American Atheists works with local leaders to support the work of groups, other nonprofit organizations, and activist organizations on the ground throughout the nation.
American Atheists’ National Field Organizer is Jim G. Helton. If you have any questions about our State Director program please contact Jim via email.
Click on your state below to learn about your local State Directors
Alabama
Kristine Klopp
Kristine was born in Canada and was raised secular. She moved to Alabama in 2001. Shortly after, she sought out a local atheist group for support and relief from the religiosity surrounding her in the deep south bible belt. Kristine works as a Counselor for the State of Alabama and part time as a Therapist at a mental health hospital. Kristine is an Administrator and founder of Mobile Atheist Community since 2012, and became an Assistant Director for Alabama with American Atheists in 2017.Arizona
Donald Lacey
520.370.8420Donald Lacey is a Life Member and the State Director for Arizona. He is a retired research and development engineer and program manager. He retired as a Major from the US Air Force after 27 years and worked at Raytheon Missile Systems until March of 2008. He is currently the organizer for Tucson Atheists as well as a charter board member of the Secular Coalition for Arizona. Don is also a program counselor for Camp Quest Arizona.
Ronnie Litchfield
602.741.1566Ronnie has been an American Atheist Life Member since 2011 and has lived in the Phoenix area since high school. He is a Marine Corps Veteran, a Professional Engineer registered in Arizona, and a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. He enjoys amateur astronomy, traveling, and political activism against violations of the separation of state and religion.Arkansas
Steven Foster
A graduate of the University of Arkansas with a degree in Criminal Justice. Entered the profession of social work working with diverse population including juvenile detention, child abuse investigations, case work, with the mentally disabled. Awarded by the Arkansas Press Association for excellence in freelance journalism.
Karen Dempsey
732.444.8224Karen has been a small business owner for 21 years (Precision Inspection Services, Inc. in New Jersey). Prior to that she worked with Werner Erhard & Associates for 10 years as Seminar Leader, Pre- and Mid-Training Leader, Regional Director, Financial Auditor and Center Manager of the Philadelphia and New Jersey centers. Karen continues to operate her company remotely from Arkansas where she moved 4 years ago.Connecticut
Dennis Paul Himes
860.454.8301Dennis Paul Himes has been the Connecticut State Director of American Atheists since 2003. He was also a co-founder and the first president of Connecticut Valley Atheists. He is currently a co-chair of the Connecticut Coalition of Reason.
Patrick McCann
860.704.9003Pat McCann has been an atheist and humanist for over 40 years and has been a secular activist in Connecticut since attending the first Reason Rally in 2012. He was formerly the president of the Hartford Area Humanists and co-chair of the Connecticut Coalition of Reason.Indiana
Andrew Garber
812.223.0022When Andrew was de-converting from Catholicism, he tried every religion he could find. From Buddhism to Satanism, nothing seemed to fit. Imagine trying on dozens of straitjackets looking for something comfortable. In atheism, he's found the sweet relief of streaking! Today, Andrew looks to help make the world better for everyone. God can't help people, but people can!
Troy Moss
Troy is the President of Northern Indiana Atheists, a non-profit established to fight state/church violations on a local level and defend the rights of atheists across Northern Indiana. Atheists are underserved in our communities and underrepresented by our government. NIA works to elevate the voices of atheists in public discourse while supporting our members and atheist communities across Northern Indiana.Troy is proud to be an Assistant State Director for American Atheists in Indiana. The support and legal assistance provided by American Atheists allows us to do the work that needs to be done in Northern Indiana.
