Tellus Director Named Museum Professional of the Year

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Cartersville, GA -- Tellus Science Museum Executive Director Jose Santamaria on Friday was recognized with one of the most prestigious awards during the Georgia Association of Museums and Galleries annual conference.

Santamaria received the award for Museum Professional of the Year for his service to the museum industry. He has been on board at Tellus Science Museum since before its opening in 2009, when the museum was formerly known as the Weinman Mineral Museum. He is an integral part of the team who made the vision of the Smithsonian Affiliate science museum become a reality.

“I am so honored to be recognized in this manner,” Santamaria said. “I couldn’t accomplish any of these things without the amazing staff and volunteers at Tellus or without the support of our board members. Tellus is a great institution that I am proud to represent.”

Tellus has served more than 1.3 million visitors since opening. Some of Santamaria’s most recent accomplishments include co-author of The 50 Coolest Things at Tellus book and editor of the 2nd edition Minerals of Georgia book.

In addition to coordinating initial fundraising efforts for Tellus, he has most recently assisted with raising additional funds for special exhibit galleries and upgrades at the museum, a new solar house opening this year, and four onsite electric vehicle charging stations.

While Santamaria continues to have great success and achievements at Tellus, his experience goes beyond the Cartersville museum. He has served the museum community as a leader at the local, state and national level and has even been a guest presenter at the Smithsonian. He is currently consulting with the University of Alabama Natural History Museum and the Arizona Mineral Museum as they both undergo renovations to improve their institutions.

Over the years he has been involved in many local mineral clubs and has served as president, field trip coordinator, program director and show director. Santamaria oversees 78 full and part-time staff and more than 150 volunteers.

“Jose is such a fantastic leader for our organization,” said Tellus Director of Marketing Shelly Redd. “He has a great vision for our future, and a plan to help us get there. He doesn’t hesitate to ‘get in the trenches’ with staff and applauds us when we do well. It’s a privilege to work with him.”

The GAMG Museum Professional of the Year is awarded to candidates who are active museum employees in Georgia, have emonstrated leadership at the local, state, and national level and helped promote the goals of the organization.

Santamaria is the third winner of this award for Tellus Science Museum. Astronomer David Dundee won in 2010 and Director of Education Cantey Smith was awarded the honor in 2014.

For more information about Tellus Science Museum call 770-606-5700 or visit its website or Facebook page.

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Photo 1: Tellus Executive Director Jose Santamaria welcomes the millionth visitor, an entire 3rdgrade class from Calhoun Elementary, to the museum in March 2014
Photo 2: Catherine Lewis, Jose and Maia Santamaria: GAMG President Dr. Catherine Lewis presents the 2016 Museum Professional of the Year award to Tellus Science Museum Executive Director Jose Santamaria. Pictured left to right: Dr. Catherine Lewis, Jose Santamaria, and Maia Santamaria.
Photo credits: Tellus Science Museum