THS Board of Directors
Our Vision
The Tubac Historical Society will be a broad based institution that:
- Fosters an appreciation of the importance of historical materials and provides leadership in their preservation and public accessibility.
- Encourages high standards in the research, documentation, preservation and interpretation of historical materials.
- Supports the application of historical knowledge so as to enrich public understanding of our community.
Andrea Miritello, Board President
Andi was born and raised on Long Island, NY and spent her career in the home fashions industry. Andi was President and C.O.O. of Tentina Window Fashions, a family business, that fabricated custom window coverings under the Hunter Douglas Brand name. Andi discovered Tubac nearly 30 years ago when her love of horses and nature brought her to the Circle Z Guest Ranch in Patagonia. When she retired in 2014, she and her wife, Mary, bought a “winter” home in Tubac. They quickly decided that this was where they wanted to live full time. Andi loves Tubac and its unique vibe. In addition to THS, Andi volunteers at the Tubac Presidio State Park, and the Tubac Center of the Arts. She is honored to serve as President of The Tubac Historical Society.
Dimity Hammon, Vice President
Dimity was born and raised in the environs of Boston. After finishing high school in Salem, Mass., witch capitol of the US, she headed west to the University of Arizona to study archaeology. Due to lack of funding, Dimity returned to New England to work for a year. Love intervened, and she married, and shortly thereafter moved to Canada where she and her husband, Tom, lived for 35 years. During that time they had a couple of babies, and Dimity finished her undergraduate and graduate work in archaeology.
Dimity feels fortunate to be able to have worked in archaeology on and off for many years as grants permitted, and in the off times she did a variety of things including social work, musical festival management, and managing an agricultural association for 25 years.
When Dimity and Tom retired, they went to Hawaii for 3 years, and then found Tubac where “I am very fortunate to be able to live in this wonderful place where I can pursue my love of history, make pots, write, and work in my garden”.
Betsy Fearnow, Secretary
Betsy and her husband Bill have been visiting Tubac since the mid 1980’s and purchased a home here in 2000. Betsy retired from a 40-year career in Information Technology and Computer Security at IBM and American Express. She continues to lend her computer skills to THS by maintaining the inventory of THS books, artwork, maps, and archival records. Betsy previously served on the Board of Literacy Volunteers.
Pamela Brand, Treasurer
Pamela Brand moved to Tubac, Arizona from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania in June 2019 having previously spent five winters in Tubac. She retired from the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education in 2009, and spent 28 years as a human resource professional in highly complex organizations including 14 years of executive leadership experience in higher education. She worked extensively in the Pennsylvania public sector, first in the Governor’s Office, Bureau of Personnel and then for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.
Pam holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Albany State University and a Master’s degree in Administration from Penn State University. She managed program budgets, developed financial projections, and implemented cost containment initiatives.
In addition to volunteering at the THS, Pam volunteers at Gulliver and Friends Boutique in Tubac, which benefits the Equine Voices horse rescue and sanctuary in Amado.
Diane Brooks
Diane is a retired Nurse Practitioner. She lived and practiced in San Diego, CA. for 23 years. Diane has lived in Tubac full time for seven -and-a-half years. In addition to volunteering at THS, she volunteers at Tubac Center for the Arts, Valley Assistance Services, and Green Valley Samaritans and serves on the board of the Border Community Alliance. Diane joined the Tubac Historical Society because “I believe that history and art are vital to understanding the society in which we live and work. History helps us know the past, both the good and the bad, so that we can learn from it and work towards making the future better for all. Art brings enjoyment and an appreciation of the struggles of others, again helping us to work towards making the future better for all.”
Richard Collins
Rick lives in Tucson and has a background of study in the Spanish Colonial military along the frontier during the mid to late 18th century. Rick is also versed in Southwest Missions and the Indian Wars, especially the Geronimo Campaign. Rick is a National Park Ranger with Tumacacori National Historic Park. Rick creates exhibits, tours, curriculum-based educational programs, lectures, and other programs. Rick also works with the Tubac Presidio State Park creating exhibits and interpretive programs. Rick served six years as the President of the Board of the Tucson Presidio Trust and continues to serve on the Board.
Steve Gastellum
Steve, his wife Karman, and sons Mark and Dan have lived in Rio Rico for 21 years. In addition to serving on the THS board, Steve is a board member of the Rio Rico Historical Society, Tubac Fire District Public Safety Personnel Retirement Board, and volunteers at the Tubac Presidio State Park, Tumacacori NHP, and the Rio Rico Historical Society Museum as a docent. Steve and his wife worked and lived in various National Park areas. Steve served in the National Park Service for 42 years at various parks including Grand Canyon NHP, Lassen Volcanic NP in California, Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico, and Tumacacori National Historical Park, with special assignments at the Arizona Memorial In Hawaii and Harpers Ferry NHP in West Virginia. Steve retired in 2014. Steve has a passion for the local history of the area and occupies his time by giving talks on the Baca Float, researching family history, reading extensively about history, and working around the house and yard with his wife.
Brenda Camou
Brenda was born and raised in Southern Michigan. In the mid 1970’s she moved to Nogales with her husband and two small children. For 35 years Brenda taught English, Social Studies and Literature to Middle School students. She was a reading specialist in an elementary school. In the 1980’s, Brenda served two terms on the Nogales City Council. In 1992 Brenda moved to Tubac where she currently volunteers at the Tubac Presidio State Park and is active in St. Ann’s church.
Grace Alegria
Grace is an active member of The Tubac Historical Society who helps staff the Brownell Research Center. Grace works on our Past Perfect computer program that serves as our member database, and collection management program, and serves on the Oral History Committee. Grace worked at Tumacacori National Monument before transferring to the Whipple Observatory as an administrator for over 30 years. She was a volunteer EMT with the Tubac Fire Department, and a member of the Santa Cruz Co. Search and Rescue team. She and her husband, Pete are long-time Tubac residents whose families have deep ties to the community. Grace is an enthusiastic member of our organization who brings a wealth of knowledge of the area and of the people who live here.
Daniel Judkins
Dan grew up in Nogales and elsewhere along the border. He loves Santa Cruz County, particularly its history and the countryside itself. Dan is a registered nurse, and specialized in severe trauma. He is also an epidemiologist, and holds masters’ degrees in both public health and in epidemiology.
Dan has long been interested in the history of the Pimería Alta. In 1999 he walked the length of the Santa Cruz River from its headwaters to its confluence with the Gila, and then rode by horseback the upper 100 miles of the Santa Cruz in a cabalgata. He was the President of THS in 2003. Since 2020 Dan has served as editor of the magazine Desert Tracks, published by the Oregon-California Trails Association; the magazine focuses on early trails and roads of the Southwest. Dan is a co-founder, and a current member, of the La Frontera Corral of the Westerners. He also volunteers at Tumacácori National Historical Park.