Staff & Board

Director

Rhiannon Cizon

rcizon@berrienhistory.org

Rhiannon joined the BCHA as the museum’s seventh director in 2019. Prior to coming to Michigan, she worked at museums in New York, Wisconsin, Texas, North Carolina, and Indiana. With fifteen years experience in museums and NPOs, Rhiannon brings her knowledge and hearty enthusiasm to the BCHA.

She has two Bachelors from Ball State University in Apparel Design and Public History and a Masters from Valparaiso University in Heritage Management.

When not working at the History Center, she is active in Girls on the Run of NWI as a volunteer. She reads, crafts, writes, and gets into shenanigans when left to her own devices.

Curator

John Moga

jmoga@berrienhistory.org

John is only the third person to serve as curator for the BCHA, but his twenty years experience means that he feels right at home among the numerous archival and collection pieces he now manages. He began his career at The Henry Ford before moving on to work at museums in Wisconsin and Florida. He then returned to Michigan.

He holds a Bachelors in Fine Arts from the University of Michigan and a Masters in Fine Arts from the University of Windsor (ON, CAN).

John is married with two sons and when he isn’t working, he is involved in his synagogue and the local art community.

Coordinator

Tara Velez

tvelez@berrienhistory.org

Tara joined the staff in 2019 as first Museum Operations Coordinator after the position had been modified to better describe its role. Like John and Rhiannon, she lived and worked in several states, including Maryland and Texas, although she is a native Michigander, hailing from Saginaw.

She holds two Bachelors in Religious Studies and History. She is also a certified group fitness and yoga instructor.

Tara is the mother of two daughters and a son and when she’s not fulfilling her duties at the BCHA or at the YMCA, she is very active in her church and spends time promoting community health & fitness initiatives.

Caretaker

Lori Fedor

Lori has been on the staff the longest, joining as the BCHA as our caretaker in 2018. She is responsible for keeping our buildings clean and safe for our guests and the rest of the staff. When she’s not seen carrying a rag, she’s helping in the office with behind-the-scenes things like stuffing envelopes and de-installing exhibits.

A life-long resident of Berrien Springs, Lori has worked all over the area and also owns her own cleaning business for homes and offices.

Lori is married with one daughter. When she’s not working, she loves spending time with her family and completing a seemingly never ending list of DIY projects around her house.

The BCHA Board of Directors is made up of citizens from around Berrien County who are committed to helping the museum meet its mission. To learn more about our board or to become part of it, contact us!