Mimms Museum Board and Staff
Board of Directors
Lonnie Mimms – Founder and Board Chairman
Lonnie Mimms has over 35 years of experience working in the Commercial Real Estate industry. In his role as CEO of Mimms Enterprises, his primary responsibilities include making major corporate decisions, overseeing the company’s fiscal activity, and providing strategic direction for the company.
Prior to becoming CEO, he spent 22 years in several capacities for Mimms Enterprises and Malon D. Mimms Company, with roles as Chief Financial Officer and in sales acquisition, finance, leasing, and construction.
A lifelong computer enthusiast, Lonnie is the founder of Computer Museum of America, where he is also the curator and board chair. By founding the museum, he hopes to leave a legacy of a world-class museum that preserves the historical artifacts of the digital revolution and inspires future generations of innovators. He is also the co-founder of the Vintage Computer Festival Southeast.
He formerly served as Vice President of the Executive Board for Visit Roswell, and Roswell Inc. Lonnie is a native of Atlanta and graduated from Georgia Tech with a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
Favorite exhibit:
That’s like asking me to pick a favorite child. It’s all of them and the ones to come too!
First computer:
A Sol-20 my dad bought and I wrote programs on for the family real estate business from my bedroom.
Why I serve on the board:
To contribute, in collaboration with other board members, the insight, vision, and expertise necessary to build the museum into a world-class experience.
Nick Allen – Director
Nick began his career in 2005 as the founder and CEO of a network appliance startup company based out of the Illinois Institute of Technology’s incubator program. At GE Healthcare, he was a Lean/Design Thinking Leader from 2008-2012, served as the Director of Technology from 2012-2015, and led User Experience from 2015-2020. Currently, he is the Head of User Experience for Fidelity Institutional.
Nick has 20 years of Lean, Six Sigma, and Design Thinking experience, with influences from Stanford D School, IDEO, GE’s Doug Dietz, and ShingiJutsu. Nick is also the founder of School-for-Haiti, which is bringing world-class education to K-12 and University students in Haiti.
Favorite exhibit: The Pixar Image Computer. It’s extremely rare and shows how a company like Pixar had to build the very tools they needed to make the movies they always dreamed of.
First computer: My dad brought a TI-99 home for Christmas when I was five, and I remember he made a program that drew a Christmas tree on the TV.
Why I serve on the board: To help relive the stories many of us experienced growing up with the technology that inspired us, and to be able to experience those memories again with family and friends.
Nick Allen
Director
Gil Amelio – Director
During his four decades of technology and business leadership, Gil has achieved a number of business, scientific, and technological successes, including orchestrating the transformation of several Fortune 500 companies. He has served as the CEO and chairman of Apple Computer, the president, CEO and chairman of National Semiconductor, and the president of Rockwell Communication Systems, a unit of Rockwell International. He moved into venture capital with Sienna Ventures. After seeing several acquisitions through executive leadership roles, he retired in September 2008 and has since spent time launching and guiding several new companies and serving as the Chairman of the Board of two companies. Throughout his career, he has served in leadership roles for several associations, forums and institutes, and at the request of both President Reagan and President Bush.
Prior to his management career, he was a successful technologist. He is responsible for the development of the first practical charge coupled device (CCD) image sensor, which is used today to register images in consumer camcorders, professional video cameras, digital still cameras, and in astronomical and other equipment. The CCD is the eyeball of the Hubble Space Telescope and is used extensively at observatories around the world.
Gil is an IEEE Fellow, a retired pilot, holder of 17 patents, recipient of numerous awards, and is the author or co-author of three books. He earned his BS, MS, and PhD in physics at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Favorite exhibit: I enjoyed seeing the Apple 1 and Lisa 1 among the other impressive early micro-computers. I was also excited to see the Apple treasures in storage. That exhibition will be tremendous one day.
First computer: Apple 1
Why I serve on the board: There is no area untouched by technology today and many of us have witnessed it firsthand. From the race to space to the race to put computers in every home, these exciting stories need to be remembered and told. I am thrilled to bring my experience and expertise to the museum so that these stories, the stories being told today, and those to come are preserved for future generations.
Gil Amelio
Director
Michael Burns- Director
Michael Burns is the managing partner at Scroggin & Burns, LLC. His practice focuses on tax, estate and trust, and business planning. He is a frequent speaker on tax planning and serves as the President-Elect for the Florida Tax Institute. As an adjunct professor for three years at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School, Michael taught tax and estate planning courses.
