Who's Who
Our Mission Statement The Western Center for Archaeology & Paleontology is dedicated to the preservation, curation, interpretation, and presentation of archaeological and paleontological artifacts and fossils. The Western Center provides educational, research, and service opportunities to the general public and to students, faculty and staff from learning institutions as a means of advancing knowledge and understanding of the environmental history, cultural heritage and the importance of water to life in the region.
The Western Center provides a repository for archaeological and paleontological materials and the documentation of cultural and natural histories from this region. Campus facilities and professional expertise are focused to extract maximum knowledge from these materials, advance the understanding of our collective past and to provide a scientific foundation in planning for our future.
Staff
Richard Giese - Executive Director
Richard Giese has more than 35 years of experience in higher education. Dr. Giese established himself as an effective leader and a dedicated administrator with a strong commitment to the community. His many affiliations include sitting on the board of directors for Hemet-San Jacinto Chamber of Commerce, Riverside’s Monday Morning Group, the Murrieta-Temecula Group and the Hemet/San Jacinto Action Group. Giese served on the Western Center Community Foundation board from 1999 until his recent resignation to apply for the executive director position. Giese was superintendent and president of Mt. San Jacinto Community College District for seven years. Before that he spent eight years as president at Reedley College and six years at Fresno State University in charge of administration, instruction, student support and maintenance. Giese’s own education began at San Diego Mesa Community College and he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of San Diego, where he later worked in school relations. He received his doctorate degree in education from the University of La Verne in 1996.
Paisley S. Cato - Assistant Director Dr. Cato has extensive experience with the care and management of collections, most recently having 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. 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. Cato publishes in museum studies journals and books, and has taught undergraduate and continuing education courses in museum studies and collections management.
Paul Bailey - Museum Educator
Paul Bailey is a graduate of Principia College with a degree in History and received his MBA from the University of Redlands. Mr. Bailey is very active in the Hemet / San Jacinto community working with the Hemet Education Foundation, Grad Night Committee, PTSA, and community volunteer organizations. Mr. Bailey has worked in education for 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.
Dona L. Barber- Development Director
Ms. Barber has more than 15 years in University Advancement and in fundraising with various universities and major non-profits, such as Father Flanagan's Boy's Home. A University of Oregon "Duck", Barber joined her alma mater for six years following two years at the Hult Center for Performing Arts in Eugene, Oregon. Career advancement took her to the College of Business at the University of Nevada, Reno, and then San Diego State University and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, each move contributing to her experiences as a fundraiser and event planner. Drawn to the Inland Empire, Barber can often be seen helping out in her community, contributing time and expertise to the Assistance League of Hemacinto.Barber enjoys yoga, outdoor activities including kayaking and scuba diving, and finds the Western Center an awesome and exciting museum. "Every day I learn something new!"
Tracy J. Frick - Business Manager
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.
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 our Museum Store, as well as an enduring pride in the community, which enhances every shopper's experience.
Sue Tatosian, Event Coordinator
Sue 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.
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