Ian Beard has been the Adult Education, Living History, and Volunteer Coordinator at the Old State House Museum in Little Rock, Arkansas since October of 2003. Before that he worked as an interpreter for Arkansas State Parks, and studied politics at Hendrix College. Ian attended his first ALHFAM conference at the Rural Life Museum in Baton Rouge, LA in 2006 because it was close by. He instantly fell in love with the organization and its goals, and with the ALHFAMily that populates it. He has previously served on the SPAM committee, was conference chair for the 2011 Southeast regional, and as Southeast regional representative. To help advance living history in his home state, Ian was a founding member and first president of the Arkansas Living History Association; he is currently serving as a district representative on the ALHA board. Outside of work, Ian enjoys gardening, home brewing, and kickball along with spending time with his two cats and Courtney, his wonderful girlfriend.

Currently the Bicentennial Programs Coordinator at the USS Constitution Museum in Boston, MA, Lauren McCormack has been working in the museum field for over 10 years.  Previously, Lauren served as Executive Director of the Howard County Historical Society (MD) and Assistant Director of Education and Coordinator of Program Development at Old Sturbridge Village.  She served as Research Coordinator and the Massachusetts Foundation for Humanities Scholar in Residence at the USS Constitution Museum, studying African American sailors in the U.S. Navy during the War of 1812.  Lauren has been an ALHFAM member for over 5 years and served as Program Coordinator for the 2010 national conference at Old Sturbridge Village.  Lauren earned her B.A. in History and Theater Arts at Brandeis University and holds Master of Arts degrees from Brandeis in American History and Boston University in American and New England Studies.

Nat Norwood - Hello ALHFAMily, I am from Winston-Salem NC and have worked at Old Salem Museums & Gardens for the last 20 years. Some of you may remember my long-suffering wife, Mary Jane (Hill) from the late 80s when she attended several conventions. We have two boys, Nathaniel (17) & Thomas (15), many cats, chickens, a turtle, spider and an ever changing assortment of guinea pigs and one hairless rat. My title at Old Salem is Director of Historic Trades and I am responsible for a staff of nine but if you ask me, I am a metalworker, iron mostly but we work with silver and brass quite a bit at Salem. I like to sail when I can, usually to the detriment of housework and I also like old British motorcycles (Royal Enfield is my marque of choice). I look forward to meeting more of you in the years ahead.