Jen Scott
859.667.4850Jen Scott is the Vice President & Treasurer of the Tri-State Freethinkers and serves on the Board of Directors of American Atheists as Treasurer. She is a community organizer and grassroots activist who has planned several protests including the annual Ark Encounter Protest, actions countering the KKK & Westboro Baptist Church, and organized rallies including the March for Science & Pride Parade in Cincinnati. Due in part to her leadership, the Tri-State Freethinkers received the 2017 American Atheists Affiliate of the Year award for their outstanding activism, education and community service. Jen received the 2018 American Atheists Activist of the Year award at the national convention in Oklahoma City for her work as Kentucky State Director. Jen was appointed Regional Director, Midwest in 2018.Iowa
Justin Scott
Named American Atheists 2017 Atheist of the Year, Justin Scott is eager to serve as state director for Iowa, the only state he's ever called home. With a passion for activism, Justin looks to build a strong team that can help implement American Atheists strategies and initiatives, while defending the complete separation between religion and government across Iowa.Kentucky
Johnny Pike
Johnny Pike is the Kentucky State Director for American Atheists. He lives in Lexington, Kentucky and is the Activist Coordinator for The Humanist Forum of Central Kentucky. He is a Purple-Heart veteran and has a degree in Science & Communications.
Jacob Mounts
Jacob Mounts is a 1993 graduate of Gibson Southern HS and 2003 graduate of Univ. of Southern Indiana. He is a US Army veteran. He is the founder of Tri-state Area Atheists and Skeptics in SW Indiana. He also engages in other humanist and free thinker groups locally, nationally and internationally at various levels of involvement.
Nate Crawford
Nate is an avid skeptic, activist and the organizer of Paducah Freethinkers.
Kayla Bowen
859.556.3685Kayla is the president and founder of the Secular Student Alliance at Morehead State University which she started in response to Kim Davis, the local county clerk, who denied marriage licenses to gay couples on the basis of religion.
Joshua Buckman
Josh Buckman brings a wide variety of experience to the position of assistant state director. A recovering Catholic, Josh now fights for organizations such as Planned Parenthood and the Human Rights Campaign. He has met numerous legislators advocating causes from LGBT rights to comprehensive sex education. He believes America should be led by evidenced based research, not superstition.Jen Scott
859.667.4850Jen Scott is the Vice President & Treasurer of the Tri-State Freethinkers and serves on the Board of Directors of American Atheists as Treasurer. She is a community organizer and grassroots activist who has planned several protests including the annual Ark Encounter Protest, actions countering the KKK & Westboro Baptist Church, and organized rallies including the March for Science & Pride Parade in Cincinnati. Due in part to her leadership, the Tri-State Freethinkers received the 2017 American Atheists Affiliate of the Year award for their outstanding activism, education and community service. Jen received the 2018 American Atheists Activist of the Year award at the national convention in Oklahoma City for her work as Kentucky State Director. Jen was appointed Regional Director, Midwest in 2018.Louisiana
Beth Deitch
Beth Deitch discovered that New Orleans was her true home almost 30 years ago, and has lived there ever since. She has a PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and is currently teaching in the Freeman School of Business at Tulane University. Her teaching experience covers Psychology, Organizational Behavior, Management, Leadership, Testing and Measurement, Statistics and Research Methods. Her main areas of research are workplace discrimination and employee well-being. Beth is on the Board of the New Orleans Secular Humanist Association, and handles a variety of tasks for NOSHA, including membership management and graphic design.
Aron Ra
Aron Ra is a science communicator and secular activist with roughly 150,000 subscribers to his YouTube channel. His videos promoting scientific skepticism, secular politics and humanist values have been mirrored, featured, referenced, and recommended by many professional scientists, secularists, and educators.Maryland
Mike Reid
Mike has been an atheist all of his life. He is a long-time secular activist and a former president of the Washington (DC) Area Secular Humanists (WASH). He was on the Board of Directors for the 2012 Reason Rally Coalition and organized the volunteers for that event. Professionally, he works in the aerospace field. He also volunteers at a major natural history museum. He is also a former science teacher. Mike holds a B.S. degree in geology and an M.S. in computer & information science.