Michael has previously served on the boards of other non-profits and is a founding member of RoswellNEXT.
Before entering practice, Michael received his law degree and LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. He is licensed to practice law in Georgia and Florida and is a member of the Atlanta Bar Association.
Favorite exhibit: Tribute to Apollo 11
First computer: 1995 Gateway 2000
Why I serve on the board: Mimms Museum and its team have compiled an unbelievable collection of historical technological items and exhibits. The museum has the ability to inspire young inventors, engineers, and leaders to build upon the innovation in computing power, which has become an extension of daily life. As a father of three young children, I hope to assist in this mission while preserving and honoring the contributions of past generations.
Michael Burns
Director
Alfred Dowe – Director
Dr. Alfred Dowe is currently a Senior Advisor of Business Development for the JE Group, LLC, which specializes in procurement and acquisition with the US Federal Government. His team strategically positions businesses for opportunities with government contracts and grants in alignment with the needs of over 400 federal government agencies. Dr. Dowe is also responsible for mapping nonprofit organizations to transformational funding partners within the public and private sectors.
Prior to joining the JE Group, Dowe was a major gift officer at United Way of Greater Atlanta and the University of Arkansas, where he facilitated the philanthropic strategies of some of the most generous donors in the world. During his time at the University of Arkansas, he was also a graduate student recruiter, where his strategic engagement with the Northwest Arkansas business, faith-based, sports, and cultural communities enabled the university to be ranked the 4th top school in the country, based on HBCU students enrolled in graduate and professional schools.
Dowe is also the President and Founder of A. Thomas Dowe Solutions, LLC., a global consulting firm that serves at the intersection of people, projects, and resources, creating connected global solutions and thought leadership for macro-level challenges.
He serves on the board of Athletes for a Better World and consults to numerous foundations on fundraising. He has been appointed as a judge with the Miss America Organization and community representative for the White House Black Community Stakeholders Committee, and is a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Dr. Dowe holds a BS in Political Science from James Madison University, an MS in Operations Management with a focus on Human Capital and Professional Behavior, and a Doctor of Science in Public Policy, with an emphasis on Higher Education Graduate Education Policy, both from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
Favorite exhibit: The evolution of the cell phone
First computer: A hand-built large PC with a monitor (no name brand)
Why I serve on the board: Rarely do you experience a museum that has exhibits of international quality and a global reputation that deserves more local and regional exposure. My hope is to help provide that.
Alfred Dowe
Director
David Larsen – Director
David Larsen is a retired instructor in electronic instrumentation and automation from Virginia Tech. He has acquired many computer artifacts, mostly related to microcomputer technology. From this collection, he opened the Bugbook Historical Microcomputer Museum in Floyd, VA, which operated from 2009-2016 (when the large collection was acquired by The Mimms). David was part of the Blacksburg Group, which built and designed digital teaching equipment and computers and taught hands-on courses for microcomputer users. They developed the Blacksburg Continuing Education Series of “Bugbooks” which were pioneering in helping students, engineers, scientists, technicians, and others to quickly learn how to use new technologies and electronic techniques.
David is a ham radio operator and was an electronics technician in the Navy. Since retiring from the University, David has founded charitable organizations related to amateur radio goodwill, education about technology, and community advancement.
Favorite exhibit:
The microcomputer exhibit. From the late 60s, I was heavily involved in teaching, creating the book series and training aids, and “lived” the years from the first microprocessor through the early years of personal computing. Thus, these historical microcomputers hold special meaning for me.
First computer:
A PDP 8 minicomputer which he used during some of his years at Virginia Tech.
Why I serve on the board:
I strongly support the vision to expand the museum as a leading innovation and technology museum with a wonderful reputation worldwide.
David Larsen
Director
Emily Phan – Director
Emily Phan is a seasoned technology executive with over 33 years of experience in high-tech startups, national non-profits, and Fortune 500 companies. As the Chief Technology Officer at Stand for Children, she has pioneered innovative solutions for national programs in K-12 education advocacy, juvenile criminal justice, and school services across America. Her work on the “Organizer App” for community organizers and the “We Teach Kindness” online teacher community were both highlighted by Salesforce.org at Dreamforce events.
