Our Science Center is run by a dedicated group of employees and volunteers that is overseen by our founder and advisory board. We give hands-on guided tours of our museum and outdoor activities in Truassic Park. 
 

We welcome your phone calls and emails. If you have a general question and don't know who to direct it to please call the Science Center at 330-665-DINO (3466) or send an email to our office.
 

Staff Directory

William Sanderson, II

Founder, Director of Finance & Speaker

Contact: 330-665-DINO (3466) | Send an e-mail

William Sanderson owns and operates a financial planning company. He has been in financial services for over 30 years, and provides individual financial planning, as well as financial planning through “Money 101” and “Asset Preservation” workshops.  

He has been an active member of several associations, including the Akron Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, and the society of Financial Service Professionals. He served on the Malone University Graduate School Advisory Board, and served for 8 years on the United Methodist East Ohio Conference committee on stewardship.

Bill served as a seaman in the U.S. Navy for one year and was given an honorable discharge for a knee injury received prior to his service. Bill was a middle school teacher from 1983-1986 and taught in the West Clermont and Cincinnati Princeton School Districts of Ohio. As a former school teacher Bill has always maintained an active interest in all sciences. Reading, studying and inquiring led him to found Akron Fossils & Science Center in May of 2005.  

In addition to CLU and ChFC designations, Bill earned a bachelor of science degree in education from Miami University in Ohio, and a Masters Degree from Malone College, where he wrote his graduation paper on financial planning for professional clergy. 

Bill is married and is a dedicated father and grandfather.

Bill is the lead guide for our annual Wilderness Canoe Trip. He is also an active participant in the behind-the-scenes day to day operations of the Science Center.

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Dr. Al Gotch

Ph.D. Physical Chemistry

Executive Director & Speaker

Contact: 330-665-DINO (3466) | Send an e mail

Publications | Editorials

Albert Gotch was born and raised in the Cleveland, OH area and received his B.A. in Chemistry from Thiel College in Greenville, PA.  He then completed his M.S. in Chemistry and Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry at Purdue University studying artificial photosynthesis and small molecule gas phase clusters respectively.  He taught college chemistry for 20 years at three different state and private institutions and has worked with many undergraduate and high school science students on research.  He has published papers and given presentations on a wide-range of topics including photosynthesis, electrochemistry, fluorescence spectroscopy, molecular structure, chemical education, philosophy of science, and microemulsions.  A longstanding research interest has been alternative energy and has included study of artificial photosynthesis, solar energy, wind turbine technology, fuel cells, and energy conservation.  Recent research has focused on using biomass as an alternative energy source and a renewable chemical feedstock.

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Josiah Detwiler

Director of Outreach & Speaker

Contact: 330-665-DINO (3466) | Send an e-mail

Josiah Detwiler (aka "Dino Joe") has a passion for showing boys and girls of all ages ancient bones and artifacts that clearly point to the reality of our Creator.

Josiah is the promotional representative for the Science Center, taking Akron Fossils & Science Center’s message to conventions across the state. He frequently dons his safari hat, grabs his backpack loaded with fossils, and travels to area schools and churches teaching children and adults about fossils and creation from a biblical framework.

And behind the scenes, Josiah rolls up his sleeves, and along with the other dedicated staff members, gives himself to the many practical needs of managing our growing organization.

Josiah is married to his high school sweetheart, Melody. They have two little boys.

Josiah oversees the Science Center's outreach through speaking and building financial partnerships to support the museum. Josiah speaks to groups of all ages with his traveling Museum in a Backpack and Community Connection presentations.
 

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Cindy Julius

Science Teacher, Private Tutor & Fossil Replica Manufacturer

Contact: 330-665-DINO (3466) | Send an e-mail

Cindy Julius is our amazing resident science teacher. Cindy manages our Viers Ditch Research Project with our students and volunteers. She also oversees our Science Adventure Club! and private tutoring science classes, and helps with our Summer Day Camp and annual science fair.

Cindy is a biology graduate of Cleveland State University and has a technical background in blood banking, immunology, histology and environmental air pollution. Cindy is also an active leader in the Stark County homeschooling community.

Cindy leads our science classes at our Science Center with the Science Adventure Club! (SAC) program that is open to the public and multiple private classes throughout the week. Cindy also overseas our Vier's Ditch Research Project, annual Science Fair Convention and annual rappelling trip in Hocking Hills, as well as manufactures our fossil replicas for our Gift Shop. Read Cindy's blog posts to see what her students are doing next.

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Jodie Brewer

Children's Director, Speaker & Birthday Party Hostess

Contact: 330-665-DINO (3466) | Send an e-mail

As the Children's Director at our Science Center, Jodie creates and directs action-packed camps, science classes, and birthday parties for children ages 5-12. She has 17 years of experience working with children, youth, and adults.  Jodie is also the author of many educational children's programs like Camp Creation, Searching the Scriptures, and Sleepover Sisters that she oversees in churches in the Akron area. She recently joined our staff in 2010. She enjoys learning about creation science and sharing her knowledge with others. 

Jodie is a home-educator and enjoys reading, creating, organizing and spending time with her family.

Jodie oversees our Summer Day Camp, Super Science Saturday program, and hosts our Birthday Parties.

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 John H. Lookabaugh

Tour Guide, Speaker & Groundskeeper

Contact: 330-665-DINO (3466) | Send an e-mail

John H. Lookabaugh is a tour guide and presentation speaker for the Akron Fossil & Science Center. John has a Bachelors of Science in Education from Lee University and Masters of Education from Kent State University. John and his wife Katy served as missionaries in Costa Rica before moving to Ohio. John is a Middle and High school teacher at a Christian private school in Burton, OH where he has taught Science, History and Bible.

John and his wife Katy attend a local church and reside in Streetsboro with their daughter Lydia.

John is able to adapt presentations on topics such as Dinosaurs in the Bible, and Creation Science vs. Evolution for groups aged pre-school through adult.

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 Megan Beaver

Zoology Director, Office Manager & Speaker

Contact: 330-665-DINO (3466) | Send an e-mail

Job descriptions can be found on our Current Job Openings page.
 

As a tour guide at the Science Center, Megan enjoys sharing the wonders of creation with visitors of any age. She has a Bachelors of Science in Zoology from Kent State University and is certified in Project WILD, Aquatic Project WILD, and Growing Up WILD through the Ohio Division of Wildlife. Megan became interested in creation science at the beginning of high school and has been studying both creation science and evolution theory throughout her academic career.

Megan loves to spend time with family and friends and her pets, which include three dogs, a cat, a horse, and a raccoon.

Megan oversees our annual Silent Auction fundraiser, Gift Shop inventory,  donation processing, reservations for groups and families, as well as our volunteer projects. 

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