Our Mission
Our Board Members
John Drury
Ibiyinka Alao
Ibiyinka graduated from the University of Ife in Nigeria with a Master's degree in Architecture. He won the first place amongst 61 countries in the prestigious United Nations International Arts Competition and is currently the United Nations Arts Ambassador. Along with John Lennon, he is one of only five artists whose artwork is recognized globally as representing the original UN charter for peace.
His childhood story, Ibi’s Fireflies won the Grand Prize of the Nonfiction Category of the Scholastic Kids Are Authors Writing Contest and is filed by the Smithsonian Museum Library as his biography in Washington, D.C. It was adapted from his original book, My Fireflies: Memories of My Childhood.
Ibiyinka has been involved with the Mauch Chunk Museum and Cultural Center since he first visited the schools in Jim Thorpe in 2012 and is happy to serve as the Museum’s current President and CEO.
president@mauchchunkmcc.org
Kaila Buck Alao
Kaila Buck Alao has always been interested in history, arts, and culture and even as a child she delved deeply into the past, civilizations, customs, and traditions of both America and around the world. After graduating with an AA in Early Childhood Education, she continued to foster her interest in history, arts, and culture, and in 2020 Kaila began working as the Logistics and Programming Coordinator at Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation - an Indian performing arts and cultural nonprofit located in Bentonville, Arkansas. After meeting her husband, Ibiyinka, and getting married soon after, she moved to Pennsylvania in early 2023 where she began getting involved with the Mauch Chunk Museum and Cultural Center, and later that same year she became a Board Member. Being the current Vice-President and Executive Director at the Mauch Chunk Museum has fulfilled her lifelong dream of working in a museum and she looks forward to continuing to serve and educate the community of Jim Thorpe and beyond.
director@mauchchunkmcc.org
Barbara Mumma
Barbara has a background as an Executive Assistant and Secretary. In New York City she began her career working as a Secretary for the CBS Television Network for five years. A highlight during this time was being able to attend many live shows and sometimes meet the talent. She and her twin sister, Dottie, have special memories of February 1964 – they sat in one of the front rows of the audience at the Ed Sullivan Show. They excitedly witnessed the very first live performances of The Beatles.
Later, Barbara worked as the Secretary/Executive Assistant for the President of Jack Morton Worldwide, a major marketing company. Next, her career shifted to Hollywood, California, where she was a legal secretary for an entertainment law firm. After returning East, she rejoined Jack Morton Worldwide, working with the key management and creative teams for another long period of time.
The town’s beauty brought her to Jim Thorpe where she worked as a legal secretary, and then as a production manager for a local Carbon County magazine. The love of community involvement and cherishing the town’s historical roots led Barbara to the Mauch Chunk Museum and Cultural Center, Inc.
From July 2019 through October 2022, Barbara was the History Guide/Docent at the Kemmerer Carriage House which is located downtown next to Kemmerer Park. Barbara shared the town’s local stories, especially the “front hill families” which had their homes next to Kemmerer Park, (located downtown overlooking the Lehigh River). As the Secretary/Treasurer of the Museum, Barbara works closely with the President and other Board Members. She also assists with details for the Mauch Chunk Museum and Ballroom’s event programs.
Personally, Barbara and her twin sister, Dottie, recently had published a book of their late mother, Dorothy’s, poetry. The book also includes copies of Dorothy’s watercolor paintings. Additionally, many of Barbara’s photographs are aligned in the book with many of her mother’s poems. The book is entitled Does Every Little Bud on the Bush that Grows Try to Make Room for Another Rose? This title is the line of one of her mother, Dorothy’s, poems. This book is published by Christian Faith Publishing and is available from various online book selling websites. It is sold in hard cover, soft cover, and e-book versions.
Barbara and Dottie live in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, with their small dog.
michelle loughery
Born and raised in Southeastern PA, a job change in 1999 shifted Michelle to relocate north of New York City. That area became the launching point for her and her husband, Tom to embark on an amazing trip across the U.S. and Canada, visiting fourty-two states and three provinces, putting 55,000 miles on their Jeep Cherokee Sport, for a total of thirteen and a half months.
They both realized that coming off the road and assimilating back into the world again was going to be a challenge. It left them confused as to where to settle and what to do for a living. Tom’s passion for mountain biking brought him to Jim Thorpe during the mid to late 1990s, so they decided to move to this outdoor adventure town. Their desire, based on their experiences across America, was to start an accommodation business for travelers like themselves. If they couldn’t be the ones doing so, they would live vicariously through those who were.
Coincidentally their guesthouse ended up right next-door to the Mauch Chunk Museum, becoming John Drury’s neighbors for over twenty years. Over the years, many events happened in that building, from Chamber of Commerce Meetings, to other functions, gatherings and festivals. The Ballroom became a special place in Michelle and Tom’s heart though, as it was the site of their local wedding reception for their new friends in the area. Michelle also surprised Tom with his 50th birthday party there and this space is currently the location where they host their friends' and family's Thanksgiving Dinner every November. It has been a blessing to have The Ballroom become an extension of their home.