Samantha McGuire
240.561.9397Samantha McGuire is the current President of the Washington Area Secular Humanists (WASH) and is a founding member and the organizer of the Southern Maryland Chapter of WASH.Massachusetts
Zachary Bos
617.935.4951Zachary has been State Director for Massachusetts since 2008. As past President of the Boston Atheists community group, he helped that AA affiliated grow into the largest secular membership organization in New England. He is a founding member of the Boston Coalition for Reason, Sunday Assembly Boston, and Secular Coalition for Massachusetts, and is a Trustee of Sunday Assembly America. He serves the community regularly as a nontheist celebrant, a citizen lobbyist, and fundraiser for secular causes and organizations and progressive campaigns. He is editor of Secular Age, and the convener of the Boston Interpath Workgroup. As a writer, his essays, translations, poetry and fiction have appeared widely in US and international publications. Professionally, he is an administrator at Boston University, and publishing director of Pen & Anvil Press.Michigan
Ryan Thibodeau
Recognized nationally as a Director and Designer of the marching arts, Ryans inspiration, leadership, development and creativity have helped young musicians enhance their professional, cooperative and leadership skills as well as thier self-image, confidence and competitive spirit. Ryan has served his country as a non commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, provided growth and development opportunities for students as a music teacher in metro Detroit, and has performed and recorded professionally as a percussionist for over 20 years. Ryan is the host and creator of The Atheist Perspective podcast.Jen Scott
859.667.4850Jen Scott is the Vice President & Treasurer of the Tri-State Freethinkers and serves on the Board of Directors of American Atheists as Treasurer. She is a community organizer and grassroots activist who has planned several protests including the annual Ark Encounter Protest, actions countering the KKK & Westboro Baptist Church, and organized rallies including the March for Science & Pride Parade in Cincinnati. Due in part to her leadership, the Tri-State Freethinkers received the 2017 American Atheists Affiliate of the Year award for their outstanding activism, education and community service. Jen received the 2018 American Atheists Activist of the Year award at the national convention in Oklahoma City for her work as Kentucky State Director. Jen was appointed Regional Director, Midwest in 2018.Minnesota
Raghen Lucy
7015709488Raghen Lucy founded the Secular Student Alliance at Minnesota State University, Mankato and finds great joy in serving as an ambassador for the secular cause in Minnesota. She was inspired to major in Philosophy, Politics & Economics and pursue a career in Constitutional Law by her favorite author and religious critic, Christopher Hitchens. After completing her undergraduate program, Raghen is looking forward to attending law school and launching a career in Washington, D.C. She wants to deal with cases regarding freedom of speech and religion.Mississippi
Sarah Worrel
Sarah Worrel is the current leader of the MS Gulf Coast Humanists and co-organizer for the MS Gulf Coast Atheist and Freethinker Association.Nevada
Carly L. Gardner
8015578897Carly Gardner was born and raised an atheist in Mormonville (aka Salt Lake City, Utah). She is highly active in the atheist community and is the treasurer for The Center for Science and Wonder, a radically inclusive non religious community center in Las Vegas. Carly works together with her husband Monte to promote scientific thinking and rational communities with an emphasis on children. Her first son was just born October 2018.New Jersey
Bill Goers
732.804.8849Born in Japan and raised in Texas, Bill spent 35 years working at Bell Labs in New Jersey until retiring in 2016. The last chapters of his professional career were written as a marketing executive for wireless communications, where he helped usher in the latest generations of public network technology including 3G, 4G and 5G. He is an avid hiker, cyclist, skier, SCUBA diver and musician. Inspired by the outstanding speakers and leaders he met at his first AACON in 2017, Bill volunteered to become the State Director for New Jersey.New York
Richard Schloss
Richard Schloss is the fourth person to serve as President of Long Island Atheists, having joined the organization back in 2010, two years after its founding. He is a member of several secular advocacy organizations, including Americans United For Separation of Church and State, American Humanist Association, Freedom From Religion Foundation, Center For Inquiry-Long Island, and the New York City Skeptics, as well as American Atheists. He is married to a "Humanistic Jew," with whom he has two adult sons; both his sons consider themselves atheists and freethinkers. He maintains a full-time private practice in general adult psychiatry in Huntington, NY.Ohio
Sarah Wiseman
Sarah Wiseman attended the Ark Encounter protest and realized she could have an impact in Dayton, Ohio by doing what she can as an activist, raising awareness, and bringing more light to the issues. Ms. Wiseman is zealous about bettering people’s lives through education, representation, and by speaking out against issues surrounding inequality. Ms. Wiseman is a passionate woman who is inspired by all things that work to the betterment of people’s lives. She is a proud, working, mother of three and desires to increase her education on those subjects that will help the organization improve its effectiveness in Ohio. Ms. Wiseman wants to rid the world of bigotry, hate, and oppression. Her deepest concerns are for the children of tomorrow, as she desires to see them have the best interests of humanity in the forefront of their minds.