Before joining Stand for Children, Emily was the Director of IT at ESI, a global manufacturer of laser-based equipment in Portland, Oregon, where she expanded technology into a global operating environment across 12 countries. Her expertise includes enterprise strategy, technology execution, turnaround, global operations, SaaS data center management, mergers & acquisitions, e-commerce, compliance, vendor & services management, client services, digital marketing, usability, quality assurance, and product development.
Emily holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Quantitative Analysis and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Portland State University. She has completed executive programs at the Oregon Graduate Institute and Harvard School of Business. Actively involved in the community, Emily serves as an advisor and evaluator of technology for the City of Portland, an executive mentor for SIMM, and an advisory council member of the PEM CIO Forum.
Favorite exhibit: The STEAM Timeline is an incredible composition of tech, people, stories, and pop culture.
First computer: An IBM PCjr.
Why I serve on the board: I serve on the board to help preserve and share the incredible history that shaped modern technology. My journey began with a family-shared IBM PCjr, sparking a lifelong passion for innovation and a career in tech. I’m dedicated to inspiring everyone to explore our tech heritage, honoring the pioneers who paved the way, and empowering young minds to imagine what comes next.
mimmsmuseum
Emily Phan
Director
Todd Rice – Director
Todd Rice is Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of RFA Management Company, LLC, and an accomplished family financial services office executive with 19 years of experience in a large, complex single-family office. He has held various roles in the financial arena during his career, such as auditor, controller, and chief financial officer.
In addition to his financial background, Todd has extensive experience in system development, investment support, client services, organizational and process management, among other areas.
A graduate of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, he holds a Bachelor of Commerce & Business Administration with an Accounting major and an MBA from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
Favorite exhibit: Recalling lunar landings from my childhood would prompt me to say “A Tribute to Apollo 11,” but I’ll go with my ongoing fascination with Supercomputing. And then there is Enigma…
First computer: Apple II (school) and IBM PC (home)
Why I serve on the CMoA board: To support the museum and its leadership in implementing and executing the shared vision for a world-class computer museum in Roswell, Georgia. Our community is incredibly fortunate to host such a wonderful institution that is a testament to global technological advances to date and a source of inspiration for future generations.
Todd Rice
Director
Steve Stroud – Director
Steve Stroud is the Executive Director of Roswell Inc, a 501c6 nonprofit that promotes economic development through a public-private partnership with the City of Roswell. Since the organization’s inception in 2012, Stroud has held this position, and under his leadership, Roswell Inc has developed networking, educational, and support programs for small businesses, and worked one-on-one with business owners, entrepreneurs, and state project managers to retain, expand and recruit businesses to Roswell. Additionally, in 2021, Roswell Inc became an accredited economic development organization (AEDO) through the International Economic Development Council.
Prior to Roswell Inc, Stroud owned and operated his own small business in Roswell, Stroud’s Printing & Design, for 30 years. An active member of the community, Stroud has been involved with civic and nonprofit organizations throughout North Fulton for more than 20 years. Most recently, joining the board of the North Fulton Community Improvement District.
Favorite exhibit:
The Apollo exhibit, because it’s nostalgic of my childhood.
First computer:
Heathkit
Why I serve on the board:
The Mimms represents not only the past, present, and future of technology, but it’s also a one-of-a-kind destination for Roswell. Destinations are the foundation of placemaking, which is key to successful economic development. With the city’s master planning underway, The museum will undoubtedly be a key piece of that vision.
mimmsmuseum
Steve Stroud
Director
Barkha Suri – Director
Barkha Suri is often described as a technology evangelist; she has had an impact through her work with various community-focused organizations. Her comprehensive professional IT experience has allowed her to deploy holistic solutions in education, business management, and development. She uses her creative experience as a way to bridge the gap between engineering and many other domains, focusing on increasing the participation of women and minorities in STEM fields. She is a leader in the design and delivery of STEM education programs, engaging the future brightest minds of America and enhancing their learning experience.
Barkha is the CEO of Strem HQ Tech Academy, Metro Atlanta, which she founded in 2015 to make technology education the nation’s #1 priority. Using the latest innovations in technology and robotics to enable students to have a propitious advantage for their future, over 18,000 future engineers, doctors, programmers, and scientists have been impacted throughout the United States. She also founded Socialyte Media, Metro Atlanta, in October of 2021, where she serves as the Chief Creative Officer.
