Executive Profiles

Greg Viggiano PhD, Executive Director. Greg is an entrepreneur and product management executive. He has a 20-year product management and international operations background. His previous positions have given him a broad background on which to build and launch successful and well-run ventures. Greg holds a PhD in Communication from Florida State University and has served as an adjunct professor at American University, Kogod School of Business. He directs the day-to-day management of the Museum and liaises with the Board of Directors and Board of Advisors.

Joseph Gillmer CFRE® CSPG™ CAP®, Philanthropic Advisor. Joe is passionate about philanthropy and firmly believes “that service to humanity is the best work of life” (C. William Brownfield, 1951). It is that passion Joe has consistently brought to bear while working with charitable organizations on philanthropic initiatives that has raised more than $700 million over the last 15 years. Joe is a member of the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Joe has developed and presented on a range of philanthropy topics for the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Bank of America Nonprofit Impact Series, DC Bar Pro-Bono Program, the Booz Allen Hamilton Nonprofit Speaker Series and the Center for Non-Profit Success as well as for several regional and national philanthropic conferences.

Mandy Sweeney MA, Vice President, Operations. Mandy has been a deputy program manager at NASA headquarters and was the lead consultant for developing NASA’s strategic plan. As the vice president of museum operations, Mandy manages educational outreach, human resources, project management, risk management, research and library services, marketing, and public relations. Mandy is a graduate of Harvard University with a Masters degree in Finance.

Alexandre Carvalho, Chief Information Officer. Alexandre has a proven background of entrepreneurship: he founded, or co-founded, two nonprofits in the areas of space and astronomy, and aerospace science, and three IT companies. He has over 25 years of experience in every area of software development and hardware integration, from hands-on coding and software architecture to quality assurance and project management. Alexandre has worked with a wide variety of technologies, ranging from the most esoteric Assembly and Forth programming languages to the most modern mobile app development platforms. Alex is responsible for all things concerning information technology for the Museum of Science Fiction.

Charles Hildebrandt, General Counsel. Charles represents, advises, and litigates on behalf of clients in commercial, copyright, and entertainment law matters, including film, television, and music production, licensing, and distribution. Charles has over 20 years of experience negotiating and drafting television programming contracts, including licensing, distribution, program production, and acquisitions; negotiates and drafts internet content agreements and software and hardware licensing agreements, including EULAs, hosting agreements/SLAs, digital commerce agreements, mobile app creation and support, engineering services agreements, and NDAs. Charles advises clients on matters of copyright, trademark, unfair competition, trade secret, digital privacy law, FTC privacy guidelines, and FCC indecency rules issues. Charles prosecutes federal trademark registrations and oppositions; reviews and analyzes proposed digital, cable television production, and licensing agreements. Charles is a graduate of Rutgers University and The George Washington University Law School.

Jerry Vanek AIA, Lead Architect. Jerry is an Associate at SmithGroupJJR, and an Architect with 15 years of experience. He is a graduate of Syracuse University School of Architecture, and has worked in New York City and Washington, DC. Jerry leads the architectural design effort at the Museum of Science Fiction, and currently advises the Preview Museum’s design activities.

Rachel Frederick MA, Curator. Rachel is a museum collections specialist with a passion for all things science fiction. She holds a Master’s degree from George Washington University in Museum Studies, with a focus on collections management, and is a current member of the American Alliance of Museums. Her undergraduate degrees include a BA in Historic Preservation and Classics, with a minor in Museum Studies. Rachel originally started volunteering in museums in 2003 and now has many years of professional experience in the DC area. As part of the Museum of Science Fiction, Rachel works on developing the Museum’s exhibitions and permanent collection.

Directors and Senior Staff

Keith Jodoin, Vice President, Video Production Unit
Steve Hohne CPA, Controller
Aisha Matthews MA, Managing Editor, Journal of Science Fiction
Nico Pandi, Director, External Relations
Josh Rector MA, Director, Grants and Proposals
Louis Paul Miller, Creative Director
Jose Canahui, Director, Web Design