New Board Members Installed at Annual Meeting
FRANKFORT, KY (November 11, 2025) — During the Kentucky Historical Society’s annual meeting on November 7, 2025, new members were officially installed onto the governing board for four-year terms at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History in Frankfort. Elected by KHS members, the new board members represent diverse regions across Kentucky and bring a wealth of expertise to the table. These individuals will work alongside current board members to advance the mission of the Kentucky Historical Society, promoting the preservation, understanding, and celebration of the state’s rich history. The newly elected board will officially begin their terms on January 1, 2026.
Scott Alvey, Executive Director of the Kentucky Historical Society, said, “We are excited to welcome these new board members, whose diverse backgrounds and shared passion for Kentucky’s history will help further the mission of the Kentucky Historical Society. Their leadership and commitment to preserving and telling Kentucky’s stories will ensure that future generations continue to appreciate and understand the rich history of our commonwealth.”
In addition, the following board members were installed as officers for 2026: Sheila Mason, Frankfort, President; Dr. Alicestyne Turley, Clay City, 1st Vice President; Lora Suttles Hutchison, Staffordsville, 2nd Vice President; and Curtis Dame, Rumsey, 3rd Vice President. Newly elected members serving four-year terms are:
Mary Berry, New Castle, Member—Mary Berry has a deep connection to Kentucky’s history, largely shaped by her father, Wendell Berry. Her focus is on the health and welfare of the commonwealth. Berry has been active in civic life, serving on the Board of Directors of United Citizens Bank and Trust and as a board member of PACE, and participating in Kentucky agricultural events as both an attendee and a speaker. Professionally, she has over 35 years of experience in farming, event planning, and business ownership, and she founded and serves as executive director of The Berry Center in New Castle. Berry is a graduate of the University of Kentucky.
Mason Dyer, Lexington, Member—with a passion for history, Mason Dyer was a collegiate history major and enjoys Kentucky Historical Society programs. He is involved in civic life, serving as vice chair of the Kentucky Nonprofit Network, a board member of the Kentucky Governor's Scholars Program, the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, and the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority, and a member of the Kentucky Advisory Council for Gifted and Talented Education. Dyer also volunteers for Junior Achievement and Fayette County Public Schools. Professionally, he has over 20 years of experience in education-focused nonprofits and currently serves as president of the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities. Dyer holds a master’s in business communications from Spalding University, a BA in English and history from Centre College, and has completed graduate coursework at the University of Kentucky.
John Paul Mazurak, Frankfort, Member – John Paul Mazurak is enthusiastic about the influence of Kentucky's history on its distinct regions, asserting that understanding this history is essential to understanding the people and culture. He is actively involved in his community, volunteering for events like the Team Kentucky Derby Week Kick-Off and serving on the Bourbon Committee for Downtown Frankfort Inc. Professionally, Mazurak has worked in Kentucky for over a decade, starting with the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and currently serving as director for government and regulatory affairs for the Kentucky Distillers' Association. He has also worked as a government reporter and in media relations. Mazurak holds a master’s in journalism from Quinnipiac University and a bachelor’s in journalism and mass communications from St. Bonaventure University.
Tina Wei Smith, London, Member—Tina Wei Smith is committed to Kentucky's history and focused on elevating the stories and experiences of marginalized communities. Smith serves on the Board of Cornerstone Christian School, the Advisory Board for Make Us Visible, and is a commissioner on the Congressional Commission for a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture. Professionally, she is the associate vice president for policy and mobilization at Partners for Rural Impact and co-founder of Rural Up. Smith has taught public policy at Asbury University and previously worked as an advisor to former US Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao, as well as serving as executive director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. She holds a master’s in public policy and higher education from the University of Michigan and a BA in English literature and political science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
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The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) is an agency in Kentucky’s Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet. The KHS campus has three sites in historic downtown Frankfort: The Old State Capitol; the Kentucky Military History Museum; and the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History serving as KHS headquarters with a signature museum, exhibits, library, research facilities, object & archival collections, museum store, and more. KHS is a Smithsonian Affiliate and has full American Alliance of Museums accreditation.