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BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT
As the senior archivist for the Procter & Gamble Heritage Center and Archives, I leverage my passion and education in history and archives to bring P&G’s and its employee’s heritage stories to life internally and externally. I have represented P&G brand heritage on/in The New York Times, CNN, and United Defense Radio, and I am a frequent “unseen” contributor to the company’s social media channels, as well as presenting at SAA’s annual conference numerous times. A 25-plus-year P&G employee, I served in a number of roles and functions, including records management, before finally fulfilling my dream of joining the archives in 2000 as processor. Today I am the senior archivist and have the pleasure to serve as the historian for P&G’s Grooming, Oral Care, Personal Health Care, and Family Care brands (collectively over 400 years of combined brand and employee stories). As senior archivist I make strategic decisions on the collection’s scope and policies while working closely with the chief historian on displays/exhibits within the Heritage Center. A Certified Archivist since 2006, I have served extensively on the steering committee for SAA’s Business Archives Section, including a term as chair from 2017 to 2020.
I live in the Northern Kentucky suburbs with my wife, two daughters, and two beagles, and I enjoy spending my (pre-COVID-19) free time with my family and friends and have trained my mom to be a Zoom master. I have also taken an adjunct position at a local university teaching “Intro to Archives” as part of the public history program. I am trying to learn how to play golf with my wife (more like hacking right now, but COVID-19-safe and we’re together). I also enjoy reading science fiction and binge-watchinging on Mandalorian+ (aka Disney+) … This is the Way. :)
DIVERSITY STATEMENT
One would think that after watching years of Star Trek that by the twenty-first century we would be living in a world where we are all seen equally, respect one another, and celebrate our differences. Unfortunately, the reality is a stark contrast to that fiction, and we have a way to go in this struggle. I believe that diversity in all its forms (gender, race, ethnicity, people with disabilities, age, sexual preference, religion, etc.) is the most powerful way to unlock an organization’s capabilities and potential for greatness.
Now, I’d venture to guess what you’re thinking. You’re looking at my picture which is obviously that of a white male—I’m straight, I live in the Midwest, and I work for a corporation. Please don’t put me into a box though. I freely admit that I’m on a constant journey to challenge my perceptions, to make myself uncomfortable, to realize my unconscious biases (I have them and work daily to reshape them), to stand for what’s right and not simply expedient, to act positively to influence people around me and the organizations I’m a part of. Nothing has brought me more joy at work than working to document and broadly tell the stories of P&G’s LGBTQ+ and PwD (people with disabilities) employees; these are personal to me as both are represented in my own family and I’ve seen their lifelong struggles, crushing disappointments, and eventual victories.
QUESTION POSED BY NOMINATING COMMITTEE
According to the SAA Council Statement on Black Lives and Archives, "The labor of dismantling white supremacy and structural racism in archives, and beyond, does not rest solely upon our Black membership and other people of color. White archivists, who comprise a vast majority of the field, have a responsibility to disavow racism daily in society and in our profession." How do you interpret the Nominating Committee's role in decreasing structural racism in the field to make it more equitable for BIPOC archives workers?
CANDIDATE'S RESPONSE
At my place of employment, we believe that racism is an inescapable reality of America; it didn’t begin with us, but it can end with us if we choose to act. It starts with every individual taking a hard look at themselves. As I mention in my Diversity Statement, I’m on a journey to challenge my perceptions, to make myself uncomfortable, to realize my unconscious biases (I have them and work daily to address them), to stand for what’s right and not simply expedient, to act positively to influence people around me and the organizations I’m a part of. Every member of SAA must be able to see themselves reflected in the leadership of the Society and be able to bring their fully authentic selves to their profession. Therefore, I see the Nominating Committee’s role in decreasing structural racism as one of identifying those members for leadership positions who have demonstrated the vision, qualities, and steps necessary to proactively address this issue and to act on them in an SAA leadership role. We need to assemble the right teams and committees to spark more dialogue on this issue in an open and learning fashion that brings all SAA members willingly to the table. We need to increase overall awareness of BIPOC history among all members and encourage them to move from being passive supporters to active allies and advocates. If plans are not already in place, I would also strongly advocate for SAA leadership to devise and implement strategies to attract more BIPOC students to the profession by working more closely with historically Black universities and the United Negro College Fund.
In my leadership roles in the Business Archives Section, I’ve participated in the assemblage of many of our election ballots and have succeeded in providing section members with difficult choices every year. I always approached that effort with three questions: (1) Will this person be fully engaged and feel they can bring their authentic selves to the position? (2) Will this person model and lead positive, inclusive behavior? And (3) Will this person work to improve the section for the betterment of ALL of our members? I feel that I succeeded in offering amazing candidates for every election slate that I participated in assembling.
I know I’m not the vision of diversity and inclusion, but allies and advocates are incredibly important, and I aspire to make equality and inclusion a reality for all SAA members by serving on the Nominating Committee. I’m honored to have been nominated for the position and hope to have the opportunity to serve.
Slate of Candidates |
The Nominating Committee has slated the following SAA members as candidates for office in the 2021 election: