OUR STAFF
& BOARD
The Tulare Historical Museum is run by a dedicated staff and board of directors.
TEAM THM
PATTY ROCHA
Executive Director/Curator
Patty Rocha is the executive director/ curator for the Tulare Historical Museum and has been with us since October 2023. Her responsibilities are to direct the acquisition, storage, preservation, and maintain records of artifacts. She oversees the museum's financial affairs, such as billing and budgeting while increasing membership, visitors, and public relations.
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She was born in Visalia, California and graduated from Tulare Union High School. She has a business degree from BYU.
IVA SOUSA
Executive Assistant
Iva Sousa is the executive assistant at the Tulare Historical Museum and has been with us since November 2023. Her roll entails marketing exhibits, event planning, organizing, and advertising.
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She is a native resident of Tipton, California and a graduate of Tulare Union High School. Besides her work here at the museum, she is also the owner and operator of her own catering business:
Circle of Essence
MATTHEW MENKE
Research Historian
Matthew Menke is the Research Historian at the Tulare Historical Museum and has been with us since June 2019. His job entails cataloging and researching museum artifacts, organizing and labeling items in our storage facility and assisting with docent tours and other museum events and projects.
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He is currently working towards a Master's degree in History at California State University in Fresno. His interests are American political and military history, the history of the Old West, political philosophy and European History.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Marmie Fidler
PRESIDENT
Deborah Thrasher
VICE PRESIDENT
Sharon Van Weerdhuizen
SECRETARY-TREASURER
Randy Bear
Barbara Guerra Chudej
Ken Espinoza
Shea Gowin
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Kevin Fitzgerald
Sue Giampetro
Steve Lawton
Tom Linder
Kent McNatt
Richard Nunes
Joe Terri
Carlos Melindez