Megan Denman
Megan started the Cleveland Humanist Alliance (Cleveland, Ohio) in January of 2017, with the goal to connect with and empower nonbelievers who are working to better their communities. Since then, the knowledge, experiences and people she's met have all broadened her scope of humanism and atheism, and strengthened her values. Megan is excited to be a part of American Atheists' vision of normalizing and humanizing atheism, showing kindness in action, and standing up for those marginalized by social and political systems.Jen Scott
859.667.4850Jen Scott is the Vice President & Treasurer of the Tri-State Freethinkers and serves on the Board of Directors of American Atheists as Treasurer. She is a community organizer and grassroots activist who has planned several protests including the annual Ark Encounter Protest, actions countering the KKK & Westboro Baptist Church, and organized rallies including the March for Science & Pride Parade in Cincinnati. Due in part to her leadership, the Tri-State Freethinkers received the 2017 American Atheists Affiliate of the Year award for their outstanding activism, education and community service. Jen received the 2018 American Atheists Activist of the Year award at the national convention in Oklahoma City for her work as Kentucky State Director. Jen was appointed Regional Director, Midwest in 2018.Oklahoma
Meaghan Newman
Meaghan Newman has been an Oklahoma resident for 25 years and is currently Treasurer on the Board of Directors for the largest local non-believer group in the state, Oklahoma Atheists. Before joining the movement, she graduated from Oklahoma City University with a degree in Psychology and joined in with local protests and lobby activities. She is an enthusiastic and newly-minted activist who has been involved in several local efforts, including speaking out against legislation that threatens equal rights for Oklahomans and helping to grow her local organization. Meaghan is also dedicated to community service and has volunteered with organizations such as the Central Oklahoma Humane Society and the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. Her vision for her state involves uniting atheists and freethinkers all over Oklahoma in order to help serve the purpose of promoting positive atheism, fostering community among non-believers, and fighting for equality and the separation of church and state.
Amanda Baggett
Amanda grew up in a religious household and attended Christian schools, although she never truly believed in a god. She discovered a group of like-minded individuals in 2010 and quickly developed a passion for atheist activism and the promotion of positive secularism in society. She served as a Board member of her local atheist group for several years. After her husband passed away in 2016, Amanda decided to dedicate more of her time to secular charities and her local atheist organization. She became the President of the Atheist Community of Tulsa in 2017 and continues to advocate for the separation of church and state while encouraging secular volunteer efforts to serve her local and regional community.
