Our Team

DR. MARY ELLEN PETHEL is an author, historian, archivist, digital humanist, and academic entrepreneur. She is the associate director of Belmont's Global Honors and an Associate Professor of Global Leadership and Honors at Belmont University. She also consults as the school archivist at Harpeth Hall School. She has published several essays and books including: Athens of the New South: College Life and the Making of Modern Nashville; Title IX, Pat Summitt, and TN's Trailblazers; and Howdy! The Minnie Pearl Story. In 2018, Pethel completed post-graduate work in Digital Public Humanities at George Mason University—combining her passions for history and technology. As executive director for Nashville Sites, board member of Preservation Society of Nashville, member of the Nashville Sports Council, and project director for Nashville Historical Foundation. Dr. Pethel works with many community stakeholders and students at local universities including Belmont, Vanderbilt, TSU, Fisk, and MTSU. She also engages with the community through public speaking appearances. Email pethel@nashvillesites.org to contact Dr. Pethel.

JESSICA FITZPATRICK has a degree in Mass Communication with a concentration in Public Relations and a Master in History with an emphasis in Public History; both from Middle Tennessee State University. During her graduate studies Jessica completed an internship at Chief Plenty Coups State Park in Pryor Montana. She wrote her thesis on the cultural landscape of the state park. She also worked as a graduate research assistant at MTSU and helped research the trail of tears route through Tennessee. As a historic preservationist at the Nashville Historical Foundation (NHF), Jessica leads the historical marker program. As an extension of the marker program, Jessica serves as the NHF liaison and Director of Tours for Nashville Sites, a position she has held since the launch of Nashville Sites. She is an integral part of every tour and also oversees interns. Reach out to fitzpatrick@nashvillesites.org for tour inquiries.

JEROME MOORE a proud Nashville, TN, native, is an explorer of social change. He is the creator of the award-winning podcast series, Deep Dish Conversations and the visionary television producer and host of "A Slice of the Community," airing exclusively on Nashville PBS. Additionally, he is the creator, co-host, and producer of The Nashville Scene Podcast. Moore holds a Bachelor's Degree in Economics, an MBA from Trevecca Nazarene University, and a Master of Education in TESOL from Grand Canyon University. He is also a bestselling author published by Vanderbilt University Press. Jerome works with Nashville Sites as part of our tour team. As our Nashville Sites Cultural Ambassador, Moore promotes and consults on new tours and also offers customized Nashville Sites in-person tours for Airbnb Experiences. Reach out to info@nashvillesites.org to contact Jerome Moore.

DR. LEAROTHA WILLIAMS is an esteemed public historian, educator, and community advocate whose work brings to light the often-overlooked narratives. A professor of African American and Public History at Tennessee State University, Dr. Williams has dedicated his career to bridging academic scholarship with community engagement. As the Director of Public History, Dr. Williams has curated, authored, and narrated and many Nashville Sites tours including Jefferson Street, Civil Rights, Early Black Life and History, TSU, and McKissack & Black Architecture. Dr. Williams also oversees Grades 4-12 lesson plans, consults on tours, and promotes Nashville Sites to a wide audience. He leads the North Nashville Heritage Project and co-authored the book: I'll Take You There: Exploring Nashville's Social Justice Sites. Whether leading tours, developing interpretive materials, or mentoring the next generation, Dr. Williams exemplifies the transformative power of public history. Reach out to info@nashvillesites.org to contact Dr. Williams.

SARAH WILSON is a writer, editor, and marketing/PR consultant based in Nashville. She brings her background in communications, project management, and storytelling to her role as Director of Operations for Nashville Sites, supporting the organization’s mission to make Nashville’s history accessible to the public. A contributing writer for Edible Nashville and Business Insider, Wilson also publishes work on parenting, Nashville culture, interior design, and travel. She shares stories about family life, food, books, and meaningful engagement with both local and global communities on her site, The Wandering Rumpus. A former high school English teacher, Wilson holds a BA from Loyola University New Orleans and an M.Ed. from Belmont University. She also leads creative writing workshops for marketers, executives, and content creators. Reach out to wilson@nashvillesites.org to contact Sarah.

AIDAN MCKERNAN is a freelance mix engineer based in Nashville, TN. Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Aidan came to Nashville to study audio engineering at Belmont University. Aidan began working with Nashville Sites in 2019. Three years later he graduated with a degree in audio engineering. Aidan was also a member of the Honors Program at Belmont. Since his graduation, Aidan has toured with several country artists in various roles. When he's not on the road, he enjoys mixing music in his home studio. McKernan currently serves as the Director of Audio Engineering for Nashville Sites. Reach out to info@nashvillesites.org to contact Aidan.

RUSSELL LESTOURGEON is a licensed architect and historic preservationist who joined the Nashville Historical Foundation in 2023. A Nashville native, he holds a bachelor’s degree in architectural history and a master’s degree in architectural design, both from Yale University. Before returning to Tennessee, he worked as an associate at Robert A.M. Stern Architects in New York, focusing on historic rehabilitation projects across the country. At the NHF, Russell helped oversee the renovation and interpretation of Sunnyside, contributes to grant and award initiatives, and conducts architectural research and outreach. As a contributor to Nashville Sites, he supports content development and social media engagement.

