Ground Control
Meet the dedicated staff at the controls of the Cosmosphere.

Jim Remar
President and Chief Executive Officer
620.665.9310 | jimr@cosmo.org
Favorite Artifact: The White Room
A recognized expert in the areas of museum administration, strategic planning and space artifact preservation and exhibition, Jim Remar began his career in 1997 as executive director of the Mifflinburg Buggy Museum in Mifflinburg, PA.
He joined the Cosmosphere as curator in 2000. After eight years at the Cosmosphere, Remar joined the team at Gregory, Inc as Vice President of Operations. In 2012, Remar returned to the Cosmosphere as President/COO where he was responsible for all operations of the organization, including SpaceWorks, the department of the Cosmosphere responsible for the restoration of artifacts as well as the fabrication of exhibitry and high fidelity replicas. The Cosmosphere’s governing board named Remar CEO of the organization January 2018.
A variety of organizations have benefitted from Remar’s consulting expertise including the White Sands Missile Range Museum, National Air and Space Museum, Fort Bliss Museum, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Oklahoma State Museum of History, the Adler Planetarium and the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum. He has also served as an editor and consultant for several print publications. Remar received his bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science from Washburn University; his master’s degree in museum studies with a minor in history from the University of Nebraska and his mini-MBA from Wichita State University.
"I love the fact that right here, in Hutchinson, Kansas, we have an attraction the likes of which you wouldn’t find in most big cities. I love our world class collection of artifacts related to the exploration of space, including my personal favorite, the White Room. I could go on about why I love working here, but at the end of the day our ability to impact and inspire young minds is why I walk through the front doors every day."
Jim Remar
President and Chief Executive Officer
620.665.9310
jimr@cosmo.org

Steven Birdsall
Senior Vice President of Administration and Chief Financial Officer
620.665.9358
stevenb@cosmo.org
Favorite Artifact: The Apollo 13 Odyssey
Steven Birdsall joined the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center as finance manager in August of 2005. Steven manages the Cosmosphere’s accounting and human resource departments. He also manages the accounting for the Cosmosphere Foundation. Steven began his career in public accounting as a staff accountant/auditor. He received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Kansas State University in 2003. He enjoys the variety in his role at the Cosmosphere along with the inspiration that comes from being part of the organization.
"The Cosmosphere brings variety to the work day that you won’t find anywhere else. If you ever get tired of what you are working on you can take a break and experience the exhibits. I find it inspiring thinking about all the hard work and dedication that went into the space program."
Steven Birdsall
Senior Vice President of Administration and Chief Financial Officer
620.665.9358
stevenb@cosmo.org

Mimi Meridith
Senior Vice President of Communication and Chief Development Officer
620.665.9339
mimim@cosmo.org
Favorite Artifact: Patty Carey’s original planetarium projector
Mimi Meredith oversees the organization’s fundraising efforts. Over the past 25 years, she has held leadership roles in marketing, public relations and development for a variety of organizations in Kansas and Arizona. She is a seasoned communication strategist and has consulted with a variety of nonprofit boards regarding development and effective fund raising. Meredith is a graduate of Cottey College and the University of Kansas School of Journalism. She is certified in fundraising programs through the Institute of Charitable Giving.
"I feel like I’m a professional matchmaker. I get to know people who have a passion for space and delivering learning opportunities to today’s students, and then I show them how they can have a lasting impact in those areas through supporting the Cosmosphere. It’s a relationship that brings them satisfaction and joy, while their commitment and financial support means we have a broader base of advocacy and long term viability. It’s a truly mutually beneficial relationship! I am continually inspired by Patty Carey’s determined and passionate commitment to this place. She was a leader among leaders—a woman who shared her vision in a way that was irresistible and created a resource that will last for generations. I want to follow in those footsteps."
Mimi Meridith
Senior Vice President of Communication and Chief Development Officer
620.665.9339
mimim@cosmo.org

