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 in the spring of 2015 and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership in the fall of 2019, both from Kansas State University. Prior to joining the Flint Hills Discovery Center, Sally taught at USD 475 at Ware Elementary on Ft. Riley from 2015-2022 (1^st Grade: 2015-2021; 4^th Grade 2021-2022). 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.

Mary Preston

Volunteer Coordinator
Email | Phone: 785-587-2726, ext. 5613

Mary is a newcomer to Manhattan and has been exploring all the wonderful aspects of the city. After visiting the Flint Hills Discovery Center and hiking in the Konza Prairie, she is excited to be able to contribute to the mission of the FHDC as the new part-time Volunteer Coordinator. Mary is responsible for the ongoing development and management of a dynamic volunteer program. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Human Relations and a Master Certificate in Project Management from Mid America Nazarene University and George Washington University respectively. Prior to joining the Flint Hills Discovery Center, Mary was a senior IT manager for Sprint and H&R Block corporations and a ministry director at a large church in Arizona. She worked the last few years as an Interpretive Specialist at Biosphere 2, the largest earth science research center in the world, located in Arizona. Mary is married and has 2 wonderful daughters/sons-in-law and three grown grandchildren. She is currently building a home in Manhattan and hopes to be counted as a Manhattan permanent resident by March of 2023 when the house is projected to be move-in ready.

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.