Fred Goss Email & Phone Number

Kansas City Metropolitan Area

Resurrected a languishing living history program, developed and implemented state curriculum-based education programs for K-12 at a National Landmark. Selected and merchandised museum store into a profitable revenue generating enterprise. Developed inaugural mission statement through the recruitment of a racially and ethnically diverse regional and international focus group to share the history of the diverse Fort Osage from 1808-1822. Reestablished working partnership with two regions of the National Park Service, Midwest and Intermountain. Manage promotional and informational social media posts, write press releases and plan annual special events and workshops. Administer the annual budget, recruit, hire, onboard and train staff and volunteers. Supported the successful reestablishmet of a nonprofit for the fiscal support of the National Landmark in the summer of 2024. Wrote application to be listed on the National Park Service's Network to Freedom web site and national map.

United States

Providing consulting services for historical sites, museums and diverse cultural organizations.

Manhattan, Ks

Oversaw day-to-day management of a 35,000 square foot attraction and $900,000 annual operating budget. Served as staff liaison to the FHDC Foundation Board and FHDC Advisory Board. Supervised five direct staff reports with a total staff of fifteen staff members. Supported the coordination and recognition of a $750,000 cash gift for the inaugural naming opportunity for the FHDC. Established relationship with National Park Service's Freedom Frontiers National Heritage area and led initiative to bring 2017 Kansas Museum Association's annual conference to Manhattan, Kansas. Oversaw establishment of member's quarterly newsletter, Tallgrass, and new individual and corporate memberships. Developed in concert with FHDC staff annual spring Flint Hills Festival event.

Bennett Spring State Park

Assisted in the administration and operation of a 3,100 acre state park with 197 camp sitesinterpretive nature center, park retail store, dining lodge, trout stream, 65 lodging accommodationsSupervised and scheduled four seasonal staff, two full time staff and up to twelve volunteer campground hosts. Recruited and scheduled volunteer hosts for seasonal staffing of check station staff, handy hosts and roving hosts. Co supervised and conducted annual performance evaluations for eight full time staff members, in addition to setting and monitoring their work/performance plansWrote and submitted monthly and weekly reports to district office. Served on Division of Missouri State Parks differential pricing committee which researched and proposed new state wide camping fee structure based on market feasibility and use.

Greensboro, North Carolina

Provided day to day management of an American Associaiton of Museums accredited museum; supervised eight department heads and managed $1.2 million in annual municipal and private financial support. Fundraising steering committee member for capital campaign which has raised more than $2.1 million (initial goal $1.6 million). Coordinated information efforts for passage of a $5.3 million bond to replace twenty-plus year old exhibits. Chief spokesman for museum projects and operations to regional media outlets, and numerous public speaking events. Liaison to Greensboro Historical Museum, Inc. Board of Trustees and subcommittees. Implemented 8,000 square foot exhibit renovation which opened in mid 2010, awarded 2011 AASLH Award of Merit. Secured two successful traveling exhibitions for museum; Liberty and Freedom - North Carolina’s Copy of the Bill of Rights, and Down Home: Jewish Life in North Carolina. Organized board/staff team that selected vendor for new museum brand including logo, tag line, web site, social media, newsletter and collatoral materials Conducted sponsorship solicitations for museum programs, operations and capital giftsEstablished Lion Heart Society planned giving program with nonprofit board. Founded Smithsonian Institution Affiliate partnership and completed successful AAM reaccreditation application. Developed cooperative partnerships with fellow cultural institutions and led Museum Shop consultation, remodeling and remerchandising efforts.

Grand Island Nebraska

Performed consulting services for cultural organizationsAssisted the City of Grand Island, Nebraska State Historical Society's Historic Preservation Office and the Hall County Historical Society with renovations to historic William Stolley House. Provided initial oversight of the renovations of the house, thought to be the oldest existing home in the State of Nebraska, for preservation and adaptive use

Grand Island, Nebraska

Managed daily operations and development of a 200 acre, American Associations of Museums accredited living history museum and park with annual visitation of more than 50,000Supervised ten department heads and served as a board member of the Grand Island/Hall County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Introduced corporate sponsorships to operating budget, acquired free advertising utilizing direct mailings; provided oversight of $1.1 million of contracted capital improvements as part of a $2.6 million capital campaign. Served on goal setting committee for annual fundraising campaign, assisted Director of Museum Foundation and Initiated administration of $112,000 IMLS General Operating Support grant; administered $400,000 TEA-21 grant from the Nebraska Department of RoadsCompleted successful American Aslliance of Museums reaccreditation application in summer 2001

Oversaw management of daily operations for an AAM accredited open-air museum with average annual attendance of more than 60,000 Served on team that coordinated museum rebrandingActively participated in long term and strategic planning for the museumDeveloped a recreated general store exhibit into a period retail operation for interpretive and additional revenue streamAssisted in preparing budget of $1.1 million, including city, county and private funding sourcesManaged Interpretation Department including 4 full time and 15 seasonal staff members with an $180,000 budgetMember of museum reaccreditation teamResearched, wrote and implemented master interpretive plan

Wichita, Kansas Area

Directed seven departments: Collections, Maintenance, Interpretation, Development, Education, Operations, Guest ServicesPurchased television, radio and print advertising for museum eventsActively involved in $4.3 million capital campaign through cultivation of current and prospective donorsPresented special event sponsorship requests to potential donorsServed on Museums a la Carte Planning Committee, annual fundraiser for five museums, earned $5,000 per institutionAttended bi-weekly meeting with Assistant County Manager and fellow County Department HeadsRemodeled museum gift shop for increased revenue and expanded guest servicesStaff liasion to Old Cowtown Museum Board of Trustees

Directed $500,000 construction project to establish 1880 era farmstead as part of a $4.3 million capital campaignPurchased and restored period farm equipment, researched and acquired period appropriate livestockCoordinated 1880 farmstead fabrication efforts with architects, contractors and staff construction crewsChaired weekly project meetings, participated in special event planningCreated interpretive and educational programming for museum staffScreened, interviewed and hired seasonal interpreter applicants

Graduate student liaison to Coles County Historical Society, supervised four graduate students in accessioning process. Monitored Historical Society’s artifact acquisition, wrote accessioning policies, attended Board of Trustees meetings. Team member that researched, designed and constructed 2,400 sq. ft. gallery exhibit for The Early American Museum

Urbandale, Iowa

Agricultural Manager of recreated 1850 farm siteSupervised and trained staff, volunteers and summer internsCreated policy for cross training interpretive staff to have a working knowledge of all areas of the 15 acre recreated 1850 farm site; provided orientation for new volunteersConducted cirriculum-based, on site education programs for K-12 studentsInstructor for Drake University Teacher’s Recertification Workshop

Ba, History

Ma, Historic Administration

Scholarship graduate student and graduate assistant