Staff

Bob Medinger
Executive Director

Bob Medinger Mr. Medinger comes to the Society with 25 years of Alaskan bush experience as a teacher, principal, central office K-12 educator, and CEO of the largest rural residential University Campus in Alaska- Kuskowim Campus in Bethel. A pilot, commercial fisherman, guide, and outdoors-man with a remote homestead in the northern Wrangell Mountains, he brings an Alaskan perspective to the history and story that is Sitka! With a Bachelors Degree from the University of Minnesota and an emphasis in history, two Masters Degrees, and extensive success with grants, he hopes to move the Sitka Historical Society and Museum forward in it’s ability to tell the story that is Sitka.

Jacqueline Fernandez
Curator of Collections & Exhibits

Jackie Fernandez Jackie comes to the Sitka Historical Society with over five years of experience in the museum field. She has served as an employee, volunteer, or intern at several historical societies in Massachusetts, the National Park Service, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the Boston Center for the Arts. Jackie first came to Alaska in 2008 as a participant in the Alaska State Museum Summer Internship Program. Before even having a chance to complete her return trip to Boston and unpack her suitcase, she found herself signing another contract to return to Alaska. She considers Sitka to be among the most historically rich and picturesque places she has visited in the state and is pleased to be the caretaker of its history and a part of this dynamic, lively community.

Jackie obtained her Bachelor's from Mount Holyoke College and her Master's from Tufts University.

Shirley Dalquist
Gift Shop Manager

Shirley comes to us with a wealth of experience. She grew up in Ohio and after college she moved out West. She worked as an Office Manager at Boeing in Seattle, as well as Business Manager for the architectural firm that designed and built the famous Waterfront Park @ Pike Place Market. She was the resident manager and co-owner of a resort in the San Juan Islands for nearly 15 years. Realizing she was getting webbed feet living in the Northwest and needing some sun, she and her husband moved to Santa Fe where she worked as Office Manager for a Mediation Firm, Marketing Rep for an importer of Mercedes Benz Galendewagen, and Assistant Manager of an upscale gated community. The Dalquists moved to Sitka in 1998. Shirley decided last summer, after 3 years of retired life, that she wanted to make a contribution to the community and came to work with us at the Sitka Historical Society. She is so happy she made this decision.