Jack Graber
Vice President of Exhibits and Technology
620.665.9330
jackg@cosmo.org
Favorite Artifact: The Russian Rocket Engine RD-107. “The RD-107 is a beautiful demonstration of power. These engines are still used today to get humans to space, and are a perfect example of timeless technology.”
Jack Graber is the Vice President of Exhibits and Technology at the Cosmosphere. He oversees the museum’s collection and artifacts, the IT infrastructure, SpaceWorks—the Cosmosphere’s restoration and replication division and general building maintenance. Jack began his career with the organization in 1998 as the Technology Director. During his time, Jack has participated in a number of large-scope projects in the museum and for SpaceWorks. Some of the notable projects Jack has been a part of include: the restoration of Liberty Bell 7, Gemini 6, Gemini 10, Gemini 12, Apollo 13 and the V2 rockets. Additionally he has helped build display cases and museum exhibits for other institutions including the Smithsonian, the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, and two international traveling exhibits.
Jack Graber
Vice President of Exhibits and Technology
620.665.9330
jackg@cosmo.org

Joanna Strecker
Vice President of Education
620.665.9319
joannas@cosmo.org
Favorite Artifact: JoAnna Strecker, Vice President of Education, stands in front of a Redstone rocket in the Cold War Gallery.
Joanna Strecker
Vice President of Education
620.665.9319
joannas@cosmo.org

Gage Anthony
Maintenance Associate
Gage Anthony, Maintenance Associate, stands in front of a Mercury spacesuit worn by Wally Schirra on MA-8/Sigma 7.
Gage Anthony

Nick Atanasio
LaunchLearning Project Manager
620-665-9323
nicka@cosmo.org
Nick Atanasio, Project Manager LaunchLearning, stands in front of the full-scale Lunar Module replica in the Apollo Gallery.
Nick Atanasio

Don Aich
SpaceWorks Technician
620.662.9301
Don Aich, SpaceWorks Technician, is pictured with astronaut Gus Grissom’s Mercury spacecraft, Liberty Bell 7 that sunk off the coast of Florida in 1961. It was recovered from the ocean floor in 1999 and completely restored by the Cosmosphere’s SpaceWorks Restoration Team.
Don Aich

Steve Barnum
Retail Operations Manager
620.665.9348
steveb@cosmo.org
Steve Barnum, Retail Operations Manager, stands in front of the actual Gemini X. Gemini X was designed to achieve the objectives for the last two missions –rendezvous, docking and extravehicular activity (EVA).
Steve Barnum

Tammy Bolin
Education Coordinator
620.665.9360
tammyb@cosmo.org
Tammy Bolin, Education Coordinator, stands in front of the International Space Station display in the Fee Family Learning Center.
Tammy Bolin

Dale Capps
SpaceWorks Restoration Manager
620.662.9301
dalec@cosmo.org
Dale Capps, SpaceWorks Restoration Manager, stands in our Grand Lobby at the nose of a flown Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird, the world’s fastest spyplane.
Dale Capps

Stefan Carlin
Content Specialist
620.665.9351
stefanc@cosmo.org
Stefan Carlin, Content Specialist, stands in front of a flown Soviet Vostok.
Stefan Carlin

Lily Cooper
STEM Educator
620-665-9345
lilyc@cosmo.org
Lily Cooper, STEM Educator, stands on the wing of the full-scale replica of the space shuttle Endeavour that adorns our Grand Lobby.
Lily Cooper

Katrina Drummond
Finance Assistant
620.665.9349
katrinad@cosmo.org
Katrina Drummond, Finance Assistant, stands in front of the Rocket Sled in our Hall of Space Museum.
Katrina Drummond

Tristyn Green
Marketing + Data Coordinator
620.665.9326
tristyng@cosmo.org
Tristyn Green, Marketing + Data Coordinator, stands in the Competition Begins Gallery with Explorer 1 in the background.
Tristyn Green

