Speakers Bureau

There are several CMOM staff members that are available to come speak at your organization on various museum-related topics. Depending on the topic of your choice, please contact the appropriate staff member directly to schedule a speaker.

Email General Inquiries or call 901-458-2678

General Speakers

Email Chief Executive Officer: Richard Hackett
Implements board policy; responsible for overall planning and budgeting; ultimately responsible for management/administration of the museum, for exhibits development and for programming; develops, implements and monitors staffing pattern that best meets the needs of museum operation; plays lead role in preparing and implementing development plan; works with board members to achieve maximum benefit for museum with regard to development plan; maintains relationships with other museums and other informal education environments; performs ongoing evaluation of CMOM; develops ways to increase and maintain visitor attendance and satisfaction; develops and implements methods of continual enhancement of museum; supervises CFO and department directors (senior management staff).

Prior to CMOM, Richard Hackett is probably best known as the Mayor of Memphis from 1982-1992. As mayor in 1990, he was instrumental in the museum’s conception by awarding a 25-year, $1-a-year lease of the old National Guard Armory at Central Avenue and Hollywood to CMOM’s founders. A native of Memphis, Hackett attended Memphis State University. Hackett was also the founder of WONDERS: The Memphis International Cultural Series. He served as senior vice president at ALSAC, the fund raising arm of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Email Director of Public Relations & Marketing: Randy McKeel
Develops, implements and evaluates public relations and marketing plans; maintains awareness of marketing outlets and spends advertising money for the maximum benefit; maintains relationships with media; develops advertising co-ops with other local attractions; serves as museum’s spokesperson to the media; writes and distributes news releases; coordinates production of publicity print materials, brochures, direct mail, banners, advertising, television commercials and signs; serves as editor of Sparks newsletter; develops and manages public relations & marketing budgets; designs and maintains the museum’s website; manages e-marketing programs; coordinates photography and photo shoots; responsible for community relations; coordinates promotions and media sponsorships; liaison to local tourism groups; oversee brochure distribution system; conducts demographics and visitor studies every three years; acts as in-house designer for all museum print collateral.

With 16 years of experience, McKeel has held public relations and marketing management positions with the Association of Youth Museums, Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau and Youth Villages. McKeel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Christian Brothers University (1992) as well as a Master of Science in Professional Accounting from Strayer University (2006).

Fund Raising Speaker

Email Chief Financial Officer: Jenny Reid
Assists CEO and board in establishing and implementing fund raising for museum’s non-earned income, to include annual campaigns (both corporate and individual), fund raisers and planned giving; directs membership function (promotion, member benefits); takes lead staff role in organizing annual campaigns: coordinates committee formation, readies all prospect lists and support materials, coordinates cultivation events and volunteer training, provides staff support for prospect calls and follow up, ensures donor thanks and recognition, and ensures accuracy of recordkeeping; supervises membership & development manager, education manager and program manager. Also performs accounting tasks; prepares financial statements and other reports; processes payables; monitors revenue and expense numbers compared to budget and keeps CEO and staff informed; processes payroll; ensures compliance with laws pertaining to nonprofit organizations in their business practices; ensures maintenance of internal controls for safeguarding assets; performs or makes recommendations for investments; facilitates performance of annual audit; coordinates and facilitates annual budget preparation; manages agency insurance coverage; works with board treasurer as needed.

Jenny Reid holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, is a licensed CPA and is a member AICPA. She was over the debt & cash management for Shelby County Government and City of Memphis and was the controller & interim dean of administrative services for Rhodes College.

Membership Speaker

Email Membership & Development Manager: Debbie Wilkins
Maintains membership database; processes membership forms and cards; participates in developing and implementing strategies and marketing for maintaining and increasing membership, both family and corporate; processes and acknowledges sponsorship payments and gifts; produces reports as needed; coordinates preview parties, membership events and special events; monitors use and availability of passes (including requests for passes from outside organizations); assists CFO with fund raising activities; supervises administrative assistant.

Debbie Wilkins worked for five years as an administrative assistant at the Memphis Regional Chamber, for two years as director of career services at Vatterott College and as a project manager/office manager for Tri-Star Food Service.

Volunteer Speaker

Email Director of Visitor Services & Volunteers: Felicia Jones
Ensures that visitors have an educational and fun experience in the museum; manages the operation of the gallery floor; interacts with visitors and takes steps to enhance visitor satisfaction as needed; accepts and processes visitor complaints, compliments and comments; provides leadership to all staff in achieving and maintaining excellence in visitor services; supervises visitor services manager; manages programming presentations; monitors exhibit maintenance; manages volunteer programs; provides group orientations and works with groups in the gallery; coordinates and leads birthday party program; acts as YMEC liaison.

Felicia Jones held the student government president position while at Lemoyne Owen College where she developed programs for fellow students. She also worked with youth at her church and was the instructor for the children ministry there. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Work.