Tim Ward
7402517239Tim grew up on the shores of Lake Erie in Ohio. His love of sailing and astronomy led him to contributing to environmental causes. He eventually discovered he was an atheist and had a drive for the separation of church and state. Posting memes and comments was one thing but making an actual difference required him to be active. Motivated now by his two daughters, he joined the local chapter of American Atheist and works to improve the image of atheists. When Tim isn't working as a paramedic he concentrates on issues related to women and children, the LGBTQ community, and separation of church and state.Aron Ra
Aron Ra is a science communicator and secular activist with roughly 150,000 subscribers to his YouTube channel. His videos promoting scientific skepticism, secular politics and humanist values have been mirrored, featured, referenced, and recommended by many professional scientists, secularists, and educators.Pennsylvania
Jeff Prebeg
Born and raised his entire life, Jeffrey is also a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. While realizing he was an atheist in high school, his activism didn't start until two years ago. Energized by his victory of the state of Pennsylvania's DMV over a 1st amendment issue regarding an atheist vanity plate, he began working with his local secular organization. Now a board member and social media manager for the Pittsburgh Freethought Community, he does what he can to promote science, critical thinking, and atheism normalization wherever he goes (His car helps). He currently resides in the city of Pittsburgh, with his two cats Jessica and Jojo.Samantha McGuire
240.561.9397Samantha McGuire is the current President of the Washington Area Secular Humanists (WASH) and is a founding member and the organizer of the Southern Maryland Chapter of WASH.Tennessee
Gayle Jordan
615.556.6224Gayle Jordan is an attorney in the middle Tennessee area. She is the Executive Director of Recovering from Religion, the founder of Murfreesboro Freethinkers, and a co-founder of NaNoCon. She raises longhorn cattle, donkeys, goats, and chickens on Freethought Farm. She is an Ironman athlete and continues to train for and compete in endurance triathlon events.Jen Scott
859.667.4850Jen Scott is the Vice President & Treasurer of the Tri-State Freethinkers and serves on the Board of Directors of American Atheists as Treasurer. She is a community organizer and grassroots activist who has planned several protests including the annual Ark Encounter Protest, actions countering the KKK & Westboro Baptist Church, and organized rallies including the March for Science & Pride Parade in Cincinnati. Due in part to her leadership, the Tri-State Freethinkers received the 2017 American Atheists Affiliate of the Year award for their outstanding activism, education and community service. Jen received the 2018 American Atheists Activist of the Year award at the national convention in Oklahoma City for her work as Kentucky State Director. Jen was appointed Regional Director, Midwest in 2018.Texas
Susan Turpin
Susan Turpin is a native Texan who became involved with atheist activism in her hometown of Corpus Christi. After a brief time in Austin, she moved to Fort Worth in 2017 and became more involved in politics and rediscovered her passion for fighting for what's right. In addition to working with American Atheists, she also is treasurer for the Texas Secular Caucus, a Quiz Master for Geeks Who Drink, and a member of the Tarrant County Democratic Woman's Club. She's a feminist, a wookiee-lover, and an unashamed dork.
Nathaniel Walters
402.430.2117Nathaniel is an open agnostic atheist who has been involved in activism throughout Texas and the Midwest for the past decade. He hosts and speaks at events for American Atheists and other secular organizations throughout Texas. He is also involved with StudentsMarch.org (March for our Lives) and March for Science. Nathaniel lives in Dallas with his girlfriend Ana'Leese and their two Corgis, Benny Barkington and Stanley Ipkiss.
Tracey Benefield
Tracey is a Medicare insurance agent by day and activist by night. As an assistant state director she works with local atheist groups to help them establish themselves. She has been an integral part in the formation of the Atheist community of Lubbock, working as the communication and public relations director. She has a passion for education and activism and has dedicated her life's work to educating people on the most important issues in their communities.Aron Ra
Aron Ra is a science communicator and secular activist with roughly 150,000 subscribers to his YouTube channel. His videos promoting scientific skepticism, secular politics and humanist values have been mirrored, featured, referenced, and recommended by many professional scientists, secularists, and educators.Utah
Dan Ellis
801.784.2053Dan Ellis was born in Brigham City, Utah, and was raised as a member of the state's predominant faith (Mormon), but he never really believed any of it. He officially resigned from the LDS Church and has been an atheist activist for the last eight years.Virginia
Larry Mendoza
Larry has been an activist in the atheist community for over 12 years. He co-founded the United Secular Alliance, a secular student group at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. A year after graduating with a Masters degree in Biology, Larry moved to northern Virginia where he joined the board of Beltway Atheists, Inc., a non-profit atheist affiliate of American Atheists as Director of Education. Larry has been an invited speaker on topics such as separation of church and state and evolution/creationism. In 2011 he joined the northern Virginia public access TV show Road to Reason where he was able to interview Richard Dawkins during a live studio broadcast. Larry joined American Atheists in 2018 in order to help further the ACES program by engaging and uniting Virginia atheists and getting them motivated for grassroots activism.
