Board Officers
President
Darlene Southern
Darlene Southern
Darlene has been a member and volunteer of the Cave Creek Museum since 2012. During her time with the Museum, she has worked in all aspects of the museum as a docent, with exhibit preparation, collections, and archaeology. Her leadership was evident in her position as co-chair of several Home Tours, working as the Museum’s office assistant, creating special events such as the ‘Cave Creek Presents’ series, and heading up the Artifact of the Month just to name a few. Darlene is also a member of the Museum’s Board and the manager of the Museum’s Gift Shop. She is dedicated to the Museum’s future and its ability to continue in preserving and sharing the unique history of the Cave Creek Mining District and the Sonoran Desert.
Vice President &
Recording Secretary
Tammy Causey
Tammy Causey
Tammy is a local psychologist PhD in private practice. Previously, she was an university professor and a clinical supervisor. Tammy has held officer and board positions with the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Arizona Psychological Association. She served as President of the Psychologists in Independent Practice Division of the (APA). She has been a speaker for the United Way Speakers Bureau and has presented numerous national training workshops in leadership development, the business aspects of building an organization/practice and how to motivate/recruit volunteers. Tammy looks forward to bringing her education and experience to the Cave Creek Museum for its continued growth.
Treasurer
Pam DiPietro
Pam DiPietro
Pam joined the board of the Cave Creek Museum in 2002 and has been with the Museum ever since. During her board years she served as Treasurer and one term as President. Since 1968, Pam has accumulated years of experience as a member of various not for profit boards, all of them with educational, historical, and social welfare focus. We best know her, in Foothill’s area, as the former Executive Director of the Foothills Food Bank where she grew a small organization into an expansive, thriving operation that servers a variety of north valley communities today. Pam recognizes she has had a full and busy life, but there is more to do. With pleasure she steps up once again to shepherd the Cave Creek Museum into a new era.
Board Members
Joe Dollison
Joe Dollison
In 2000, I retired as VP and Treasurer of Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. where I worked thirty-three years. My educational background (BS in accounting from Drake University, MBA from Harvard Business School) and experiences in business taught me the principles of business and financial management. I managed several employees in my area of responsibility plus our management training of employees. My strengths are planning and development, financial management, and personnel management. I told my managers and trainees my job was to train them to take over my job.
My wife Diane and I live in Arizona about five months during the winter. We are active members of the Community while we are in Arizona. Diane and I volunteer, participate in many organizations and both attend the Desert Foothills Presbyterian Church. We both are active and concerned members of the CCM. I have been a docent since 20005 and Diane is involved in fund raising for the museum.
I see a lot of opportunity for CCM. If I am elected to the Board, I will dedicate myself to helping CCM reach its potential. This will happen with strong leadership from the staff and the board. Strong leadership is achieved when the direction is clear and the plan takes you to the next level.
Steve Greenberg
Steve Greenburg
Steve Greenberg is a long time Cave Creek area resident. He is the founder and President of Thin Client Computing, a leading data center virtualization company. He is a musician and composer and has been active in charity and Not For Profit organizations for many years. Together with wife Lori, they recently purchased the land of Harmony Hollow and the historic Stamp Mill site to preserve the natural beauty and history of Cave Creek.
Debbie Israni
Debbie Israni
I have a background as a Registered Pharmacist, earned an MBA and am a Professional Organizer. As a self-starter, I have raised two successful children, excelled in several areas of Pharmacy, started and run my own businesses, and all while living in seven different cities in two countries. My career began in Arizona, and I am fascinated by its history. As a recent resident of the Cave Creek/ Carefree area, I stumbled upon the Cave Creek Museum and found that it is a wealth of local history. It is imperative to keep this gem viable and available to the public.
I feel that my background will be an asset to the museum. As a member of the board, I believe my creative abilities combined with financial integrity can help shape the museum into a financially stable resource for the community. My background in organization has already been used at the museum as a member of the Dream Team and in helping with the Miners’ Dinner. Leadership skills and ability to listen and work with others will be an asset to helping the board achieve their goals.
Thank you for the opportunity to run for position on the Cave Creek Museum Board.
Chris Kempster
Chris Kempster
I have been a resident of North Scottsdale for over 15 years and have been a friend of the Museum for most of that time. I believe in giving back to the local community and I cannot think of a more deserving place to offer my time and abilities than the Museum.
I have served as a past Board Member and past Board Chairman of the Cave Creek Carefree Chamber of Commerce and now would enjoy working with the existing Museum Board to enhance programs and broaden the Museum’s reach in our community. My financial planning background lends itself to work alongside other Board Members is sustaining a solid fiscal foundation now and for years to come.
Nina Spitzer
Nina Spitzer
Nina brings her skill set from her career, as a middle school teacher of English, Career Skills and Mass Media, for use in program development at the Museum. Over the years she has managed the Cave Creek Tourism Bureau with its 30+ volunteers and run the Cave Creek Information Center. Nina is also the editor of an e-newsletter, ‘Cave Creek Corner’ for the Cave Creek Merchants Association. She founded the Phoenix Celiac Support Group and has served in that organization for 14 years as its president, secretary, and committee head. Now, Nina has joined the Board of the Cave Creek Museum, serving on both the “The Nugget” Newsletter committee and the Marketing committee. She is dedicated to the longevity of the Museum and its mission.
Molly Tufts
Molly Tufts
My name in Molly Tufts. I was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio where we lived until 2007 when my husband and I moved to Big Sky, Montana.
For 14 years we split our time between Montana and Arizona before becoming full time Arizona residents in 2021.
My college degree is Special Education, concentrating in Learning Disabled and Mentally Handicapped students. I taught school for several years in Ohio then began a second career for a technology company.
I have served on several boards utilizing my skills in logistical coordination and management resulting in successful projects.
I have enjoyed volunteering at the Cave Creek Museum for the last six months working on the Membership database and responding to contributors.
I believe I can contribute to the Cave Creek Museum team to continue the Museum’s success.
Museum Staff
Executive Director
Evelyn Johnson
Evelyn Johnson
Evelyn’s arrival in the Cave Creek area was an opportunity to put her lifelong commitment to educational opportunities, for all, in the not-for-profit world. She holds an Associates degree in Museum Administration from the Virginia Piper Trust and Museum Association of Arizona. Evelyn, as a former Executive Director of the Cave Creek Museum, put her networking talents to work with the Carefree, Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce and the Cave Creek Merchants- Events Association, serving each organization as its President. She is an active member of the Desert Foothills Woman’s Club and has served on their board. Evelyn’s priority is creating historical materials for Home Schoolers, Boy & Girl Scouts, and summer camp experiences.
Museum Administrator
JoAnn Stuckey
JoAnn Stuckey
JoAnn moved to Cave Creek in 1995. Her career involved the non-profit world of service organizations and museum management. JoAnn holds a B.A. in Business Administration and a Nonprofit Management Certificate from ASU. Her expertise is in overseeing board governance, conducting trainings in development and strategic planning projects, and coordinating volunteer programs. She served on the boards, as member and officer, of the Museum Association of Arizona and the Central Arizona Museum Association. JoAnn was instrumental in helping to establish the Arizona Heritage Project, 2003, in partnership with SRP, MAA and CSHS with Barbara Hatch, who transitioned the project into the Veterans Heritage Project.
