LST 393 MUSEUM SELECTS NEW MANAGER Museums have always been special places for Ryan Lancaster. Now Lancaster is special to one in particular – USS LST 393 Veterans Museum in Muskegon.

Lancaster was named museum manager this week by the museum’s board of directors. He replaces James Flood, who served as executive director until his untimely passing this spring.

Lancaster already has a couple of jobs. He’s a history instructor at Muskegon Community College during the fall and winter semesters and a wrestling coach at Grand Valley State University, which is a winter sport although athletes train year-round.

But the museum, on board the historic landing ship tank USS LST 393, is open full time June through August and part-time in May and September, so he’s confident he can manage.

“I’m a man with many hats, but I know if something is important to you, you make time for it,” Lancaster said. “I am very passionate about history and the LST, and I am excited to be aboard for part of her journey.”

He said he will focus first on the basics of making sure the “tour experience” for paying customers is up to standards. Then he’ll try to take it up a notch with easy-to-use technology based on cellphones.

He also is focusing on cataloging the museum’s tens of thousands of artifacts and improving displays.

Lancaster has a B.S in history from Grand Valley and a master’s degree in U.S. History from the American Military University. He and his wife, Betsy, live in Holland with their four children.