A Chicago native, Arthur has a richly varied background in the arts, conservation, museum collections and philanthropy. Over the course of 25 years with the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, he worked hand-in-glove with a large portfolio of nonprofit groups, with an emphasis on helping them to build the operational and financial capacities they need to achieve their mission goals. Arthur is the author of “Force of Nature,” the award-winning biography of George Fell, father of the Natural Areas Movement and the driving force in the founding of The Nature Conservancy.

Nature lover, recycling enthusiast, along with a divine appreciation for art brings Amelia to her dream job working at RTPI. Amelia is a proud mother of two who grew up in the scenic woodland landscapes outside of Bemus Point. Spending much of her time in the woods, listening to the birds, critters, and the rustling of the leaves always brought such joy and peace which grew into an immense appreciation for the natural world around us. Amelia has over 25 years of experience in the hotel, restaurant, and retail industries and is thrilled to be in a museum setting interacting with guests from near and far.

Having grown up in nearby Erie, PA, Maria is excited to be part of the curatorial team at RTPI. A lover of animals, nature, and art, Maria is thrilled to be in a position which celebrates the vital role of all three in our lives. She is passionate about the important role of art and museums in shaping communities, and looks forward to implementing dynamic exhibitions and programs at RTPI. Maria is an experienced registrar and has worked primarily with museum collections and exhibitions. She studied Art History and Museum Studies (M.A.) at the University of Memphis, and Art (B.A.) at Penn State University.

Prior to coming to RTPI, George was a tenured biology professor, teaching courses in Ecology and Evolution with published research on coral snakes and their venom, and on non-venomous species of snakes that mimic coral snakes. George has degrees in biology from SUNY Fredonia (B.S.) and UNC Chapel Hill (Ph.D.). Prior to embarking on a career in biology, he was an IRS auditor and a self-employed tax preparer. George has a lifelong interest in nature and the fascinating organisms that inhabit it, and enjoys hiking, camping, and other activities that allow him to spend time in nature.

Lifelong resident of the Jamestown area, Amy oversees the Visitor Experience Team helping to ensure the highest quality experience for visitors to the museum, as well as expanding/maintaining the museum gift shop. Amy also provides administrative support for both George Harper, Development Director, and Arthur Pearson, CEO. She brings a background of 25+ years of customer service/retail management to the Visitor Experience team. Her interests have always included a love of the outdoors, with nature photography topping the list. Striving to share the essence of a moment or memory through photos, has been a passion for a very long time.

Born and raised in The Netherlands, Twan’s journey to Jamestown covered several continents and involved more than a decade of living and working in the rainforests of Central America. An animal ecologist by training, his work primarily focuses on conservation of endangered species and their habitats. If he had to choose a favorite animal, frogs would probably be a top pick, but Twan has worked on many different subjects over his 25+ year career as a conservation biologist. An avid photographer and author of several field guides, Twan loves to share his experiences with the public. At RTPI he advises the curatorial team on all things nature and guides the Institute’s birding and natural history programs.

Raised in Busti, NY, Emily’s love for nature began on the acreage of her family residence and flourished at the Jamestown Audubon as a nature education counselor - logging over 500 hours as a volunteer. This experience influenced her decision to attend the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse to major in Landscape Architecture before realizing her passion for environmental education and pursued a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Communication. Emily is thrilled to be a part of RTPI to continue to educate her community about the enriching connection between nature and art.

After living in NYC for the last 26 years, David is excited to be back in Chautauqua County and part of the team at RTPI. He spent the last 7 years as Director of Service at upscale event companies in NYC (Canard Inc, and Cloud Catering and Events). Before that, David was a professional AEA actor based out of NYC. He left Western NY after high school to attend The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, and spent many years performing all over the United States. He now resides in Jamestown with his wife, Julia, and their fat cat, Abby.

An art and nature enthusiast, Melissa hails from New England. Observing wildlife and communicating cross-culturally has informed her life. Volunteering with the National Park Service also illuminated new paths of engaging with audiences. Melissa’s dynamic arts career includes collaborations with artists and collectors, galleries and museums. A seasoned curator and manager of a world-class visiting artist residency program, Melissa looks forward to channeling her personal and professional experiences into compelling exhibitions and programs centered on Art that Matters to the Planet. She received her Masters’ degree from the Bard Graduate Center.

After beginning her career at a major book publishing company in New York City, Megan was drawn back to Western New York by its natural beauty and the proximity of family. For the past decade, she served the Chautauqua Institution as Director of Donor Communications and Community Engagement. An experienced fundraiser, grant writer, and marketing and communications professional, Megan is excited to help advance RTPI as a nexus of art and conservation. She believes in the power of nature to make us better people and in art’s ability to inspire us to become better stewards of our planet. Megan enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time with her husband and their bubbly daughter.