Katie Bridgforth, MMNSF Board Member

Meet Katie Bridgforth, MMNSF Board Member

Katie Bridgforth is a dedicated educator with more than a decade of classroom experience and a deep passion for early childhood learning. Since 2014, she has proudly served as a kindergarten teacher at Clinton Park Elementary, where she is known for her enthusiasm, compassion, and commitment to helping young learners build confidence, curiosity, and foundational academic skills.

A graduate of Mississippi College, Katie earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and began her teaching journey as a student teacher in first grade at Clinton Park. She has since taught kindergarten continuously, shaping the lives of countless students through her creative and nurturing approach. In addition to her teaching, Katie is actively working toward becoming a National Board-Certified Teacher, a milestone she hopes to achieve by 2026.

Originally from Benton, Mississippi, Katie grew up in a family of educators. Her mother is a lifelong educator, and her sister currently serves as the librarian at Clinton Park. That strong foundation in education continues to inspire Katie’s work in and out of the classroom.

Katie lives in Clinton with her husband, Holder, their young son, Quade, and their two beloved dogs, Jack and Max. She is proud to serve on the Board of the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science Foundation, where she brings her love of science, learning, and community engagement to support the Foundation’s mission of education and conservation.

Alyssa Fenton, MMNSF Board Committee Member

Meet Alyssa Fenton, MMNSF Board Committee Member

A Louisiana native with a heart rooted in Mississippi, Alyssa Fenton holds a B.S. in Communications from Mississippi College and has spent her career blending journalism, graphic design, and mass marketing.

Her passion for the Magnolia State became especially evident during her time as a multimedia journalist at SuperTalk Mississippi News, where she not only reported breaking news across a variety of platforms but also built the station’s email marketing audience and campaigns entirely from scratch, transforming their digital communications into a vital connection point with listeners across the state.

Now, as the Marketing and Communications Director for the Mississippi Association of REALTORS® and the Mississippi REALTORS® Institute, Alyssa leads statewide messaging efforts and works closely with industry leaders to amplify their voices and ensure Mississippi’s real estate professionals are represented at every level. MAR represents nearly 9,000 members across the state, advocating for private property rights, promoting professional development, and strengthening the real estate industry, efforts Alyssa supports through strategic communications, member engagement, and brand development.

Extending beyond the workplace, Alyssa donates her graphic design skills to small businesses and nonprofit organizations throughout Louisiana and Mississippi, helping local efforts shine with professionalism. She is deeply committed to showcasing Mississippi’s beauty, vibrancy, and the countless resources its communities offer.

Outside of her professional and volunteer work, Alyssa enjoys traveling to new places, supporting the arts, and spending quality time with her husband, their cat, and their dog.

Brett Rasmussen, MMNSF Board Member

Meet Brett Rasmussen, MMNSF Board Member

Brett Rasmussen, PE, CEM, CEAM

AEE “2012 Energy Engineer of the Year”

 Brett Rasmussen was raised in Rexburg, Idaho. He is a graduate of Ricks College; as well as Utah State University where he earned a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering. Mr. Rasmussen earned his Professional Engineering (PE) license in 1992. 

Brett continues to learn which led him to be granted the title of Certified Energy Manager (CEM) in 2007, and Master Level Certified Energy Auditor (CEAM) in 2012. In 2010, Brett received the AEE Legend in Energy award. Brett has been conferred the prestigious award of “2012 Energy Engineer of the Year” by Association of Energy Engineers.

 Mr. Rasmussen has over 15 years of experience in Aerospace engineering and over 20 years as a Utilities/Energy Engineer for the automotive industry. He is instrumental in Nissan’s Canton plant receiving the prestigious Energy Star for superior energy performance.  

The Canton plant was the first industrial facility in the state of Mississippi that is Energy Star labeled and has been for 14 years. Mr. Rasmussen also certified 24 schools in Mississippi for Energy Star labeling. 

He was Mississippi Manufactures Association’s energy committee chairmen for 10 years. He was given a enHance Leadership Award in 2013 from Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality. 

He serves on the Board of Directors for the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science and has been on the Editorial Advisory Board for Compressed Air Best Practices and Chiller & Cooling Best Practices magazines.  He is also a Board Member of Industrial Energy Technical Conference IETC.

Courtney Wood, MMNSF Board Member

Meet Courtney Wood, MMNSF Board Member

Courtney’s “must-see” at the museum: The aquarium hall!

Courtney Wood has been a member of the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science Foundation Board since 2024.

A native of Waco, Texas, Courtney moved to Mississippi after graduating from Baylor University and has been a pillar of the community since arriving.

Courtney is a certified financial planner who has spent the last decade assisting individuals and families with creating goal-driven and tax-efficient wealth planning strategies. She currently serves as a wealth management advisor and director at Magnolia Capital Advisors in Ridgeland.

Courtney was recognized as part of the 2022 class of “Top 50 Leading Business Women in Mississippi” and “Top 40 Under 40” by the Mississippi Business Journal.

Outside of the office, she’s involved with various organizations across the Jackson metro. In addition to her work with the MMNSF, she is active with Mississippi Children’s Museum Partners and is a member of Junior League of Jackson.

Courtney and her husband, Jack, live in Madison with their two children – Cooper and Vivian.