She began her career in the commercial sector working in business development, project and product management, and quality assurance roles at Ozonix, Inc., Baxter Healthcare, Envision, Inc., and Parke Davis (India).
Barkha holds a Bachelor of Technology, a Bachelor in English, and a Master of Business Administration. Certifications include Six Sigma, Green Belt; Scrum Master, Scrum Product Owner; Executive Global Information Technology Management Certificate; and a Diploma in Marketing & Management.
Favorite exhibit:
A tribute to Apollo
First computer:
1988 Commodore PC20-III, Dial-up
Why I serve on the board:
The Mimms has amazed me from the moment I stepped inside the museum’s doors. With the integration of education and technology, the museum will enable great minds to gather and utilize the abundance of knowledge and history that the museum offers. I strongly believe that with the various awe-inspiring exhibits and the plethora of historical gadgets, This museum has the potential to enrich and inspire future generations as they take the journey of the evolution of technology through time.
Barkha Suri
Director
Museum Staff
Rena Youngblood – Executive Director
Rena Youngblood is the inaugural Executive Director of the Mimms Museum of Technology and Art, where she has led the organization since January 2020. Under her leadership, the museum has significantly increased attendance and public awareness—even amidst the challenges of a global pandemic—while establishing the foundation for a strong, well-managed nonprofit.
Rena oversees all facets of the museum’s operations, including fundraising, strategic partnerships, community outreach, and programming. With a dedicated team, she advances the museum’s mission to preserve and celebrate the stories, artifacts, and artistic expressions shaped by technology, while educating and inspiring visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
Before joining the museum, Rena served as Senior Director of Charter School Services at the Association of American Educators and as Director of Member Services at the Georgia Charter Schools Association. Her background in nonprofit leadership and education advocacy has equipped her with a deep understanding of stakeholder engagement and organizational growth.
Rena currently serves on the boards of Roswell Economic Development and Tourism, Inc. and the Innovation Academy Foundation. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature with a minor in Communication Studies from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Superpower: Resiliency with enthusiasm and endurance
“Enthusiasm is common. Endurance is rare.”
― Angela Duckworth
Favorite Exhibit: The one we’re working on…whatever it might be.
mimmsmuseum
Rena Youngblood
Executive Director
Elaine Pelaia – Director of Museum Operations
Elaine Pelaia joined the museum part-time in August 2019 as the weekend manager after volunteering as the Events Committee Chairperson before the museum’s opening. She initially moved to a part-time role as Operations Manager and then a full-time role in 2021 as the Director of Museum Operations. She oversees staff coordinating the event space rentals, admissions, group visits, and gift shop operations, including the POS and merchandise. As the operations lead, she is the primary liaison for the IT Team and facility vendors, and a host of other things. She has created processes, regularly proofreads and edits much of the exhibit description content and outbound communications, supports marketing efforts, and leads the museum-hosted events. Currently, she is primarily involved in the coordination of the facility expansion and upgrades, working as the primary point of contact for all of the trades building out the future Apple exhibit opening in the spring of 2026 and other enhancement projects.
Elaine brings over 35 years of experience from IBM, where she project-managed numerous types of internal and client events, marketing campaigns, print deliverables, budgets, staff, and vendors. This background combination has helped the museum move forward with great efficiency. A graduate of SUNY Plattsburgh with a bachelor’s degree in Business and a minor in Marketing, she also holds the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) certification.
Superpower: Can spot a typo in an instant
Favorite Exhibit: The IBM Punchcard (I’m an IBM retiree!)
Elaine Pelaia
Director of Museum Operations
Deb Cozzone – Collections Assistant
Deb Cozzone joined the museum in 2018 to begin the task of caring for the fast-growing collection of artifacts and archives. After 13 years as a technical and business analyst for EDS, Deb moved to part-time positions, including substitute teaching and volunteering for non-profits while being a full-time mom. The opportunity at the museum was a perfect fit for her skillset of streamlining processes and bringing order to chaos. Her responsibilities include cleaning, researching, documenting, and cataloging the many artifacts in the collection. She enjoys volunteering at museum events and sharing her knowledge of the history of the museum and its contents.
