FOUNDER | AMERICANA 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.

PRESIDENT | AMERICAN BATTLEFIELD TRUST

David Duncan spent more than 20 years as the American Battlefield Trust's primary fundraiser and Chief Development Officer before being named by the board in October 2020 – right in the middle of the pandemic – to take over the top spot with the retirement of longtime president Jim Lighthizer. In his years with the Trust, Duncan has led fundraising efforts and campaigns that have brought in nearly $290 million in private donations, allowing the Trust to save more than 55,000 acres of hallowed ground at more than 155 battlefields associated with the American Revolution, War of 1812 and Civil War.

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 | FRIENDS OF VICKSBURG NATIONAL MILITARY PARK & CAMPAIGN

As the founding executive director of Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park, Bess has grown the organization from a grassroots group to a key partner, raising millions to enhance the park and visitor experience. With 20 years in cultural nonprofits and tourism, she also serves on the national Board of Directors for the Friends Alliance, dedicated to strengthening park partnerships. Bess is passionate about preserving historic sites and inspiring the next generation of stewards.

PRESIDENT & ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION

A native Tennessean and lifelong student of early American history, Anthony Hodges serves as president of the Tennessee Civil War Preservation Association and sits on the Advisory Board of National Park Partners, where he was a board member and president for 25 years. He is an emeritus board member of the East Tennessee Historical Society and Museum after more than two decades of service. A founding trustee of the Coolidge Medal of Honor Heritage Center, he now serves as an advisor. In 2023, Governor Bill Lee appointed him to the Tennessee Monuments and Memorials Commission. He is a Color Bearer of the American Battlefield Trust.

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.

PRESIDENT EMERITUS | AMERICAN BATTLEFIELD TRUST

Jim Lighthizer retired in 2020 after 21 years as president of the American Battlefield Trust, where he led efforts to preserve over 53,000 acres of battlefield land across 24 states. Under his leadership, the Trust raised nearly $235 million in private contributions and spearheaded major preservation projects, including saving the Slaughter Pen Farm at Fredericksburg and Robert E. Lee’s headquarters at Gettysburg. Before joining the Trust, Lighthizer served as Anne Arundel County Executive and Maryland’s Secretary of Transportation, where he was a pioneer in land conservation efforts.

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.

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.

CHIEF OF INTERPRETATION | CAMP NELSON NATIONAL MONUMENT

A Park Ranger and military history scholar of the Civil War era, Steve has served at the Civil War Defenses of Washington, Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument, Rock Creek Park, Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, Stones River National Battlefield, Richmond National Battlefield Park, and Gettysburg National Military Park. His research focuses on military occupation, operational command, African American soldiers and refugees, and fortifications during the Civil War. He was nominated for the National Park Service Tilden Award for Excellence in Interpretation for the National Capital Region in 2019 and 2020, and for the Excellence in Interpretation Individual Award for the Southeast Region in 2025. He holds a master’s degree in American History from Middle Tennessee State University.

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.

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.