ANA creates two new staff positions
American Numismatic Association new hire Sharon Thomas has been named to a newly created position called deputy executive director for education. Current numismatic outreach director, Lane Brunner, has been promoted to a position called deputy executive director of museum, library and research services.
A new staff organizational chart seems to be taking shape at the American Numismatic Association in Colorado Springs, Colo.
New hire Sharon Thomas has been named to a newly created position called deputy executive director for education, and the current numismatic outreach director, Lane Brunner, has been promoted to a position called deputy executive director of museum, library and research services.
This was announced Dec. 1 by executive director Chris Cipoletti.
Thomas has a Ph.D in education from the University of California - Los Angeles earned in 1982 and a law degree from the University of Denver conferred in 1993. She most recently worked as superintendent of schools for Colorado Springs School District 11.
Educational programming will be her area of responsibility, according to Cipoletti.
She will be "charged with expanding educational programs, including public school curriculum, which uses coins as teaching tools in a variety of subjects, ranging from math and economics to art and history."
Cipoletti added, "Sharon is well connected and well respected in educational circles around the country and brings knowledge and experiece to the ANA to help us expand our educational programming at all levels."
Thomas expressed an eagerness to tackle her new assignment.
"I'm very excited about this new opportunity. Our goal now is to broaden the ANA's educational mission and introduce numismatics to a larger, more diverse audience. On a personal level, I am thrilled and honored to join this extraordinary association."
The ANA conducts a two-week Summer Seminar, a Coins in the Classroom program and other educational workshops and programs during the year.
Brunner's new job will direct the operations of the library and museum and help develop the American Money and Gold Rush Museum in the renovated San Francisco Old Mint. He will also organize an effort to "place a numismatic museum in Washington, D.C.
Brunner has been with the ANA since 2004.
"Lane's skills provide a strong base as we look at designing space and exhibits for museum and library expansion in Colorado Springs," Cipoletti said.
Brunner helped build the Coins in the Classroom program since it was introduced in 2004. Some 125 K-12 teachers have been certified. He played a key role in developing the ANA Journal.
He has a 1995 Ph.D. in Pharmacy from the University of Georgia. He was on the faculty of the University of Texas 1996-2004.
