The Sioux City Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center/Betty Strong Encounter Center (“the Center”) announces a reorganization of its staff. The staffing changes, effective July 1, occur in the wake of Sara Olson’s resignation as Assistant Director as she pursues opportunities elsewhere. With the exit of Olson, Center Management has taken the opportunity to reimagine a staffing structure to support its evolving long-term goals.
“Sara is the Center’s most senior employee and has helped tremendously with continuity over the past few years of staff turnover,” says Executive Director Tracy Bennett. “Sara’s work touched nearly every aspect of the Center’s operations, and she’s reliably contributed to our success, most notably by leading our children’s programming efforts. We will miss her.”
Theresa Jackson, who has been the Center’s Tour Guide/Administrative Assistant for the past three years, will assume the role of Assistant Director. In this position, Jackson will produce year-round programs and activities and manage community outreach. She will also be the primary assistant to the Executive Director in all Center operations and direct all activities in the Executive Director’s absence, among other duties.
Kim Mathers, the Center’s Media Specialist since April 2022, has accepted the position of Communications Director, a 20-hour-per-week role. Mathers is responsible for managing the Center’s online presence, leading the organization’s new Navigators diversity program, and directing all marketing and communications efforts.
The Center has created a new position that it has not yet filled, that of Education Coordinator. The new position will be a full-time, non-exempt role focused primarily on creating and executing high-quality, impactful children’s programming. Details about the new position are available on the Center’s website.
Says Bennett, “This staffing reorganization comes on the heels of the addition of Lori Tagg Snow as Development Director in October of 2022. Joe Hlas remains as Facility Manager, a position he has held since 2021. With this team in place and with a new website designed to better represent the direction we envision, we are well-prepared to steer the Center toward the future with more diverse programming options, opportunities for community collaborations and greater fundraising capabilities.”
