Navy UDT-SEAL Museum :|: Museum Staff

MUSTER XXIV
November 07, 2009

> Museum Staff

ADDITIONS TO STAFF The National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum has added three new members to the staff to fill vacancies and to compliment the expanding programs at the museum.

CAPT. Michael R. Howard, USN SEAL, Ret., Executive Director
Born in Jacksonville, Florida in 1955, Mike was raised in Coastal Georgia and South Carolina and graduated from The Citadel in 1977. He served in the U. S. Navy and Naval Special Warfare from 1977 to 2003, retiring in 2003 to North Carolina and then to Ft. Pierce, Florida where he assumed the role of Executive Director of The National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum. His Navy career included service aboard the USN destroyer USS John R. Craig (DD-885) followed by a tour on the nuclear powered guided missile cruiser USS Bainbridge (CGN -25). He was Class Leader of BUD/S Class 114 and graduated in September 1981. He served at SEAL Team One, SDV Team One (Detachment Hawaii), NSWU-1(Republic of the Philippines), NSWG-1 (Desert Shield/Storm), SBR-1, US Special Operations Command and Naval Sea Systems Command. He commanded Special Boat Unit Twelve and Special Boat Squadron Two. In 1999 he earned a Master’s Degree in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. In 2002 he continued his education with graduation from the Defense Acquisition University’s course in Advanced Program Management and served as Program Manager for SEAL programs at NAVSEA.

Ruth McSween, Curator
Born in Welch, West Virginia, Ruth is proud to be a coalminer's daughter. She moved to Fort Pierce, Florida in 1969. As curator, Ruth McSween is responsible for adding new donations to the museum's artifact collection and tracking loans for artifacts to other museums. Her work includes corresponding with prospective donors, cataloging new acquisitions, and keeping track of the museum's collection. She is responsible for overseeing and documenting all aspects of the collection, including physical organization, storage and preservation, cataloguing, digitization and access. She leads the development of exhibitions, and plays an important role in crafting the visitor experience and the future direction of the Museum.

Ruth holds a Master of Arts degree in Museum Studies from University of Newcastle upon Tyne, England and a Bachelors of Arts degree in History from Florida Atlantic University. She is a member of the American Association of Museums (AAM), Florida Association of Museums (FAM), Florida Trust for Historical Preservation, Museums Association (United Kingdom), The Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC), American Association for State and Local History (AASLH), National Society of Collegiate Scholars, The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society, Saint Lucie County Historical Society, and the Sunrise Theatre.

Rolf Snyder, Marketing/Media Director - Hailing from Leawood, KS, Rolf is the Museum’s resident Jayhawk! As Marketing and Media Director, Rolf is responsible for the Museum’s advertising, public & media relations, and marketing strategy. His work includes Corporate Development, E-Net, Public Affairs, Muster Planning, Theme-ing, Photography, and in-house Counsel. He also provides the staff with free, up to the minute, updates on everything KU Basketball related.

After studying at the University of Bonn in Germany, Rolf graduated from the University of Kansas, with BAs in German and Psychology. After taking some time off to work, Rolf returned to University of Kansas where he earned his law degree and MBA. Upon graduation, Rolf accepted a job in Wiesbaden, Germany and then attended the Ecole Supérieure de Commerce in Clermont-Ferrand, France where he received his MIM. Rolf is also an alumni of The Hague Academy of International Law in The Hague,Netherlands. Currently, Rolf is also the IT Director for the National World War One Museum, President of Real Estate Corporation, Inc., President of Global Perspectives Advisory Group, and a practicing attorney.

Suzi Howard joined the Museum staff in the much needed capacity as the Education Coordinator in May 2008. Her School Outreach programs made an immediate impact with the highest July Museum attendance figures ever, a result of her efforts to bring in summer school groups, camps and club organizations. Suzi grew up in a Navy family and is married to a career SEAL. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience about "The Teams" to the Museum staff. She was always heavily involved with SEAL command activities that supported the families of the active duty personnel. She has worked in several different school districts as a teacher assistant, resource specialist, family advocate, in special behavioral classes and served on a Principal's Councils for Special Education Accreditation. In 2001 she was awarded the Civilian Meritorious Public Service Award for her efforts in helping the active duty families of Special Boat Squadron Two (now Naval Special Warfare Group Three). Suzi brings a great deal of enthusiasm, positive energy and ideas to our new Education Department and has been a great addition to your Museum staff.

Marisa Moffett is the Museum’s “Jack of all Trades”. Born and raised in Chesterland Ohio, Marisa now calls the Treasure Coast home. Marisa is in charge of the Museum’s Store, editing the Museum’s quarterly publication “Fire in the Hole”, and manages various programs and activities including the Memorial Brick Program and Museum Memberships, and a host of other things far too many to list here.

Marisa is the proud mother of 4 children ranging from five to sixteen, and as such, there is very little that catches her off guard and unprepared. Equally, Marisa is an organizational goddess, herding all of the other staff members and keeping the Museum machine running at maximum efficiency. Before coming to the Museum, Marisa worked extensively in the legal field as both a paralegal and deputy court clerk. Among her many talents, Marisa also has experience in health care and administration.

Don Johnson is our Facility Manager. He has the task of maintaining and improving the appearance of the Museum. He will also work with the Parks & Recreation Department of Saint Lucie County on projects for the upkeep of the Museum. In 1989 Don retired from LTV Steel in Cleveland, OH. During that time, he also bred and showed Arabian horses until 1995. He moved to Florida that year in search of warmer winters. He has been married for forty-five years, has two daughters and eight grandchildren.