BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MICHELLE DEAN
Michelle Dean, Executive Director and Founder of Popes Museum Preservation, is inspired daily by what she sees in both people and places. As a literature teacher and public speaker, she knows that every person and place tells a story, and that stories motivate people to dream grander, reach higher and strive longer. Popes Museum is no exception. Using Popes Museum and its stories in a way that strengthens the relationships and the economy of South Georgia is what keeps her focused.
DANIEL DEAN
Daniel Dean, Property Manager, brings a hands on approach to the vision of Popes Museum and Farm. Dan has been married to Michelle for 29 years. Dan recently completed a career as a deputy sheriff. He works with property management and bookkeeping for both the museum and farm sites. Additionally he and Michelle are the parents of four children.
TODD BUTLER
Todd Butler is trial lawyer whose home office is in Cairo, Georgia. He is originally from Pelham, Georgia. He is a Navy veteran, and he claims both Thomas University in Thomasville and Florida State University in Tallahassee as his almae matres. He graduated in 1999 from Mercer’s Walter F. Georgia School of Law in Macon. Todd is an avid supporter of education and the arts in southwest Georgia.
RICHARD CURTIS
Rich Curtis was born and raised in North Alabama. He received his BFA from the University of North Alabama in 2000. After a year of working at the Birmingham Museum of Art, he entered the graduate program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Curtis received his MFA in 2004. He is currently Assistant Professor of Art at Thomas University.
ELLEN M. JETER
Ellen M. Jeter's interest is preservation and it stems from 25yrs of custom framing where she was personally involved with the cleaning and repairing of old family portraits and original paintings. Working with these personal treasures gave her a respect of rare family and community as well as national treasures. When she was asked to join the Popes Museum team, she was honored and excited to be able to use her experience to help preserve such a community and national treasure.
NON-BOARD MEMBERS
KRISTIN BAILEY
Kristin Bailey, Assistant Director. Kristin recently moved to Cairo from Tallahassee, FL. She is a geologist by day, but has a passion for technology and marketing of Popes Museum. She manages the Popes Museum Farm website, all social media accounts, and assists Michelle in planning and implementing activities and events for the museum and farm.
JOHNNY MOORE
Johnny H. Moore is the Senior Pastor of Family Worship Center, a steady growing congregation in Cairo, Georgia. He is also known as a motivator, encourager and equipper of pastors and leaders. He is the founder of AimHi Incorporated, a leadership development company, Ruralpastor.com, a company that develops resources and materials for Rural Pastors and Churches, and the author of three books, “The Pastor’s Corner Collection”, volume one, and volume two, and “Aimin’ High”. Over the past 6 years, under the leadership of Pastor Johnny Moore, Family Worship Center has applied for and received over $3,000,000.00 in grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and has built a 31 unit Senior Adult housing complex called "The Haven".