Warren Dockter, Ph.D.

Warren Dockter, Ph.D. grew up in Grainger County and worked with his family’s sign company in Blount County. He then attended the University of Tennessee – Knoxville to earn his undergraduate degree in history and political science. He went on to receive his Masters and Ph.D. from the University of Nottingham in England, United Kingdom(UK); was awarded a fellowship at University of Cambridge, England, UK; and has been a historian at Aberystwyth University in Wales, UK. for the past four and a half years. He brings to ETHS an extensive knowledge & passion for history, experience in public engagement, management and fund raising in the non-profit sector including work with the International Churchill Society, British Institute of Ankara and Aberystwyth University.

Gay Henry Lyons

Gay Henry Lyons grew up in Loudon County. She received a BA in English from Pfeiffer College, an MA in English from the University of Tennessee, and a PhD in political science from the University of Tennessee. She was a professor of English and political science at Pellissippi State Community College for over 30 years. During that time and following her retirement, she was a caterer, columnist, magazine editor, and freelance writer. In addition to many years of fundraising and event planning as a volunteer for organizations such as Knoxville Botanical Garden, Knoxville Museum of Art, Leadership Knoxville, Dogwood Arts, and Knox Heritage, where she was chair of the Summer Suppers for seven years, she was capital campaign manager at Knox Heritage and development director at Positively Living/Choice Health Network. She brings a passion for history, an entrepreneurial spirit, a wide range of experience, and great enthusiasm to the ETHS.

Lisa N. Oakley

Ms. Oakley holds a M.A. in History with an Emphasis in Historic Preservation (Public History) from Middle Tennessee State University. During her tenure as curator of education and now vice president (33 years) with ETHS, Ms. Oakley has worked directly with students in a museum setting as well as through classroom outreach, an experience which extended into service to teachers. Between 1993 and 2014, Ms. Oakley directed three U.S. Department of Education Teaching American History grants, as well as designed and implemented over two dozen highly regarded and award-winning teacher institute/workshop grant projects with Humanities Tennessee, an independent affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The curatorial position has expanded to the role of vice president of the organization, with a special role in coordinating and supervising ETHS’s programming and interpretation.

Rebecca P’Simer

Rebecca P’Simer joined the ETHS staff in 2018 as curator of collections. Her primary responsibilities include the documentation, care, and conservation of the 13,500-item artifact collection and coordination of artifact donations and loans. She also assists with content development and installation of in-house and traveling exhibits, works with conservators as needed, and serves as a resource for researchers and curators from other institutions. Rebecca has a bachelor’s degree in history with a focus on the Antebellum South from the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga and a master’s degree in history from the University of Memphis. She was previously employed by Great Smoky Mountains National Park as a museum technician and has spent time as a contract employee in various other Tennessee museums, as well as the Cody Firearms Museum in Wyoming and in the archival collection at Biltmore Estate. She is also chair for the East Tennessee chapter of Emerging Museum Professionals and involved in other boards and organizations in the region

Stephanie Henry

Stephanie Henry oversees the daily operations of the ETHS administrative office, including oversight of clerical tasks, event and meeting scheduling and planning, and ETHS board and guest communications and hospitality services. Prior to joining ETHS in 2009, she was a volunteer with the ETHS education program. Stephanie holds a B.A. in history from the University of Tennessee (2008). She resides in Sevierville with her husband and two miniature dachshunds.

Dani Manley Hood

We are excited to welcome Texan Dani Manley Hood to the ETHS education team! Dani got her B.A. in English and anthropology from Texas A&M and her M.A. in museum studies from Johns Hopkins University. She brings experience with collections and education teams at the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington D.C., Colvin Run Mill Historic State Site in Great Falls, VA, and the National Park Service Museum Management Program in Harpers Ferry, WV. Dani is looking forward to refreshing and growing our educational programming. When she’s not at work, Dani loves getting out in the mountains with her new husband and their two dogs.

Tim Yates

Tim Yates joined the ETHS team in January 2017. He serves as head of visitor services and manages museum shop operations. He studied historic preservation, architecture, and political science at Middle Tennessee State University. His professional career has been in retail operations and acquisitions with positions at the local, district, regional, and national levels. He has also served as a volunteer at Clingmans Dome in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Tim has two married children and five grandchildren. He and his wife, an interior designer, reside in West Knoxville.

Kelley Weatherley-Sinclair

Kelley was born and raised in Knoxville and was brought up in her family’s local small business, Smart Toys and Books. Her love for history started young, when her 4th grade teacher taught her that history is not just made up of facts, but as stories woven together like a tapestry, which connect all of humanity together as one. Her interest continued as she received my B.A. in history from Maryville College. She began volunteering for Historic Ramsey House in 2016, then serving as Executive Director from March 2019-July 2022. Being Executive Director at Historic Ramsey House taught her that cultural organizations like the East Tennessee Historical Society are truly the places that hold a community together and give its members a sense of place. When she’s not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family on their small farm in East Knox County and sewing historically-inspired clothing. She is honored to begin work with ETHS, where she hopes to continue to forge a path forward to a more inclusive and engaging relationship with history.

Ken Mayes

Ken grew up in Lincoln County, Tennessee.  After serving 4 years in the U.S. Army, he attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and earn a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Botany.  Ken has 13 years of experience at the American Museum of Science & Energy as an educator and the deputy director. He also served the board of directors for the Tennessee Association of Museums for 11 years.   He has also served on the board of directors for the Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association and played vintage base ball at Ramsey House for the Knoxville Holstons.  In his spare time he enjoys kayaking, hiking, running, gardening, and spending time with his wife and three children.

Sequoia Conkling

Originally from Houston, Texas, Sequoia Conkling moved to Knoxville in 2021 to attend the University of Tennessee. Following graduation, she plans to pursue an M.A in public history. After interning in the fall of 2023, Sequoia joined the East Tennessee Historical Society as an Education Associate. In this role Sequoia assists in planning and executing k-12 field trips, engaging in community outreach, and coordinating preschool programming. Prior to moving to Knoxville, Sequoia worked with the Holocaust Museum Houston along with the Houston Heritage Society. She is honored to be a part of the ETHS team and looks forward to continuing to work to connect students and the public with East Tennessee’s rich history.

Jackson Eagan

Jackson Eagan, originally from Phoenix, Arizona, graduated from the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College of Florida Atlantic University with a B.A. in Anthropology in 2024. The same year, he moved to Knoxville and started out on the ETHS team by working in visitor services and the museum shop. In 2024, he joined the education team as an Education Associate, assisting in organizing and running k-12 field trips, outreach programs, and other special education programs. He enjoys engaging with visitors of all ages and showcasing what ETHS and the Museum of East Tennessee History has to offer.