About

Joel A. Bartsch serves as the CEO and president of the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences (HMNS) in Texas. Joel Bartsch’s experience with this institution spans more than three decades and is interspersed with stints at several other institutions around the country.

Initially, Mr. Bartsch joined HMNS as a security guard and staff member. This came about a year after he served as assistant to the director at the Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum, his first job within the museum industry. Though the position at HMNS ultimately lasted for only a year, he gained experience working in various departments at both HMNS and the Texas Memorial Museum during this time.

This experiences later helped Joel A. Bartsch in the various jobs he held at museums in California and Hawaii. For 2 years, he served as curator of earth sciences at the Lyman House Memorial Museum, where he was responsible for doubling the museum’s membership. He subsequently joined the California State Mining & Mineral Museum as curator, and later as director. Mr. Bartsch remained at the latter institution for 3 years before returning to HMNS.

Mr. Bartsch returned to HMNS as curator and director of earth sciences. He remained in this position for 13 years, and was responsible for managing project budgets of more than $5 million. In 2004, he was promoted to his current position as CEO and president.