The Center’s Beating Heart
The team behind the scenes
Tracy Bennett
Executive Director
Tracy refers to herself as the Center’s “Chief Cook and Bottle Washer.” She finds herself in all types of jobs daily from welcoming the over 35,000 visitors annually to the Center to doing the last-minute laundry, to working on grants that support the Center’s operations to the next fiscal year. Stop by and visit her: she will always have a smile waiting for you!
Theresa Jackson
Administrative Assistant
Theresa was an English Instructor at Western Iowa Tech Community College for close to 30 years and came to work at the Center after taking early retirement.
While her degrees are in English, history was her second love; she has now read the majority of the books in the Center’s Lewis and Clark research library.
Theresa produces year-round programs and activities and manages community outreach. She primarily an assistant to the Executive Director in all Center operations but assists all the staff with various projects.
Lori Tagg Snow
Development Director
Lori has an extensive background in sales, marketing, grant writing and relationship building. This experience serves the Center well in her dealings with businesses and guests and asking for sponsorships to help sustain our business. As the grant writer, she is responsible for tracking data and reporting results for grant funds awarded. She has a strong aptitude for learning on the fly and producing positive results.
Lori’s work is focused on building the relationships that will lay a foundation for the Center to thrive long-term.
Joe Hlas
Facility Manager
Joe has farmed and continues to do so for 35 years. During slow farm seasons, he has worked for a construction company and another Siouxland nonprofit.
Since 2021, Joe has been responsible for the daily maintenance and upkeep of the Center and its campus. In addition, he designed and installed the staging areas of the Center’s York animatronic, computer game and puzzle table.
Joe finds joy in discovering how things work and repairing them when he can, or finding someone else to do so when he can’t. He is motivated by a desire to keep the Center looking fresh and new.
Amanda Gibson
Education Coordinator
Amanda was raised in Emmetsburg but has lived in Sioux City for the past 24 years. She graduated from the University of South Dakota in December 2021 with a B.A. in History and a minor in Education. Her primary research focus is the Early American Republic and the Atlantic World.
When she isn’t researching or teaching, Amanda coaches Speech, Drama and Debate for Sioux City West High School, and spends time with her two sons, Oliver (10) and Julian (6).
In her capacity as the Center’s Education Coordinator, Amanda designs and executes children’s programs, works with the “visitor experience” operations and helps the Executive and Assistant Directors plan and coordinate events and promotions.