Michelle's presence provides the MCMCC Board with a background in sales, marketing, fundraising, customer service, entrepreneurialism, along with creativity. She brings another perspective on how this gem in Jim Thorpe, showcasing the town's history and culture, needs to be shared with the local community and beyond.
Melissa Thiessen
Melissa Thiessen, a resident of Jim Thorpe since 2017, has been a frequent visitor since 2001, and has loved learning about the history of this great town and the surrounding area.
After leaving her high school physics teaching career to become a wife, mother and business partner to her husband in 2010, she decided to support her growing family by homeschooling, managing a local food buying club and eventually, starting a small vegetable farm, a lifelong dream that she’s held and continues to work at.
Being involved at the Mauch Chunk Museum & Cultural Center as the Logistics Coordinator is a new and exciting adventure where she can use her skills to oversee the cohesiveness of events and programming taking place throughout the year, while contributing to the community she adores.
William Allison
Joseph Korba
Karliene Zack
Karliene Zack was born in Lewiston, Idaho. When she was eight-years-old her family moved to Portland, Oregon.
Karliene joined the Civil Air Patrol at the age of sixteen and then signed up for the Air Force right after graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1970. She went into the Air Force three weeks later. In the Air Force, she worked as an Administrative Specialist in Special Services on base. After Technical training she was stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota where she met her future husband, Bill. She was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant two years later. When they were discharged, they moved to live in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Having settled in Pennsylvania, she worked as a sales clerk at Hess’s Department Store and then went on to other jobs until she had her first child. Her next occupation was working at the Turkey Hill, and at WYNS Radio Station as the Traffic Director. They moved to Jim Thorpe in 1988 along with their two daughters.
In 2016, Karliene produced a Historical Fashion Show “Ten Decades of Fashion” in the Ballroom of the Mauch Chunk Museum and Cultural Center. One year later, Karliene began working at the Mauch Chunk Museum as a museum tour guide. In 2018, she became the Director of the Museum. Her husband Bill is the Property Manager and Co-Director of the Museum. Karliene greets customers and gives tours detailing the very important role the town had in our country’s history.
Karliene is also an artist and jewelry maker. She uses pieces of anthracite coal, which are sometimes referred to as black diamonds, in her hand-carved jewelry. Karliene makes ladies’ necklaces and bracelets as well as ladies’ and men’s rings. Karliene hand carves the coal pieces to fit the different settings. Her jewelry is sold at the Mauch Chunk Museum as well as at the National Canal Museum in Easton, PA.
William Zack
William Zack was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania on October 24, 1949. He graduated from William Allen High School in 1967. Bill joined the Air Force in 1969 and worked on Minuteman Missiles. He married Karliene Walker on July 28, 1973. Shortly after, William was discharged and he and his new bride moved back to Allentown.
In 1973, he started Sheetmetal Technical School through The Sheetmetal Workers Union Local 19. He worked in HVAC and Architectural Sheetmetal for thirty-one years and retired in 2004.
William joined the Mauch Chunk Museum & Cultural Center in 2019 as Museum Co-Director & Property Manager.
Nora Kattner
Nora joined the Museum's Board of Directors after being introduced to John Drury through mutual colleagues. Inspired by the Museum's mission and the untapped potential of its event space, as the MCMCC Events & Programming Coordinator, she is committed to helping expand opportunities for community programming, special events and meaningful visitor experiences.
She is also the in-house baker for the Museum, bringing passion for hospitality, community engagement and exceptional from-scratch baking to every event. With extensive experience in creating handcrafted baked goods, Nora specializes in both traditional recipes and gluten-free offerings, ensuring that guests of all dietary needs feel welcome and included.
But for Nora, the Museum has become more than a workspace - it has fostered lasting relationships and a strong sense of community. She is proud to contribute her creativity, organizational skills and enthusiasm to support the Museum's continued growth and its role as a welcoming gathering place for Jim Thorpe and surrounding communities.
Robert Stevenson
Our Staff
Kaila Buck Alao
Kaila Buck Alao has always been interested in history, arts, and culture and even as a child she delved deeply into the past, civilizations, customs, and traditions of both America and around the world. After graduating with an AA in Early Childhood Education, she continued to foster her interest in history, arts, and culture, and in 2020 Kaila began working as the Logistics and Programming Coordinator at Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation - an Indian performing arts and cultural nonprofit located in Bentonville, Arkansas. After meeting her husband, Ibiyinka, and getting married soon after, she moved to Pennsylvania in early 2023 where she began getting involved with the Mauch Chunk Museum and Cultural Center, and later that same year she became a Board Member. Being the current Vice-President and Executive Director at the Mauch Chunk Museum has fulfilled her lifelong dream of working in a museum and she looks forward to continuing to serve and educate the community of Jim Thorpe and beyond.
director@mauchchunkmcc.org
Barbara Mumma
Barbara has a background as an Executive Assistant and Secretary. In New York City she began her career working as a Secretary for the CBS Television Network for five years. A highlight during this time was being able to attend many live shows and sometimes meet the talent. She and her twin sister, Dottie, have special memories of February 1964 – they sat in one of the front rows of the audience at the Ed Sullivan Show. They excitedly witnessed the very first live performances of The Beatles.
