Hello Curtiss Mansion Friends:
Hope you are all enjoying the holidays.
This year is bittersweet for me as I have decided to move on from this post as Executive Director of the Curtiss Mansion. This will be my final newsletter.
I would like to thank the CMI Board for giving me the opportunity to make a difference at The Curtiss Mansion which has always meant a great deal to me and my family. The Mansion, its grounds and my hometown will always hold a special place in my heart. I took this job as a passion project and am pleased with the goals met during my time here. I will continue until the end of January.
Thank you also to the Miami Springs/Virginia Gardens Residents as well as the City of Miami Springs Council, City Management, Public Works, and all City employees, docents, members and the part time team which has grown together at CMI who have been so incredibly cooperative and supportive during my tenure. A very, very special thank you to Pilot & Anchor Clubs. Am going to really miss working with the young people on all the projects together. Hope the Mansion continues these relationships and others I have worked hard to build. Am also going to miss the Saturday morning tours with an incredible team of dedicated docents who have worked with me to bring Glenn Curtiss back into peoples consciousness. Buzz, Sam, Kathy, Jorge, especially. And lead volunteers Georgie & JoAnn. Bless you guys !
Am so proud of the accomplishments we have made in the past three years which include a variety of capital improvements interior & exterior, financial sustainability, marketing, community outreach, community events, docent and membership builds as well as a gift shop launch.
These past transitional years between the restoration and now have left the Mansion in an excellent position to thrive. The combined efforts of the CMI Board, City Management, CMI part timers, volunteers, SGF Events and myself have made this possible. Of course growth and long term vision take leadership to pull off but ultimately it takes a team.
Am looking forward to seeing what the future holds for The Curtiss Mansion and the Mission in continuing the growth and exposure for the Mansion, the City and Mr. Glenn Curtiss. I am also looking forward to my next challenge – hopefully also in something that will make a difference. I will remain serving on the Dade County Preservation Board and see what the future also holds for me career wise. Have my eye on a couple of opportunities. Stay tuned 🙂
Team Curtiss !
Sincerely,
Melinda Jester
Executive Director
Wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year!
