Russell S. Daws, President and Chief Executive Officer, has directed the organization since 1990. His commitments to helping people gain a better understanding about their history and role in nature have been demonstrated through the Museum and far beyond.
Russell Daws serves on numerous boards and advisory committees, including the Florida Association of Museums, the Leon County Tourist Development Council, and the Big Bend Scenic Byway Corridor Management Entity.
Mr. Daws is a museum accreditation reviewer for the American Alliance of Museums. He has served as a grant reviewer for the Institute of Museum and Library Services in Washington, D.C., and as a grant panelist for the State of Florida’s Museum grant programs.
Mr. Daws has provided leadership roles to the Florida Association of Museums Foundation, the Tallahassee Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Leon County Tourist Development Council, and Visit Florida’s Cultural Heritage Tourism Committee, serving as board chairman for those organizations. He has contributed board and advisory service to a variety of organizations, including the Claude Pepper Center/Foundation, FSU Museum Studies Program, 4H, the Girl Scouts, Junior League, and several national museum boards, civic organizations, and publications. He has also been an adjunct faculty member for Antioch College, Temple University, and FSU.
Before arriving in Tallahassee, Mr. Daws served in several leadership positions with the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, where he worked for 15 years. Since arriving with his family, Mr. Daws has guided significant enhancements to the Tallahassee Museum’s facilities and programs.
Board of Trustees
Chairman:
Eryn Calabro, Senior Management & Budget Analyst, Leon County Office of Management and Budget
First Vice Chairman:
Larry Kubiak, Psychologist, Tallahassee Memorial Behavioral Health Center
Second Vice Chair:
Secretary:
Amy Groff, Human Resources Executive
Treasurer:
Tre’ Warren, Financial Advisor and Research Analyst, First Franklin Financial Services
Immediate Past Chairman:
Claude C. Lilly, Retired College President
Ex-Officio Trustee:
Malinda Horton, Executive Director, Florida Association of Museums
Members at Large:
Lauren Applewhite, Community Volunteer
George Avant, Managing Partner, Avant Huston Financial Group
Allen McConnaughhay, Attorney, Fonvielle, Lewis, Messer & McConnaughhay
Ana Melendez, CEO/Owner, A&E Wholesale
Richard Moore, CFO/General Counsel, part owner, Moore, Inc.
Kim Ortloff, Founder and CEO of Kim Ortloff Massage & Flexibility Therapy
Mike Rupp, Owner, RAGZ
Nancy Stepina-Robison, Retired, Sr. Advisor, Emeritus, EMT Consulting Group
Ken Silvestri, Owner, Silvestri Construction Inc.
Kimberly Smiley, Market President, Centennial Bank
Rob Vickers, Staff Director, Florida Senate Transportation Committee
Abbey Watt, Community Volunteer, Thomasville, GA