I have had a passion for history for as long as I can remember! The stories of the people that came before us have always fascinated me because they have made us who we are today. From visiting old cemeteries with my father to conducting a mini-archaeological dig with my stepdaughter, I have always loved “digging” up history. Whether it’s literally digging in the dirt or “digging” through old, public records, there are numerous stories to be found and told.

I received my B.A. in Anthropology and Psychology from the Ohio State University and went on to receive an M.A. in Higher Education Administration. I worked fourteen years in higher education and decided that I needed to go back to my true love, history! I went on to obtain a M.A. in History with a concentration in Public History and have spent the remainder of my career working in a local government repository. My experience working in a local government repository has provided me an opportunity to “mine” public records in order to tell the stories of the people who came before us. I have had the opportunity to conduct genealogical and property research projects over the last fifteen years. I am a gubernatorial appointee to the Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board (OHRAB) and have been since 2019. This Board appointment has provided me an opportunity to supervise a fellowship program which aims to locate, manumission and freedom papers of formerly enslaved individuals throughout the state of Ohio. My career as a public historian has allowed me the opportunity to tell the stories of under-represented people who have long been forgotten.

My experience working in a local government repository has proven that I am a results-driven Records Manager and Archivist. I have over ten years of experience in digital archiving, electronic records management, and compliance monitoring. I have a proven track record in transitioning legacy systems to modern digital platforms, optimizing workflows, and leading large-scale data migration projects. My records management experience also allowed me to become adept at leveraging technology to enhance accessibility, security, and organizational efficiency. I have a thorough understanding of both the Ohio Revised Code and the Ohio Sunshine Laws and enjoy working with departments, organizations, and agencies to ensure they are in compliance.

Published Works and Training Development

● Developed training manuals and e-learning modules on digital records management and preservation.
● “Discovering the Need for Electronic Record Preservation and an Archives Management System: The Year That We Implemented Both ArchivesSpace and reservica” in Recordsand Information Management, 3rd Edition, Patricia Franks, American Library Association, 2025.
● Co-facilitated a webinar for NAGARA, “Bringing History Home: Educational Outreach Using Local Government Records” (2025).
● Facilitated a webinar for NAGARA, “Excavating Records of Past Disasters: A Blueprint for Historical Preservation” (2021).
● Co-presenter at a virtual program for the Cleveland AfricanAmerican Genealogy Chapter on finding manumission records in the State of Ohio (2021).
● Co-presenter at the NAGARA Annual Conference in Minneapolis, MN, and a webinar, “Beyond Schoolhouse Rock: The Journey from an Idea to Law. How Local Archivists Successfully Advocated for State Law” (2019 & 2020).
● Co-presenter of a pre-conference workshop at the NAGARA Annual Conference in Washington D.C. and Minneapolis, MN, “Social Media: The Records Management Challenge” (2018 & 2019).
● Facilitated a workshop sponsored by OHRAB, “Bringing HistoryHome: Educational Outreach Using Local Government Records” at Wright State and Kent State Universities (2016 & 2018).
● Facilitated a pre-conference workshop at the NAGARA Annual Conference in Washington D.C., “Bringing History Home: Educational Outreach Using Local Government Records” (2018).