Meet the Staff

We are lucky to have an incredible staff made up of these highly energetic individuals:

Michael J. Moratto, Consulting Executive

Dr. Moratto retired from a university teaching career in 2005, and is Senior Archaeologist with Applied EarthWorks, Inc. He has devoted his career to studies of past environments and peoples of the American West. Dr. Moratto is a Fellow and Research Associate of the California Academy of Sciences and past president of local, statewide, and national professional societies. He has also served on the State Historical Resources Commission, the National Science Foundation’s Advisory Panel for Archaeology, and a national panel on museum/Native American relations. He has directed hundreds of projects involving archaeology and cultural resources management throughout the Far West. In the context of such projects, he has consulted with Native Americans representing more than 20 tribes. Among his nearly 200 publications, California Archaeology (1984, 2004) has been praised by reviewers as the definitive work in the field, and has been adopted widely as a textbook. In recognition of his professional accomplishments, Dr. Moratto has received numerous honors and awards from professional societies, universities, civic organizations, and governmental agencies. Among these is the Thomas F. King Award for Excellence in Cultural Resources Management.

Tracy J. Frick - Interim Executive Director

Ms. Frick has more than 20 years of experience managing business. Well-versed in the operations of non-profit organizations, Ms. Frick spent eight years as the executive director of the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation in San Diego. Her vast business background also includes several years working with the intricacies of marketing, both with development of material and working as the public face of media. Although much of her career has been spent in San Diego, Ms. Frick lives in the Inland Empire and eagerly welcomed the opportunity to work closer to home and help the Western Center grow.

Paisley S. Cato - Assistant Director

Dr. Cato has more than 25 years experience with the care and management of collections. Before joining the staff in 2006, she spent eight years at the San Diego Natural History Museum as Curator of Collections Care & Conservation. She has worked with collections in a variety of disciplines and a variety of institutions, including the Virginia Museum of Natural History, Texas Cooperative Wildlife Collection at Texas A&M University, the Brazos Valley Museum (Bryan, Texas) and the Denver Museum of Natural History. Dr. Cato obtained a B.A. in Zoology from Smith College (Mass.), an M.A. in Museum Science from Texas Tech University, and a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University, specializing in Museum Studies. Her dissertation focused on a characterization of natural history museums and the role of collections as the focus for the mission of these museums. She has successfully obtained numerous Conservation Project Support Grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, as well as co-authored Biological Research Collections grants from the National Science Foundation. Dr. Cato publishes in museum studies journals and books, and has taught undergraduate and continuing education courses in museum studies and collections management.

Joyce E. Simanek - Museum Store & Admissions Manager

Ms. Simanek comes to the Western Center with an extensive and diverse seventeen years of retail experience. Simanek is a longtime resident of the Hemet area, who spent eight years working in Temecula Valley Wine Country at some of the area's most prestigious wineries. Her retail and business knowledge is extensive and varied enough to provide capable operations. She is also highly skilled in planning admissions for very large groups, as well as for individual guests. Simanek has a great understanding of the national market availability to find one-of-a-kind and exclusive products to be offered in the Mastodon Trading Company, as well as an enduring pride in the community, which enhances every shopper's experience.

Sue Tatosian - Event Coordinator

Ms. Tatosian has more than 22 years of experience in organizing events. A well-known community leader in Riverside, Tatosian put her organizational skills to the test, coordinating fashion shows for Steinmart, while simultaneously serving as a community liaison for Inland Empire Magazine. Prior to that, Tatosian established and operated a successful bakery and catering business in Riverside, earning a reputation as one of the most skilled and creative caterers in Riverside County. She has donated a lot of her time, serving on many boards for community and charitable organizations.

Paul Bailey - Principal, Western Center Academy

Mr. Bailey is a graduate of Principia College with a degree in History and received his MBA from the University of Redlands. He is very active in the Hemet /San Jacinto community, working with the Hemet Education Foundation, PTSA, and community volunteer organizations. Mr. Bailey has worked in education for over 10 years with a focus in history and student activities. His experience working with student leaders is evident in his enthusiasm for building education programs that allow students to interact with experts and help to teach others. He was Museum Educator at the Western Center before returning to Hemet Unified School District as Principal of the new charter school.