Later, Barbara worked as the Secretary/Executive Assistant for the President of Jack Morton Worldwide, a major marketing company. Next, her career shifted to Hollywood, California, where she was a legal secretary for an entertainment law firm. After returning East, she rejoined Jack Morton Worldwide, working with the key management and creative teams for another long period of time.
The town’s beauty brought her to Jim Thorpe where she worked as a legal secretary, and then as a production manager for a local Carbon County magazine. The love of community involvement and cherishing the town’s historical roots led Barbara to the Mauch Chunk Museum and Cultural Center, Inc.
From July 2019 through October 2022, Barbara was the History Guide/Docent at the Kemmerer Carriage House which is located downtown next to Kemmerer Park. Barbara shared the town’s local stories, especially the “front hill families” which had their homes next to Kemmerer Park, (located downtown overlooking the Lehigh River). As the Secretary/Treasurer of the Museum, Barbara works closely with the President and other Board Members. She also assists with details for the Mauch Chunk Museum and Ballroom’s event programs.
Personally, Barbara and her twin sister, Dottie, recently had published a book of their late mother, Dorothy’s, poetry. The book also includes copies of Dorothy’s watercolor paintings. Additionally, many of Barbara’s photographs are aligned in the book with many of her mother’s poems. The book is entitled Does Every Little Bud on the Bush that Grows Try to Make Room for Another Rose? This title is the line of one of her mother, Dorothy’s, poems. This book is published by Christian Faith Publishing and is available from various online book selling websites. It is sold in hard cover, soft cover, and e-book versions.
Barbara and Dottie live in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, with their small dog.
Karliene Zack
Karliene joined the Civil Air Patrol at the age of sixteen and then signed up for the Air Force right after graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1970. She went into the Air Force three weeks later. In the Air Force, she worked as an Administrative Specialist in Special Services on base. After Technical training she was stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota where she met her future husband, Bill. She was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant two years later. When they were discharged, they moved to live in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Having settled in Pennsylvania, she worked as a sales clerk at Hess’s Department Store and then went on to other jobs until she had her first child. Her next occupation was working at the Turkey Hill, and at WYNS Radio Station as the Traffic Director. They moved to Jim Thorpe in 1988 along with their two daughters.
In 2016, Karliene produced a Historical Fashion Show “Ten Decades of Fashion” in the Ballroom of the Mauch Chunk Museum and Cultural Center. One year later, Karliene began working at the Mauch Chunk Museum as a museum tour guide. In 2018, she became the Director of the Museum. Her husband Bill is the Property Manager and Co-Director of the Museum. Karliene greets customers and gives tours detailing the very important role the town had in our country’s history.
Karliene is also an artist and jewelry maker. She uses pieces of anthracite coal, which are sometimes referred to as black diamonds, in her hand-carved jewelry. Karliene makes ladies’ necklaces and bracelets as well as ladies’ and men’s rings. Karliene hand carves the coal pieces to fit the different settings. Her jewelry is sold at the Mauch Chunk Museum as well as at the National Canal Museum in Easton, PA.
William Zack
William Zack was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania on October 24, 1949. He graduated from William Allen High School in 1967. Bill joined the Air Force in 1969 and worked on Minuteman Missiles. He married Karliene Walker on July 28, 1973. Shortly after, William was discharged and he and his new bride moved back to Allentown.
In 1973, he started Sheetmetal Technical School through The Sheetmetal Workers Union Local 19. He worked in HVAC and Architectural Sheetmetal for thirty-one years and retired in 2004.
William joined the Mauch Chunk Museum & Cultural Center in 2019 as Museum Co-Director & Property Manager.
Nora Kattner
Nora joined the Museum's Board of Directors after being introduced to John Drury through mutual colleagues. Inspired by the Museum's mission and the untapped potential of its event space, as the MCMCC Events & Programming Coordinator, she is committed to helping expand opportunities for community programming, special events and meaningful visitor experiences.
She is also the in-house baker for the Museum, bringing passion for hospitality, community engagement and exceptional from-scratch baking to every event. With extensive experience in creating handcrafted baked goods, Nora specializes in both traditional recipes and gluten-free offerings, ensuring that guests of all dietary needs feel welcome and included.
But for Nora, the Museum has become more than a workspace - it has fostered lasting relationships and a strong sense of community. She is proud to contribute her creativity, organizational skills and enthusiasm to support the Museum's continued growth and its role as a welcoming gathering place for Jim Thorpe and surrounding communities.
Shawn Walker
Our Volunteers
Nicholas Passiglia
Samantha Kattner
Willow Gould
