Matt Weismantel, chair, is the delegate from the Rogue Valley Genealogical Society. As an adoptee, he has been interested in genealogy all his life, finding and researching his birth and adoptive families. Matt is pursuing his genealogical certification, graduating from the NGS American Genealogical Studies courses and ProGen 47. He retired from a career as a higher education administrator and holds degrees in historical geography and certification in cartography. Matt volunteers at Ellis Island with the American Family Immigration History Center and the Research Library. He is a member of NGS, the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), and several other organizations. Matt has previously been in leadership roles with the New Jersey Genealogical Society and New Jersey Chapter of APG, and he was involved with the NJ Coalition for Adoption Reform & Education in its successful effort to open records.

Lorrie Martin, vice chair/chair-elect, is the delegate and current president for the Genealogical Society of Greater Miami in Florida. She served on the delegate task force to create a recognition of excellence program for organizations. After working in finance and operations, the search for biological family in 2018 led her to the field of genealogy. She decided to become a professional genealogist focusing on forensic research and earned the Boston University Certificate in Genealogical Research. Lorrie is a member of NGS, APG and the APG Forensic SIG, the Florida State Genealogical Society, and others. She holds a bachelor of business administration from the University of Miami and master of public administration from Florida International University. Lorrie has experience serving on community boards including the Pinewood Cemetery Advisory Board for the City of Coral Gables.

Melissa Barker is the delegate for the Houston County Archives and Museum where she has worked for fifteen years as a certified archives manager and public historian. Affectionally known as The Archive Lady in the genealogy community, she teaches and writes about the genealogy research process, researching in archives, and records preservation. She conducts virtual presentations for various groups, is a well-known published book reviewer, and writes a blog called A Genealogist in the Archives. She has been researching her family history for thirty-five years and has twenty-one years of experience as a professional genealogist with expertise in Tennessee records. Melissa has served on the NGS SLAM! Idea Showcase Committee for several years.

Dr. Edna Briggs is the delegate, president, and historian for the California African American Genealogical Society (CAAGS). A funeral program collector since childhood, she joined CAAGS in 1994 and began researching and documenting her family’s history. One database contains approximately 1,200 descendants of her enslaved fraternal great-grandmother. Edna is also a member of the Southern California Genealogical Society, Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS) and its Arkansas Chapter, AAHGS/PAAC (Preserving African American Cemeteries), and Arkansas Genealogy Society. She’s taught genealogy classes and spoken on African American genealogy research. She holds a doctorate in public administration from the University of Southern California and had a career in public administration, policymaking, and healthcare management. She advocates for small genealogical societies and works on converting her research into published products in retirement. Edna served on the task force to create a recognition of excellence program.

Bill Burchfield, MSLS, is the delegate and a staff genealogist for the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), and he served on SAR’s local host committee for the NGS 2025 Family History Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. Bill was previously a librarian at the Kentucky Historical Society where, along with the usual librarian tasks of cataloging, repairing, etc., he also performed extensive genealogical research for television productions and patrons for several years. Bill has been a conference speaker and written several genealogy articles. He earned a bachelor of arts in organizational leadership from Northern Kentucky University and his master of science in library science from the University of Kentucky. Bill is a member of NGS and APG along with several library-related organizations.

Rhonda Hoffman is the genealogy specialist and delegate for the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, where she has dedicated her twenty-five-year career to serving genealogists. She holds a bachelor of arts in history and a master of library science, and is a ProGen 57 and ProGen Practicum 4 graduate. Rhonda has contributed articles to local, regional, and national family history periodicals and frequently lectures in New York State. She has served as president, board member, librarian, and journal editor for the Western New York Genealogical Society. In 2024, Rhonda was honored by the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society as part of their Preservation in Action series, which spotlights leaders and trailblazers whose innovative work inspires, educates, and has a lasting impact on the genealogy and family history field. She was also involved with the project that won the 2024 SLAM! Idea Showcase. Rhonda is a member of NGS and interested in strengthening library-society partnerships and the role of genealogy librarians.

Karen Lehfeldt has been researching her family’s genealogy since 2017. Following her retirement from social services in Washington State, she began focusing on genealogical training, managing her own research, and helping others in their research. Karen volunteers at the Lewiston City Library’s History Room, has led the Twin Rivers Genealogy Society as president since 2020, and participates in the Washington Presidents Council. She is also a member of NGS, the local Sons of Norway, and three historical museums. Since 2023, Karen has been the delegate for the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society and served on the 2025 Communication subcommittee.

Lois Mackin, PhD, is the delegate for the Minnesota Genealogical Society (MGS). She is also a member, volunteer, and officeholder for numerous genealogical, historical, and lineage societies, including NGS, DAR, the Irish Genealogical Society International, and the National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the State of Minnesota, where she is currently president. She has been a professional genealogist focusing on British Isles and America research since 2009. Lois teaches and writes about genealogical records and methods, including DNA. She holds three degrees in history and has completed ProGen 5 and over a dozen genealogical institute courses. Lois was a member of the Delegate Council Steering Committee from 2020 to 2022 and served on the task force to create a recognition of excellence program.

Karen Molohon, vice president for society and organization management and immediate past chair, is active in the genealogical community as an instructor, lecturer, and society officer. Karen has done genealogy research for over forty years and serves as the delegate for the Cobb County Genealogical Society (CCGS). She is past director of the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR) and past president of CCGS and the Georgia Genealogical Society. Karen is also a member of NGS, APG, Illinois State Genealogical Society (ISGS), and the Fielding Lewis Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). A retired information designer and project manager for an international airline telecommunications company, she holds a bachelor’s in psychology and master’s in educational psychology and guidance from Eastern Illinois University, and a master’s in technical and professional communication from Southern Polytechnic State University (since merged with Kennesaw State University). Karen is the genealogy instructor for Kennesaw State University Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

Amy Urman, a private investigator, professional genealogist, and speaker, is dedicated to uncovering hidden stories, tracing ancestral threads, and locating elusive assets as the owner of Nosy Wilma LLC. Amy’s interest in investigation and genealogy began with a curiosity about history and lineage. As a co-founder and past president of the Pima County Genealogy Society, she played a pivotal role in nurturing a small genealogy club into a larger non-profit society. She now contributes as the delegate and with committees and the Great Lakes Special Research group. Amy volunteers on the Arizona DAR State Lineage Committee and previously served in logistics for the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. She has completed the NGS American Studies Basic Course, is an alumnus of ProGen28, and earned the Boston University Certificate in Genealogical Research. She is also a member of NGS, APG, DAR, ISGS, the Arizona Association of Licensed Private Investigators, Arizona Genealogical Advisory Board, and Chicago Genealogical Society.

Jen Zinck, CG, is a researcher, speaker, and educator with a passion for learning and applying genealogy standards to help reclaim lost and forgotten stories of our ancestors. She earned her credential from the Board for Certification of Genealogists in 2021. Jen is the delegate and president for the Connecticut Professional Genealogists Council, and served on the task force to create a recognition of excellence program. As the publications chairperson for the Connecticut Society of Genealogists, she oversees the quarterly magazine, Connecticut Genealogy News, and the semiannual peer-reviewed journal, The Connecticut Nutmegger. Jen is a member of NGS and enjoys sharing her contagious enthusiasm for family history with people of all ages.