Super Power: Can fix anything with a safety pin, a shoestring, and a ballpoint pen
Favorite Exhibit: Enigma, because she loves puzzles and likes to “wow” people with the 159,000,000,000,000,000,000 possible code settings on the Enigma
Deb Cozzone
Collections Assistant
Becah Jubon – Education & Public Programs Manager
Becah Jubon joined the museum in June of 2022. She creates and coordinates educational programs for school groups and scouts, as well as other workshops and learning opportunities for the general public. Aligning state education standards to the exhibits and delivering that content in an engaging way is a key component in the development of the field trip program. Forging partnerships with educators and Scout troop leaders to expand the museum’s outreach is another important focus.
After 15 years of teaching science at the High School level, she decided it was time to get back to her museum roots — a combination that was very timely for the museum. Becah holds a Master’s degree in Museum Studies from The George Washington University, is a licensed Georgia teacher, and completed a graduate certificate in Instructional Design from Boise State University in December 2022.
Superpower: Can translate complex concepts or ideas into a simple analogy on the fly
Favorite Exhibit: The Lunar Lander in the Apollo Exhibit – Can you imagine being crammed in that tiny vehicle covered in foil while on your way to step foot on the Moon?
Becah Jubon
Education & Public Programs Manager
Ida Newkirk – Events Coordinator
Ida Newkirk joined the museum in July 2024 as the events coordinator. In this role she responds to RFPs, manages site visits and pre-planning with event hosts, contracts and invoices all event bookings, supervises event space setup, and is the primary onsite lead during events. She also manages the bar for each event.
Ida earned her bachelor’s in Journalism with a minor in graphic design but realized shortly after graduating that hospitality was her true calling. Ida brings over ten years of experience coordinating events such as small intimate gatherings, corporate events, large scale weddings, and social events. Ida puts a strong emphasis on connecting with each client and delivering exceptional events that surpass client expectations.
Superpower: The ability to put out any fire gracefully; pivot gracefully
Favorite Exhibit: The BYTE Magazine Wall and the stories the covers tell during the early years of publication
Ida Newkirk
Events Coordinator
Thomas Peterson – Membership and Development Coordinator
Thomas Paterson joined the museum in August 2025 as the Membership and Development Coordinator. He is responsible for managing and enhancing the museum’s individual and corporate membership programs, as well as supporting fundraising initiatives. He contributes to fundraising efforts by writing grant proposals, cultivating donor relationships, and coordinating campaigns.
Thomas earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history from Georgia State University. In April 2022, he joined History Cherokee’s team as the Development & Communications Coordinator, where he developed crucial skills in member outreach, donor cultivation, and effective communication.
Superpower: The ability to make anyone feel welcomed and eager to get involved
Favorite Exhibit: Chip Wall
Thomas Paterson
Membership and Development Coordinator
Brigitta Pupillo – Visitor & Volunteer Services Manager
Brigitta Pupillo joined the museum in 2024. She oversees admissions, the gift shop, and the volunteer program. Her work primarily focuses on recruiting and training volunteers to support the museum’s mission, while also fostering an engaging and enjoyable environment for both volunteers and visitors.In addition, she also organizes group visits outside of school groups, and helps coordinate events the museum hosts for visitors during open hours.
She received her Bachelor’s in Anthropology and is passionate about cultural and historical preservation. Throughout her undergraduate years she was involved with non-profit organizations focused on promoting democracy and protecting the environment.
Superpower: Getting people excited about cleaning
Favorite Exhibit: Supercomputing exhibit – the computers look right off the set of Star Trek!
Brigitta Pupillo
Visitor & Volunteer Services Manager
Ben Schmidt – Collections Specialist
Ben Schmidt completed a summer internship in the museum’s collections department in 2021 and joined full-time in January 2023 to organize and accession the vast collection. His responsibilities include cleaning, researching, documenting, and cataloging the collection, managing collection/archival interns, and writing copy for exhibits and social media.
He received his Bachelor’s in History with a minor in Public History from Kennesaw State University and a Master’s in Heritage Preservation at Georgia State with a focus in the museum field. Ben has worked with the Atlanta Preservation Center on a variety of projects, as well as several museums in the Atlanta area.
Superpower: His background in history provides research and writing skills
Favorite Exhibit: The Race to Space in the Apollo exhibit – what’s not to love about space exploration?
Ben Schmidt
Collections Specialist
Staff photos courtesy of c.s.thephotographer
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