Sheila Harmony
Executive Assistant
620.665.9310
sheilah@cosmo.org
Sheila Harmony, Executive Assistant, sits at the console of an actual Mission Control panel removed from a mission control room in Houston.
Sheila Harmony

Samantha Hyman
Box Office Operations Manager
620.665.9304
samanthah@cosmo.org
Samantha Hyman, Box Office Operations Manager, sits in the Carey Digital Dome Theater, which features the most cutting edge technology in digital projection in the nation, featuring a custom-designed lens that allows us to project on the full dome with the highest resolution and clarity available.
Samantha Hyman

Bryn Jenkins
Retail Operations and Box Office Assistant Manager
620.665.9316
brynj@cosmo.org
Bryn Jenkins, Retail Operations and Box Office Assistant Manager, stands in front of a replica Voskhod with flight-ready Volga airlock in the Hall of Space Museum.
Bryn Jenkins

Taylor Lawler
Customer Service Representative
620.665.9363
taylorl@cosmo.org
Taylor Lawler, Customer Service Representative, stands in front of Saturn V F-1 engine components.
Taylor Lawler

Lynn Ledeboer
Digital Content + Asset Manager
620.665.9336
lynnl@cosmo.org
Lynn Ledeboer, Digital Content + Asset Manager, stands in the middle of the Cosmosphere's vast camera and video camera display in the Apollo Gallery.
Lynn Ledeboer

Sophie Maples
Public Relations + Volunteer Coordinator
620.665.9320
sophiem@cosmo.org
Sophie Maples, Public Relations + Volunteer Coordinator, stands in front of the German Wall located in the Hall of Space Museum.
Sophie Maples

Michele McCartney
Director of Content + Design
620.665.9303
michelem@cosmo.org
Michele McCartney, Director of Content and Design stands in front of a replica of Chuck Yeager’s X-1, “Glamorous Glennis” that was used in the film The Right Stuff. Yeager was the first man to fly faster than the speed of sound in “Glamorous Glennis.”
Michele McCartney

Chuck McClary
Digital Specialist
620.665.9340
chuckm@cosmo.org
Chuck McClary, Digital Specialist, stands with two lunar space suit models that were used for training during the Apollo missions.
Chuck McClary

William Morrell
Maintenance Associate
William Morrell, Maintenance Associate, stands in front of the remains of the Mercury-Atlas 1 rocket that exploded 58 seconds after launch on July 29, 1960. The Cosmosphere reconstructed the spacecraft from the salvaged wreckage, which can be seen in the Cosmosphere’s Kennedy Theater.
William Morrell

Lesa Paulsen
Director of Sales
620.665.9362
lesap@cosmo.org
Lesa Paulsen, Director of Sales, stands in front of Dr. Goddard's Lab.
Lesa Paulsen

Mary Smith
STEM Educator
620.665.9352
marys@cosmo.org
Mary Smith, STEM Educator, stands in front of the ascent stage in the Apollo Gallery.
Mary Smith

Kristen Spurlin
School Programs Coordinator
620.665.9334
kristens@cosmo.org
Kristen Spurlin, School Programs Coordinator, stands in front of astronaut Jim Lovell's spacesuit from the Apollo 13 mission.
Kristen Spurlin

Lilly Barnes-Taylor
STEM Educator
620.665.9365
lillyt@cosmo.org
Lily Barnes-Taylor, STEM Educator, stands in front of the Moon display in the Cosmosphere's Science Education Center.
Lilly Barnes-Taylor

Sherry Treece
STEM Educator
620.665.9367
sherryt@cosmo.org
Sherry Treece, STEM Educator, sits in Cosmosphere Camp's Mission Operations Control Room in the Science Education Center.
Sherry Treece

Bill Tucker
Plant Services Operations Manager
620.665.9331
billt@cosmo.org
Bill Tucker, Plant Services Operations Manager, stands in front of an actual V-2 rocket that resides in our German Gallery. The V-2 rocket was the first long-range guided ballistic missile and was created as a weapon of mass destruction.
Bill Tucker