DR. ANGELA SUTTON is a collaborative social and digital historian of the Atlantic World whose work centers on expanding access to overlooked histories of American slavery and its legacies. At Vanderbilt University, she leads the Builders and Defenders Database and the Fort Negley Descendants Project, focusing on inclusive storytelling through underutilized sources and oral histories. An author and scholar in the department of Communication of Science and Technology at Vanderbilt University, Dr. Sutton first became involved with Nashville Sites began with Fort Negley, a Civil War fort built and defended by enslaved and free Black people, now recognized as a UNESCO Site of Memory. She assisted in the tour's curation and also helped to find funding for additional tours including LGBTQ History, Jefferson Street, and Food & Social Justice. Her expertise at the intersections between public history, memory, modern space, and the digital make her an ideal cultural ambassador and advocate for Nashville Sites. To reach Dr. Sutton, email info@nashvillesites.org.

TRENTON WHEELER is an interdisciplinary storyteller of Amskapi Piikani (Blackfeet) descent working across music, film, dance, and education. Since moving to Nashville in 2014 with his band Seryn, he has continued creating as a producer and solo artist under the name Topknot. For over two decades, he has led programs on Native American history and culture, incorporating Plains-style grass dancing, song, and storytelling. In 2024, he co-founded IndigeNash, Nashville’s first festival dedicated to uplifting Indigenous voices across the arts. A passionate advocate for Native visibility and equity, he has served as a board member of the Native American Indian Association of Tennessee and recently narrated a segment of the Indigienous Peoples and Archaeology Tour. His approach to storytelling is shaped by lived experience, creative practice, and a desire to build meaningful connection between people and place, making him a valuable cultural ambassador for Nashville Sites. Reach out to info@nashvillesites.org to contact Trenton Wheeler.

CANESHA CONGER serves as a Project Specialist for the Office of External Engagement at Belmont University, where she plays a key role in fostering community partnerships and initiatives. Deeply committed to social impact, she has been an active member of the Fisk-Belmont Social Justice Collaborative, contributing significantly to the planning and success of the Peace Summit—an event aimed at advancing dialogue and action around equity and justice. With a strong passion for storytelling, Canesha is dedicated to uncovering and sharing the rich, often overlooked history of Nashville and its people. She assisted with the North Nashville Communities driving tour. She was also a principal planner for the Peace Summit held jointly at Fisk University and Belmont University. As a cultural ambassador with deep ties to Nashville and Tennessee history, Canesha will continue to ensure the legacy of the city’s diverse communities is preserved and celebrated.

AMY FAIR is Director of Philanthropic Partnerships at the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (CFMT), where she leads relationships with major donors, foundations, corporations, and government partners. With nearly 25 years of experience, she specializes in complex gift transactions, multi-generational giving, and developing tools like CFMT’s Philanthropic Resource Library and educational events. At CFMT, she’s helped launch over 150 charitable funds and expanded efforts in estate planning and public/private partnerships. Amy holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Ohio State and a M.Ed from Vanderbilt University, focused on Institutional Advancement. After helping to administer a grant, Amy decided to give her time and energy so that Nashville Sites can grow sustainbly. To reach Amy, email: info@nashvillesites.org

VIRGINIA EZELL BRILEY is a passionate advocate for her hometown of Nashville. She serves as the Director of Community and Partnership Outreach for the College of Leadership & Public Service at Lipscomb University. In this role, she forges meaningful connections across sectors—making her an ideal champion for NashvilleSites.org. A former high school teacher with a background in history, political science, and education from Lipscomb University (M.Ed., B.A.), Briley has long demonstrated a commitment to public history and cultural arts. Her accolades include the Nashville Emerging Leader Award in Community Service & Nonprofit (2024), Nashville's Top 30 Under 30 (2022), and leadership roles with W.I.N. (Women In Numbers). With a deep love for Nashville’s past and a bold vision for its future, Briley sees NashvilleSites.org as a vital resource and accessible platform to connect residents and visitors alike to the people, places, and events that define Music City.

SEAN COFOID is a leading consultant for business strategy, data strategy, and AI. As founder of Cofoid Consulting, he has advised a variety of private-sector clients. He is an accomplished technology leader who creates solutions that weave together people, technology, education, systems, and data storytelling. Sean holds a BS from Vanderbilt and a MBA from Lipscomb University and teaches at the graduate level at Belmont University. His academic and professional expertise makes him well-positioned to advise Nashville Sites as it seeks to expand its digital reach, deepen its public engagement, secure additional funding, and create a sustainable model for future growth. You can reach Sean at info@nashvillesites.org

ALEXANDER ELLIOTT is a Senior Business Analyst, Project Manager, Designer and Principal of FogHaus, the development group behind Nashville Sites. His career began in print media after graduating from college, which then lead to entrepreneurial opportunities in Event Planning and Entertainment from the connections he made in that industry. He continued to capitalize on his experiences in Marketing, Management, and Public Relations and began to transition these skills into the IT sphere over the past 10 years. Current and former clients span from locally-based outfits to Fortune 500 institutions across a variety of industries. With Nashville Sites, he focuses on prioritizing features and release management.

NICK LORENSON is a web developer and principal of FogHaus. He works behind the scenes to provide technical guidance to the Nashville Sites team and ensures that things get fixed when they break. A self taught developer, he has been working in the industry for a decade writing application code and helping clients make smart decisions about how to leverage tech.