Interim Museum Manager

Current Profession: Realtor with Legacy Properties

Hobbies: I am a member of 2 lineage societies including Daughters of the American Revolution where I actively serve at the chapter and state levels. In my spare time, I am a beekeeper in my family's apiary called Peace in the Valley located in Sugar Valley, Georgia. I also sing with a very talented local band, KAMP (Kevin Allen Music Productions).

I moved to the Rome area in 2008 from my hometown in Gordon County. My husband, Todd, and I are avid lovers of history and are pleased to serve Chieftains in any capacity. I am a graduate of Shorter University and enjoy giving back to my community. In addition to Chieftains, I also serve on the Board of Adjustments and Historic Preservation committees for the City of Rome/Floyd County, and I am the Local Chair of the Distinguished Young Women of Floyd County Scholarship Program.

I support Chieftains because the Major Ridge Home is a tangible part of our local history as well as the history of our nation. We are so fortunate to live in the same area where the earliest of Native Americans, specifically the Cherokee Tribe, lived and thrived. Preserving history is the best way to honor these ancestors and those who walked long before us.

Chieftains matters because not only is it a preservation of the history of Major Ridge and the part that he played in our nation's history, but it stands as a legacy of our community. Chieftains Museum was opened by a strong group of women in the early 1970's, who were passionate about the importance of historic preservation of 19th century Cherokee and the impact it had on this area. Chieftains stands as a result of a labor of love of so many in our community for over half a century and I'm proud to be a part of it.

Assistant Museum Manager

Current Profession: Assistant Manager of Chieftains Museum/ Major Ridge Home, Student at Berry College

Professional Experience: Editor-in-Chief of Ramifications Literary & Arts Magazine, Design Associate and Gallery Assistant at the Moon Gallery at Berry College

Hobbies: I love anything art & crafts related such as needle working, Diamond Dotz, and stationary. I regularly paint and draw outside in my free time, as well as hike and explore the Northwest Georgia area.

I am from Macon, Georgia and museums have been a large part of my childhood. I love art and history museums, as well as obscure museums such as the Hammer Museum in Haines, Alaska. I hope to work in any kind of museum one day either in collections or as a curator.

PRESIDENT

Current Profession: Human Resources Manager at Homegrown Family Foods

Professional Experience: Studied education and anthropology at Auburn University. Worked in education and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Turkmenistan. Worked in international development before moving home to Rome in 2008. This included a decade with CARE USA and CARE International. Worked at Southeastern Mills/Summit Hill Foods for 15 years until joining Homegrown in early 2024.

Hobbies: enjoy reading, travel, taking walks, watching the Braves and our Rome Emperors, involved with First Baptist Church of Rome

Born in GA and moved around some, but primarily grew up in Rome, attended Auburn University. Married to Chris who is originally from Ft Payne, AL. Two cats, Bobby and Rosemary. I lived in Rome for 5 years as a kid, then moved back in 2008.

VICE PRESIDENT

Current Profession: Assistant Director of Day Admission, PK-5 at Darlington School

Professional Experience: Strings teacher 3rd – 8th grade

Hobbies: anything my children are involved in. I am a Deacon and Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church.

I grew up in Charlottesville, VA. I am married to Tripp Bagby, and we have two sons – Will (20) and Chandler (17). I’ve lived in Rome for 30 years this fall. I came to Rome to attend Shorter College (and be close to my grandmother), met my husband and stayed. I love this town!

I grew up in an area full of history, so I am naturally drawn to anything historic. I was introduced to Chieftains through the Junior Service League of Rome, and have enjoyed being a part of it ever since.

TREASURER

Current Profession: Talent Development Specialist for Polk School District

Professional Experience: I’ve worked in education for nearly 20 years with all levels of students from kindergarten to Master’s Level students. I’ve worked for Orange County Public Schools (Orlando, FL), Rome City Schools, University of West Georgia and the University of Georgia. I love helping people of all ages find a passion for learning new things and have presented extensively at local, state, national and international professional and research conferences on the topics of science education, artificial intelligence and machine learning in educations, and gifted education.

