Staff
Executive Leadership

Richard Banz, D.Ed.
Executive Director
Dr. Richard Banz serves as the Executive Director of the Southern Museum and the Kennesaw Museum Foundation. He holds a Doctorate in adult education from Pennsylvania State University, a Master’s degree in history from the University of Maryland, and a Bachelor’s degree in social science education from Towson State University. Prior to the Southern Museum, Dr. Banz held positions at the York College of Pennsylvania, York County Heritage Trust, and Baltimore Museum of Industry. He is also a past president of the Alliance of Pennsylvania County Historical Societies. Dr. Banz has had several works published, including Adult Education in Cultural Institutions: Libraries, Museums, Parks, and Zoos (Handbook of Adult Education), Self-Directed Learning: Implications for Museums (Journal of Museum Education) and Transportation in York County Before the Automobile (York County Heritage Trust).

Jeffrey Richardson
Director of Operations
Mr. Jeffrey Richardson is the Director of Operations at the Southern Museum. He is responsible for planning, managing, and directing daily museum operations. Richardson received undergraduate degrees in business administration and history from the University of Florida and a Master’s degree in history from Georgia Southern University. He previously served as curator of exhibits for the Farmington Museum System in New Mexico and the curator of western history, popular culture, and firearms at the Autry Museum of the American West in Los Angeles. Richardson has appeared as an expert commentator on numerous television programs and has published books and articles on a variety of historical topics, including Colt: The Revolver of the American West and Howard Hughes and the Creation of Modern Hollywood.
Key Staff
Dustin Klein
Archivist
Ben Baughman
Curator
Michelle Newman
Retail Services Coordinator
Nichole Alexander
Events Coordinator
Kris Allen
Tour and Volunteer Coordinator
Joshua Trower
Education Program Coordinator
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Early Childhood Educator