FOUNDER | AMERCANA CORNER

Tom created Americana Corner to share informative stories of the momentous events, significant documents and influential leaders that helped create and shape our country. Tom’s passion to tell the Great American Story extends to conserving its cultural and historical treasures through the Preserving America Grant Program, which supports diverse projects across the nation that contribute to sharing the rich tapestry of early American history. Tom graduated from West Point, Class of 1982, and went on to create the Gilman Cheese Corporation after leaving the military. Now retired, Tom spends most of his time on Americana Corner, but also serves on the Board of Trustees for the American Battlefield Trust.

CHIEF POLICY AND COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER | AMERICAN BATTLEFIELD TRUST

James Campi, Jr., is a 38-year political communications veteran who holds a lifelong interest in American history and historic preservation. Jim is responsible for overseeing government relations for the American Battlefield Trust and has led national campaigns to save the Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, Princeton and Wilderness battlefields. In addition, he serves on the board of the nonprofit Journey through Hallowed Ground, which promotes heritage tourism and history education in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. As a freelance writer, he was written and contributed to several books on the American Civil War and military history.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | FORT LIGONIER

Mary leads operations and assists with fundraising and the development of new educational opportunities to broaden Fort Ligonier’s audience. She is passionate about improving the lives of children through history education. As Fort Ligonier’s Director of Education, she developed imaginative programs that instilled an appreciation of eighteenth-century history to thousands of students, which led to rapid growth and success for Fort Ligonier’s Education Department. Mary, a certified K-12 principal, spent eighteen years in the classroom and has an extensive background in curriculum development and literacy programs.

STRATEGIC CONSULTANT | AMERICAN BATTLEFIELD TRUST

Chuck has served as a chief of staff on Capitol Hill and as campaign director for many statewide and presidential candidates in Iowa. He was formerly assistant director for legislative and congressional affairs for the National Park Service in the Department of the Interior and served as executive director of the Interagency Task Force for Building and Rebuilding Monuments to American Heroes. Laudner currently works on state and local issues for the American Battlefield Trust and is president of Friends of Culpeper Battlefields.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | FRIENDS OF WASHINGTON CROSSING PARK, PA

With fifteen years of experience in historic tourism, Jennifer’s areas of expertise include leadership, educational program development, and fundraising. During her tenure at Washington Crossing Park, she spearheaded growth though the development of a formal membership program, identifying new sources of earned revenue and forging strong partnerships with several local and national funders. In 2023, FWCP received three new major grants totaling more than $650,000. Jennifer is passionate about forging community partnerships with other local non-profits, mentoring the next generation of historians and making historical education fun, engaging, and affordable for all.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | CONOCOCHEAGUE INSTITUTE

Matthew brings fifteen years of experience in historic tourism and natural resource management, having worked at Neolithic stone circles, twelfth-century castles and eighteenth-century forts. Over the past four years, Matthew has led the Conocochegue Institute (CI) through a new stage of growth, improving accessibility to make programs and events more engaging for all ages, and forging a wonderful partnership with the museum community and grantors. In 2024, Matthew was named the Cumberland Valley Business Alliance Innovator of the Year for bringing CI centerstage for historical tourism in the region, raising $1 million in one year, and setting the standard for programs and growth.

CHIEF DIGITAL OFFICER | AMERICAN BATTLEFIELD TRUST

Lawrence Swiader has spent his career studying the intersection of technology, media, and education in service of how it improves people's lives. He oversees all aspects of the American Battlefield Trust's digital presence in support of protecting battlefields and informing the public about the vital role these battlefields played in determining the course of our nation’s history. In his second home of Athens, Greece, he has consulted on various projects including the Athens Metro and museums of Greek history.

RETIRED | NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Connie began her 33-year career with the National Park Service in 1991 as the Midwest American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP) Coordinator. Transferred to Wilson's Creek National Battlefield in 1993, she served as the park historian and ABPP coordinator. Connie has worked with many partnership groups over the years, assisting them with grant work and research as they tried to preserve the battlefield they had in their backyard.