Jara Haas , Marketing Manager (Anchorage Musuem)

As Special Projects Associate, Jara handles publications, media-relations, and special events, including Trick or Treat Town. Jara also provides administrative assistance to the executive director in the areas of fund development, marketing, communications, board of directors and general correspondence at The Imaginarium. She holds a degree in Biology from the University of Alaska Anchorage. When not working, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and daughter.

Susie Kaltenbacher, Administrative Assistant

More coming soon!

Terry Roberts, Accounting Manager (Anchorage Museum)

Terry’s first task was bringing The Imaginarium’s accounting in-house. Her work days are filled with paying bills, paying employees, filling out reports and (hopefully) making the lives of Imaginarium staff easier. In order to be a “creative accountant,” she dabbles in fiber arts in her spare time by weaving, felting and knitting. Terry loves Alaska and Anchorage, but sometimes wishes she was closer to her nieces in Kodiak. She’s currently learning to SCUBA dive with her husband.

Allison Wieland, Administration

Allison has worn many hats at the Imaginarium having worked in visitor services, programs, and now managing the information systems and administrative services of the organization. She has a BS in Planning Public Policy, & Managment and Business Administration and 10 years of experience in non-profit management. Some of her favorite things are: traveling, riding her bike, tidepooling, and spending time with her nephews and nieces.

Dana Schadek, Retail and Admissions Manager

As Retail and Admissions Manager, Dana oversees the admissions area, the dissemination of information about our programs, the membership program, and The Imaginarium Science Store.

More on Dana coming!

Tammy Stenson , Visitor Services Coordinator

Welcome to The Imaginarium. I was born in Sacramento, California and raised here in Alaska. I came to The Imaginarium with a strong background in the fields of tourism & hospitality, customer service & retail, and child care. I enjoy working with the public and meeting all sorts of people. I love nature, the great outdoors and love spending my spare time with animals. Come join us soon and enjoy The Imaginarium!

Dick Emanuel, Science Advisor

As Science Advisor, Dick works with Imaginarium and museum staff and consultants to plan and develop science exhibits for the expanding Anchorage Museum. He has been associated with the Imaginarium as a frequent visitor with a preschool daughter, as a board member and now a staff member. His daughter, Nicole, is now a teen volunteer. In previous lives, Dick worked as a USGS hydrologist, a newspaper reporter and freelance writer. He has a pair of master's degrees in geology and environmental science from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and studied science communication at UC Santa Cruz. For fun, Dick loves to cook, watch classic movies and travel with his family.

Mark Martinson, Facilities and Exhibits Specialist

Mr. Martinson has worked throughout Alaska for the last 25 years on water, sewer, road, airport, coastal erosion, and seismic projects; he currently teaches chemistry lab classes part time at UAA in addition to  his work here, where he cares for our animals.  A nut about independent energy systems, he aspires to live in a Hobbit Home with solar and wind generated power along with his back-up generator.

Eric Miller, Director of Exhibitions

Eric designs, builds and maintains exhibits at The Imaginarium. He has a Bachelor of Science in Fine and Applied Arts from the University of Oregon and over 16 years of experience in construction and design. Eric has a strong background in woodworking, electronics, computers, graphic design, interactive display design and construction, drawing, and sculpting.

Kim Beckford, Education Liaison

As the Education Liaison, Kim is charged with scheduling field trips and outreach adventures throughout the state of Alaska. During the summer months, she becomes a part of the Summer Camp team, aiding parents in the registration process and paperwork. She recently earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies from the University of Alaska Anchorage where she was able to study Spanish, Political Science, and Alaska Native History all at the same time. In her spare time, Kim enjoys reading obscure books, playing trivia games, and enjoying the Alaskan wilderness with her husband, Nick, and puppy, Bella.

Renae Bookman, Science Educator - Camp Programs

As Science Educator, Renae spends her time spreading science education throughout Alaska as well as coordinating the live animal program at The Imgainarium. She loves her job because it allows her to be a space explorer, zookeeper and teacher all in the same day! Renae has a bachelor's degree in Natural Resource Management from North Dakota State Unviersity and has spent many years working as a park naturalist and as a field instructor for a wilderness camp. Born and raised in Minnesota, Renae is no stranger to long cold winters. She enjoys spending her time knitting warm hats and planning summer adventures.

Jacki Bond, Animal Care Specialist/Special Events Coordinator

As Animal Care Specialist and Events Coordinator, Jacki enjoys days of marine life, reptile feedings, science experiments, dissections, and learning more about animal behaviors. Jacki takes care of all the different animals housed within The Imaginarium. She also organizes the activities for Special Events. She enjoys working with animals, helping to teach science to people of all ages. Jacki holds a degree in Marine Biology and Communications and is passionate about the marine environment. She is always fascinated by different aspects of science.

Rich Capitan , Science Educator - Outreach

Rich came to Alaska from Michigan as a Student Conservation Association volunteer in 1993. Having been “bitten by the Alaska bug”, he returned seasonally to assist with various wildlife research projects on salmon, moose browse, lynx, songbirds, shorebirds, seabirds, and walrus. Rich has applied his field work towards the educational realm, working at the Alaska SeaLife Center, Audubon Alaska, and The Imaginarium Science Discovery Center. Rich holds a B.A. in Biology from Olivet College, MI and attended the University of Alaska Southeast Juneau to pursue a Master of Arts in Teaching. He is a member of Scared Scriptless, Anchorage’s longest running comedy Improv troupe and is married to Alison Capitan, D.V.M. and are the proud parents of Ethan, the cutest 16 month old child in Alaska!

Michelle Greer, Science Educator

Michelle was born and raised in Spokane, Washington and earned her Bachelor's in Biology from Eastern Washington University (GO EAGS!). She moved up to Alaska two years ago and is loving it! As a science educator she gets the chance to teach different age groups --preschool to teens-- that anyone can explore/love science. She is passionate about learning and trying new things. Some of her favorite activities are: running, hiking, reading, bird watching, dog walks, and spending time with her friends and family.

Katie Hessen, Science Educator - Outreach

More coming soon!

Karen Kniskern , Science Educator - Volunteer & Visitor Services

Karen comes to us from the lower 48. Born in Germany into a military family Karen has traveled and lived from the east to west coast of the US and a number of places in-between, traveling overseas when the opportunity arises. She enjoys gardening, hiking, photography, cooking, bird watching, boating, reading, fishing and (of course) traveling. Having been a Science Educator for the past 10 years and with a BS in Conservation, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Karen brings a variety of experience and knowledge to the Imaginarium.