Meet Our Staff

Senior Staff

Leo Goodsell, Executive Director - Email leo@westville.org

Leo Goodsell is a native of Indiana, raised near South Bend. He attended Indiana University and graduated with a degree in History. He completed his master’s degree at Texas Tech University in Museum Science.

He began his career in museums in 1986 as an intern at the Northern Indiana Historical Museum. While he was working on his masters degree he also worked at the Texas Tech University Museum in Lubbock, Texas and at Ashton Villa historic house museum in Galveston, Texas. Upon completing his Masters Degree, his first job was as curator for Travelers Rest in Nashville, Tennessee, and then as director of Carnton Plantation, a Civil War site, in Franklin, Tennessee.

When he left Carnton he took over as director of the Farnsworth House and Gardens in Plano, Illinois. In 2000 he became director of the Berrien County Historical Association, a county-wide organization promoting local history, preservation, and book publishing. Since January 2006, he has been the executive director of Historic Westville.

He is a board member of the Georgia Association of Museums and Galleries, a member of the Columbus Rotary Club and the Columbus Chapter of the Military Order of World Wars.

Michelle Alexander, Director of Interpretation - Email programs@westville.org

Veronica Wiese, Office Manager - Email office@westville.org

Veronica has been interested in history for as long as she can remember. When she learned that you could "do" living history for fun, she jumped right in with both feet. She spent several years as a volunteer with Historic Westville learning all she could about the ways people lived in the 19th century.

After striking out on her own as a living history consultant and culinary historian, Veronica has returned to Westville, the place she calls "my second home!" Skills she gained while serving in the military and other pursuits are now being put to use in the Westville office to help keep things running smoothly.

Shirley Platt, Kiser House Restaurant Manager - Email kiser@westville.org

Shirley has worked at Historic Westville for four years in the position of Kiser House Manager. She has also completed a certificate in Certified Food Safety Manager certification training Standards set forth by the National Restaurant Association for ServSafe. She has been involved with Food Services Management for 20 years, Through the years, she has taken many courses and programs offered through work and has had some great mentors to motivate her and help strengthen her skills as a food service leader.

Shirley has also been assisting in taking Westville's special outreach programs to the schools in the area. With her understanding of food and nutrition, Shirley helps children compare and contrast foods that were eaten in the 19th century with what they see on their plates today.

Shirley says "Every day here at Westville will be different and we have the opportunity to collaborate with varied groups of people to provide customer focused food service. That is a challenge that is hard not to get excited about."

Shirley strives to keep balance in her life by making time for family and friends. She finds cooking relaxing as well as rewarding. She says, ”It’s all about the Food.”

Museum Store Manager

Betty Shannon - Email store@westville.org

Betty brought her talents and skills to Westville in 2010 after working in customer service for 17 years. She is a native of South Central Ga, having graduated from Tri-County Hisgh School in Marion County. She is currently married with 2 children. Betty brings a cheerful attitude and bright smile to Westville's Museum Store. She says "It is a joy every day to greet and meet all of our guests!"

Interpretation

Joyce Campbell

Joyce is originally from Florida, and moved to Georgia to be near to family. She has lived in Lumpkin for about twelve years. When she is not bringing her bubbly personality and enthusiasm for history to Westville, Joyce enjoys her three children and one grandson (with another on the way). She has enjoyed working and volunteering at Historic Westville for several years and loves her duties as one of the costumed tour guides. She has also become the on-site millener, making ladies hats, caps, and bonnets for the female staff. She asks that you stop by and say hello when you visit Westville!

Tim Wilson

Tim grew up on the coast of Georgia where one of his first rememberences is growing up on St. Simon's Island and his late mother taking him, as a 6 year old, out to Bloody Marsh battlefield and nearby Fort Frederica. Little did he realize at the time that he was forming a great interest in history! When he was twelve, Tim's father was appointed at Pickett's Mill Battlefield in Paulding County where General Sherman had suffered a devestating defeat. Becasue of these experiences early on in life, history became very important to him. Tim worked for over 10 years as an interpretive ranger at Providence Canyon State Park, just 10 miles from Westville and comes to us with a great enthusiasm to help our visitors understand and experience the mid-19th century.

Scott Humphrey

Scott as born and raised in Albany, GA and has family roots in the Stewart and Randolph County areas dating back generations. After leaving Albany when the Flood of 1994 struck, Scott moved to Eastern Tennessee and worked at a major radio station as news director and DJ for several years. In 2006, Scott started as a professional wrestler and is still wrestling today. In fact, Scott is a multi-time world champion! He has recently returned to live in Albany with his wife and 3 daughters, and is proud to be a part of the Westville family sharing the history of his homeland with all visitors.

Lonnie Bennett

Mr. Lonnie Bennett has been with Westville since 1996. He has worked with our mule teams to plow fields and pull our wagon ride through the village. He enjoys giving our visitors a running commentary of the village and its history as he takes them on wagon rides around the dusty roads.

Maintenance & Housekeeping Staff

Fred Rembert

Though Fred is now responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the buildings and grounds at Historic Westville, he has filled many other rolls over the 20+ years he has been with us. In fact, Fred came to us as a journeyman blacksmith in the early 1970s when Westville was still quite young. Since then he has worked as Westville's basketmaker, woodworker, and cotton gin operator. During special events you may still see him banging away in the blacksmith shop or carving chair legs in the woodshop. During our Independence Day event each year, Fred makes sure the event comes off with a big BANG when he lights the gunpowder under the anvil!

Deborah Treadwell

Debbie is the one who makes sure that when our guests come to Westville their experience is enjoyable throughout the village, and that means clean and neat facilities. She works hard to ensure that bathrooms are clean and stocked with necessary materials. She also makes sure that the furnishings and textiles in our museum are kept in good repair. Here in southwest central Georgia, sand and dust are a constant nuisance that can ruin historical furnishings. Debbie fights a constant battle with heat, cold and dirt to keep the buildings and their contents looking good. Debbie is also dedicated to caring for Westville's feline friends who help keep pests away. You'll see her charges playing in various areas around the grounds.