Meet the Staff

Pat was raised in Utica, Michigan and graduated with a B.S. in Park Administration from Michigan State University. He earned his Masters Degree in Elementary Education and his teaching certification from Oakland University. Work experiences in Williamsburg, Virginia, the Washington and Michigan State Parks, and in Northern Michigan gave Pat an appreciation for history, education, and the great outdoors. He joined the Museum staff in 1986 and has coordinated interior and exterior renovations of the Farmhouse, acquisition of the Van Hoosen Dairy Barn and the 1850 Red House, numerous exhibits and programs, and has helped coordinate numerous publications on local history.

Pat and his wife Karen have four daughters and live in Rochester Hills.

Michelle Akers-Berg, Interpretive Specialist
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Michelle was raised in Berkley and graduated with her B.A. in History and Anthropology from Adrian College. She earned her Masters Degree in Cultural Anthropology, with an emphasis in gender relations, at Western Michigan University. During her time with the Cranbrook Institute of Science, Michelle worked with the museum's collections, served as Volunteer Coordinator and developed programs for museum visitors. In addition, she has worked as an Archaeological Lab Technician and has participated in archaeological fieldwork with Western Michigan University. In 2006, Michelle finished a certification in the Collections Care Distance Learning Program of George Washington University. 

Michelle and her husband Ned live in Rochester Hills with their two cats and two birds.

Adam Sakel, Museum Program Coordinator
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Adam comes to the museum from the Ohio Historical Society where he was the Educational Specialist for the Fort Meigs Museum.  During his tenure with the Society he was responsible for developing educational programs, special events and managing the site's volunteer program.  He earned his education degree from Bowling Green State University and taught high school social studies before joining the Society.

Adam and his wife Liette live in Monroe with their 2 sons.




Michele Dunham, Museum Staff Assistant
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Michele joins the museum staff after 31 years of teaching for the Rochester Community School District and  2 years at the Troy Museum. She earned her BA and MAT at Oakland University and became an Advanced Master Gardener in 2001. She is a professional gardener who also writes about gardening and teaches Junior Master Gardener classes. She is a member of the Rochester Branch of the National Farm and Garden Association and the Sarah Van Hoosen Jones Questers.

Michele and her husband, Doug, live in Rochester Hills with their 2 dogs. They have 2 adult children, Andrew and Ashley, who introduced Michele to the Rochester Hills Museum many years ago when they visited the Stony Creek Schoolhouse in third grade.

Vanessa Brinker, Museum Staff Assistant
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Vanessa was raised in Sterling Heights and graduated with a B.A. in History from Oakland University. She discovered the Rochester Hills Museum through an internship in which she researched the significant loss of historic buildings and sites in the Greater Rochester area. In September 2004, Vanessa joined the Museum to manage the Museum Store and coordinate weddings.

When she is not spending time with family or friends, Vanessa enjoys traveling, reading, and biking.

Bill Mansfield, Custodian
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Bill was raised in Clarkston and attended the Northwest Oakland Vocational Education Center where he studied building construction and carpentry. He was a self-employed carpenter before going to work for the National Bank of Detroit. For the next 15 years, he worked in various positions for their Facilities, Maintenance, and Mortgage divisions. He came to the City of Rochester Hills in 2000 where he has worked at City Hall and the Public Safety Building before joining the Museum in 2003.

Bill and his wife Marsha reside in Auburn Hills with their two sons, Adam and Jason.