Meet Our Staff
Susan Adams
Director
Email | Phone: 785-587-2741
Susan Adams is no stranger to the Flint Hills Discovery Center. Susan joined the Discovery Center in 2011 while it was still in the development stages and was instrumental in opening the facility in 2012. She has served at the facility in many capacities and became the Director in 2016. Susan worked for several non-profits before joining the FHDC. Susan and her family have lived in the Westmoreland area since 2002 in their beloved limestone home that was built in 1877.
Stephen Bridenstine
Assistant Director/Development
Email | Phone: 785-587-2742
Stephen assists all facets of the Discovery Center operation with a strong focus on membership, sponsorships, grant writing, and ongoing collaboration with the Flint Hills Discovery Center Foundation. For nearly seven years, he served as Curator of Education at the Discovery Center, leading the education department. Stephen previously worked at the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum in Clewiston, FL and several positions with the National Park Service including Yellowstone National Park and Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site. Stephen holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan in History, Master of Arts in History from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, and Master of Public Administration from Kansas State University.
Roy Garrett
Exhibits/Operations Manager
Email | Phone: 785-587-2726, ext. 5606
Roy Garrett serves as manager for the 10,000 square feet of permanent exhibits on display at the facility. He supervises building operations and is responsible for the implementation and development of engaging temporary exhibits. Roy is a seasoned museum veteran, having worked for 15 years at the Corpus Christi Museum of Natural History. He is a Kansas State University alumnus and a proud parent.
Sally Dreher
Curator of Education
Email | Phone: 785-587-2726, ext. 5603
Sally is responsible for the development, delivery, and assessment of the Discovery Center’s educational, interpretive, and public programming offerings and supervises one full-time educator and several seasonal educators. She received her Bachelor of Science in Education with an emphasis in Social Science and a minor in Music and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership, both from Kansas State University. Prior to joining the Flint Hills Discovery Center, Sally taught at USD 475 at Ware Elementary on Ft. Riley. She was born and raised in Wamego, KS. Sally bought her first home with her significant other in 2020 where they live with their fur baby, an English Mastiff named Arabella, “Bella”.
For education inquiries, please email FHDCeducation@cityofmhk.com or call 785-587-2726 and ask to speak to the education department.
Jonathan Mertz
Event Supervisor/Volunteer Coordinator
Email | Phone: 785-587-2726, ext. 5607
Jonathan is responsible for facility rentals as well as special events at the FHDC. He assists in all event needs, from hosting a small group meeting to planning a dream wedding. A graduate of Wamego High School and then Kansas State University, he is the fourth generation of his family to live in the Flint Hills. After spending several years working with non-profits in Washington, DC, Jonathan returned to his home in the Flint Hills.
Mary Hildreth
Guest Services/Membership Manager
Email | Phone: 785-587-2726, ext. 5609
Mary manages the guest services team, gift store coordinator and our membership program. She has 14 years of experience working in management with a focus on customer service and efficiency, working as a practice manager and corporate trainer in the medical field. She moved to Kansas to attend the University of Kansas, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She is a proud Midwesterner and loves the Flint Hills region. Mary, husband Robert, and their three children live in Wamego.
Kat Colburn
Education Supervisor
Email | Phone: 785-587-2726, ext. 5608
Kat is responsible for the development and implementation of our education programs, as well as caring for our live animals. She was born and raised in Manhattan and graduated from K-State with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She moved to the mountains of Colorado following graduation until the tallgrass prairie (and family) called her home. She has experience in both elementary and secondary classrooms with emphasis in science and social studies.
Deanna Likes
Marketing Coordinator
Email | Phone: 785-587-2726, ext. 5610
Deanna handles all marketing strategy and social media content creation for the Discovery Center. Deanna has lived in Manhattan since 2004 with her husband and son. Deanna has a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications and Film from Southwestern College in Winfield, KS, in the beautiful Flint Hills, and a Master of Arts in Communication from Wichita State University.
Penny Cullers
Gift Store Coordinator
Email | Phone: 785-587-2726, ext. 5604
Penny is responsible for the purchasing of new products, inventory accountability and sales at the Gift Store. She previously worked for fifteen years as a manager and buyer for Varney’s Book Store in Manhattan and brings her retail experience along with her love of the Flint Hills to assist in the Gift Store’s success. Penny has a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts from Kansas State University.
Adam Hodge
Volunteer Coordinator
Email | Phone: 785-587-2726, ext. 5613
Adam is responsible for the ongoing recruitment, training, and management of FHDC volunteers and the volunteer program. Adam has a BA in History from Thiel College (PA), MA in History from Kent State University (OH), and a PhD (also in History) from the University of Nebraska. He was a history professor at Lourdes University in Northwest Ohio for 10 years. In addition to teaching, Adam published scholarship on Western history, with some focusing on the Great Plains and chaired the Department of History for several years. He loves being outdoors and is an avid fly fisherman. Adam was raised in Orwell, Ohio. He and his wife have one daughter.
Zac Doyle
Facility Technician
Phone: 785-587-2726, ext. 5605
Zac began working for the City of Manhattan in 2006 as a custodian for City Hall and transitioned to the Flint Hills Discovery Center in early 2012 shortly before the facility opened.