Hobbies: As a family we travel extensively, both my children have been to more than 30 countries and I have been to 42 states with a goal of making it to all 50 by age 50.

I have two wonderful boys – Caleb, a student at Darlington and a competitive swimmer, and Aiden, a mechanical engineering major at the University of Kentucky. My husband, Brant, and I have been married for 20 years having met at the church I grew up in (Orlando, FL). Brant is the principal of Anna K. Davie Elementary. We have lived in Rome since 2008, choosing it for its reputation for a wonderful place to raise a family, which we have found to be only the beginning of what makes it great.

I served as president of the Junior Service League of Rome in 2016-2017, and spent time on the Chieftains board as Vice President of JSL in 2015-2016. I also served as the treasurer of both JSL and Chieftains during its transition in 2013-2015, and I am proud to be able to serve this group again as Treasurer.

SECRETARY

Current Profession: Retired educator, special education

Hobbies: knitting, playing mahjonng, training the puppy

I have two wonderful stepchildren & their fabulous spouses, six grandchildren, and two precious dogs.

Current Profession: stay at home parent

Professional Experience: “Seasoned” field trip parent, Junior Service League Sustainer

Hobbies: Reading and watching soccer

I am from Enterprise, AL and have lived in Rome for 16 years. I am married with three kids, two cats and a dog.

Current Profession: Retired Financial Advisor

Hobbies: golf

I am a Native Roman – my family has been in Rome since the 1830s, one of my ancestors owned the Ridge home, and have four grandchildren .

Current Profession: stay at home mom

Professional Experience: former accountant

Hobbies: travel, raising kids, animal rescue, Rome Social Club Service Project Coordinator

I am married to Stewart, and we have three 3 kids and two pets. I was born and raised in Rome, moved away for 30 years then returned 4 years ago.

Current Profession: Retired Dean of College Guidance at Darlington School

Professional Experience: Former President, Southern Association for College Admission Counseling; Board of Directors, National Association for College Admission Counseling; Chairman, Board of Trustees, Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools; Chairman, Board of Directors, South Rome Development Corporation

I am currently serving on the Board of Directors, Rome Symphony Orchestra and the City of Rome Historic Preservation Commission

Hobbies: travel, especially to the United Kingdom, avid reader of spy thrillers, murder mysteries, political dramas, and English novels.

I was born in Rome in 1945. Left after college for Florida (1967-82) and returned in 1982. I have been interested in Cherokee history since childhood. My dad took me to lots of Cherokee sites in Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee

Current Profession: President/CEO of Employment Innovations, Employment Alliances, Hire Transport, and Workforce Holdings

Hobbies: outside activities

I am a sixth generation Roman, married to Jennifer, and have one daughter, Caroline (17) who attends Darlington.

Current Profession: Realtor at Hardy Realty

Professional Experience: Former international event planner

Hobbies: cooking, walking, tennis

I am from Rome and have one child.

Current Profession: Retired after 26 years in Information Technology with Delta Airlines

Professional Experience: I was State Regent of the Georgia State Society NSDAR, 2018-2020, and was elected Honorary State Regent at the end of her term. Since 2014, I have served on the Board of Historic Meadow Garden in Augusta, the farm home of George Walton, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, which is owned and operated by the Georgia State Society, NSDAR.

Hobbies: I have pursued my interests in genealogy, history, education and patriotism through my membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution for 40 years.

I am a native of Rome, and proud to be an 8th generation Georgian. I am pleased to be part of the Chieftains' Board because I believe Chieftains and the Cherokee history of Northwest Georgia is of national interest and significance.

Current Profession: Executive Administrator of Montessori School of Rome

Professional Experience: MBA in Marketing and 6 years banking experience, Leadership Rome Graduate

Hobbies: President of Kiwanis Club of Rome, Rome Little Theater Board Member

I am a Native Roman, married to William Foster, and have two children – Chandler and Gordy.