing. My latest creative adventure involves making tiny museum scenes, which I call 'cabinets.'
If you would like to see my professional vita, go to the CV tab and if you are curious about my little cabinets, you can link to them through the Creations tab. For interest in consulting or lectures, navigate to the Consulting tab and let's have a chat.