Meet Our Board of Directors
Meet the Board of CoMo Preservation which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to the preservation of historic architecture in Columbia, Missouri. We strive to have a Board representing the full diversity of our community to give a voice to all who are passionate about preserving our historic architecture. If you are interested in joining the Board of Directors and/or devoting your time and talents to further our mission, please contact us at CoMoPreservation@gmail.com.
Dee Wasman
Webmaster, Dee Wasman, has been a part of CoMo Preservation since June 2022. A self-proclaimed anglophile, Dee’s love for historic preservation was fostered through her travels. Her favorite destinations range from the UK’s Cornish Coast to Savannah, Georgia. But her true love is Columbia’s unique historic architecture and learning about the technology necessary to promote the mission of CoMo Preservation. Besides her talents at technology wrangling, Dee earned a Masters in mathematics & PhD in curriculum and instruction at Mizzou. She was a mathematics teacher for 30 years with 24 of those years at Hickman High School where she became a PAEMST Awardee in 2015. She just recently became a Columbia Certified Tourism Ambassador.
Elena Vega
In January 2011 Elena Vega moved into a historic property in Columbia and entered the world of historic preservation. She has been involved with CoMo Preservation since May 2022 when it was only a dream. Since retiring in 2020, Elena has been spending time helping with her grandchildren and replacing her lawn with native plants including Missouri Coneflower, Little Blue Grass, Purple Coneflowers, and as many milkweeds as possible to support native pollinators. She is also on a mission to see the National Parks.
Melissa Bernhardt
Dedicated Lab Tech with a lifelong commitment to medical laboratories. My passion for history and historic places, influenced by parents deeply involved in restoration and American history, fuels my appreciation for the past. Beyond the lab, I find joy in breathing new life into old and discarded items, turning them into functional treasures.
Michael Limmer
Michael is a PhD candidate in history at the University of Missouri. His research investigates the social and political stakes of American soldiers in Italy during and after World War II. Prior to my PhD studies, I received my MA in history from the University of Missouri and my undergraduate degree in historical studies from Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville. Originally hailing from Florissant, MO, Michael is a devoted fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis City SC. Aside from dissertating and researching, Michael spends his free time with his dachshund, Geddy.
Richard Perkins
Richard moved to Columbia, from England, via California (the state) in 1992. He has a background in the fine arts and has been an integral part of many architectural and construction roles in Columbia. He particularly enjoys the work he has done in historic preservation tax credit projects across the nation. He is a person who has been profoundly shaped by the landscape and architecture that surrounded him as he grew up. He is now a dedicated husband and father (who once in a while gets to potter in his garden where he mixes formality with rogue natives).
Matt Carroll
Matt is a St. Louis native and current Master of Public Affairs student at Mizzou. In addition to serving with Como Preservation, he also volunteers at the State Historical Society of Missouri. Matt has a passion for local history and the way in which historic buildings represent shared experiences across multiple generations. He first became involved with historic preservation in 2023 when two storied buildings in Midtown, St. Louis were facing demolition but were ultimately saved after community support. In his free time, he enjoys following St. Louis and Mizzou sports, reading, and all things history.
Chloe Nielsen
Chloe Nielsen has been a part of CoMo Preservation since January of 2024. Her love of architecture and passion for sustainability helped stoke her love for historic preservation. You might see her graphics on our social media pages or meet her on a tour. She loves to travel and has studied the work of preservationists and contemporary architects throughout Italy. After moving to Columbia in 2019 she fell in love with Columbia’s culture and charm. Chloe holds bachelor degrees in architectural studies with an emphasis in interior design and psychology in addition to a certification in engineering sustainability. Currently, she works as a healthcare interior designer and is pursuing a Master of Architecture at the University of Missouri.