Dusty Sabourin
Dusty is a Canadian ex-pat and lifelong atheist. In 2013 she joined Little Heathens, a local meet-up for atheist parents in Spring, Texas; her experiences as both a member and organizer led her to recognize the urgent need for community building and representation among atheist families in the US. Dusty went on to create the Secular Family Social Club, which she uses as a platform to promote secular family community and assist other secular parents in developing their own local family groups. By combining her passion for secular community and social justice, she hopes to guide people toward a goal of increasing acceptance and inclusivity both within and on behalf of the atheist community. Dusty currently serves as organizer for Little Heathens of RVA.
Silvia Park
Silvia Park has a lot of experience volunteering over the years with the secular statewide home school organization in Virginia, and now that her children are all adults now, she is excited to be able to focus her attention more fully on matters important to atheists. Silvia is the coordinator for the Atheist Community of Charlottesville, a new group that is growing quickly. She enjoys organizing activities for the group and is very eager to follow the ACES program. As the mother of a transgender child, and also just because everyone with any decency should, Silvia has a keen interest in promoting and supporting LGBT rights.Eric Santiago
703.421.6362Eric is a US Army veteran, father of two sons, 15-year web developer, and has been an atheist activist since 2008. He's vice president of Beltway Atheists Inc., co-host of The Nondescript Atheist public access show/podcast, and co-host of Righteous Anger Podcast. He develops video games in his spare time, and enjoys building computers.
Eric Herrman
Eric Herrman is the head of Beltway Atheists in Northern Virginia. He also runs a weekly cable radio show / podcast, The Nondescript Atheist. Eric has been involved in atheist activism for over twenty years.
Aiden Barnes
Aiden Barnes is an Assistant State Director for Virginia Beach. He is currently the organizer of the Southeastern Virginia Atheists Skeptics & Humanists (SEVASH). A lifelong skeptic, Aiden is proud to serve American Atheists in the pursuit of promoting science, reason, and secular values here in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Curtis Smith
Curtis Smith is an Assistant State Director in the Richmond Virginia area. Currently organizes the Atheists, Agnostics, and Humanists of Richmond group, and is establishing the Virginia Secular Democrats. A retired federal correctional worker, former American Federation of Government Employees union steward, and was in the US Air Force for nine years. He grew up near Cleveland Ohio.
Ryan Boone
Ryan is an atheist activist from rural Southwest Virginia. He speaks out for secular values and participates in citizen lobbying. He's made a career in retail management, but hopes to finish college and be a physics teacher. Much of his activism outside organized atheism is centered around mental health, informed by his own diagnosed anxiety and depressive disorders and a 2017 attempt at suicide.Samantha McGuire
240.561.9397Samantha McGuire is the current President of the Washington Area Secular Humanists (WASH) and is a founding member and the organizer of the Southern Maryland Chapter of WASH.Washington
Daniel Bennett
360.434.5703I'm a very outspoken Atheist with a strong grasp of philosophy and science; in the world of Facebook I'm known as “the Pseudoscience Guy” and have founded multiple groups and pages dedicated to science and skepticism. I'm a Navy veteran and full time college student. I'm very politically involved in both local and national issues as well as being involved in events and protests.West Virginia
Margaret Capehart
Margaret “Maggie” Capehart is a senior college student, obtaining an Engineering with Civil emphasis degree, along with a minor in both math and music. After transferring from West Virginia University to Marshall University in the spring of 2017, she helped found and lead her college’s Secular Student Alliance (MU SSA).