Tohono Chul
7366 North Paseo del Norte
Tucson, AZ 85704
ph: 520-742-6455 ext. 0
fax: 520-797-1213
email: info@tohonochul.org
Staff
Administrative Offices
Dr. Christine Conte – Executive Director x. 212
cconte@tohonochul.org
Penny Poynter – Director of Finance & Human Resources x. 219
ppoynter@tohonochul.org
Michelle Armstrong – Director of Marketing & Communications x. 221
marmstrong@tohonochul.org
Angela Whitsell – Philanthropy Associate x. 243
awhitsell@tohonochul.org
Education, Exhibits & Volunteers
Jo Falls – Director of Education and Visitor Services x. 228 jfalls@tohonochul.org
Stephen Spikes – Interpretive Programs Manager x. 235
sspikes@tohonochul.org
Maricela Fair – Volunteer Services Coordinator x. 241
mfair@tohonochul.org
James Schaub – Curator of Exhibitions x. 218
jschaub@tohonochul.org
Nicole George – Assistant Curator of Exhibitions & Collections Manager x. 217
ngeorge@tohonochul.org
Grounds
Lee Mason – Director of General Services x. 232
lmason@tohonochul.org
Retail
Linda Wolfe – Director of Retail x. 213
lwolfe@tohonochul.org
Event Rentals
Kimberly Noel – Private Events Manager x. 242 knoel@tohonochul.org
Visit our Private Events page for more information!
Photography provided by Joey Ambrose Photography
Board of Directors
Andy Swarthout – President
Expertise: Minerals exploration geologist and corporate finance
Affiliation: Retired as Chief Executive Officer of Bear Creek Mining Corporation
Sasha Case
Expertise: Arts and Community Outreach
Affiliation: Independent artist and Arts Educator
Mark Channel –
Expertise: Philanthropy, Accounting & non-profit service
Affiliation: Director of Development, College of Fine Arts, University of Arizona
Patty Clymer – Secretary
Expertise: Education
Affiliation: School District Governing Board member; State
Academic Decathlon Board Member; Former President of Church Council,
Chair of its Endowment Committee
Penny Crutchfield – Treasurer
Expertise: Finance
Affiliation: Retired from the University of Arizona in 2004 where she served in Financial Services for 18 years as Associate Comptroller.
John Douglas
Expertise: Architecture, landscape architecture, small business
Affiliation: President of Douglas Architecture and Planning; the focus of his work is the renewal and creation of cultural centers in Arizona Member: Arizona Town Hall, an independent, nonprofit membership organization that identifies critical issues facing Arizona
Carlton King
Expertise: Law, specializing in estate and gift tax planning and trust administration
Affiliation: retired from Nyemaster, Goode, Hansell & O’Brien; volunteer at Tohono Chul
Clint McCall
Expertise: Philanthropy, Community Engagement
Affiliation: Vice President for Principal Giving and Campaigns, University of Arizona Foundation
Jacquelyne Mingle
Expertise: Estate Planning Attorney
Affiliation: Fleming & Curti, PLC
Ray Nagle, MD, PhD
Expertise: Research and education
Affiliation: Retired as Senior Research Scientist, Arizona Cancer Center. Clinical and Research Pathologist. Lifelong interest in Natural History
Sandra Nathan – Vice President
Expertise: Philanthropy and Community Engagement
Affiliation: Senior Vice President of Philanthropic Services and Community Investments, Community Foundation of Southern Arizona
Betsey Parlato
Expertise: Philanthropy, Non-profit management
Affiliation: Retired, Tohono Chul Docent
Michael Racy
Expertise: Lobbying and government relations
Affiliation: Racy Associates, Inc.
Mary Swiergol
Expertise: Magazine owner/publisher
Affiliation: Founder/publisher of The Desert Leaf a monthly magazine begun in 1987 serving the Catalina Foothills communities of Tucson.
Our Vision
Core Values
- Love of the Sonoran Desert region: its natural history and it cultural heritage.
- Love of Tohono Chul and respect for what it means to visitors, supporters, and staff.
- Responsible use of all natural, human, fiscal, and temporal resources.
- Respect for all people, their beliefs and cultures.
- Excellence and integrity in all undertakings of Tohono Chul.
- Dedication to lifelong learning, with special focus on living with the Sonoran Desert and the interactions of people with their environment.
- Accessibility and outreach to the community in experiencing the resources of Tohono Chul.
Mission Statement
The mission of Tohono Chul is to enrich people’s lives by connecting them with the wonders of nature, art, and culture in the Sonoran Desert region and inspiring wise stewardship of the natural world.
Vision Statement
Tohono Chul’s vision is to be recognized internationally as the premier center for understanding and appreciation of the Sonoran Desert region through its fusion of nature, art, and culture. Tohono Chul seeks to be an indispensible resource for helping people learn about, celebrate, and conserve our region’s natural and cultural heritage, and to be a model institution for other unique regions around the world. Every element of Tohono Chul will reflect excellence and beauty, creating a pleasurable, inspiring and enlightening experience for all.