World Heritage USA / ICOMOS-USA is pleased to announce two new trustees to our Board of Directors: Associate Professor Angela Lombardi, Ph.D., and Ms. Courtney Lyons-Garcia, M.A. Our new trustees were appointed to the Board on May 31, 2024, with each filling current vacancies. The membership will vote on 3-year terms for Dr. Lombardi and Ms. Lyons-Garcia at our Annual Meeting in December. We look forward to their contributions to the work and mission of the organization.
Meet the new trustees:
Associate Professor Angela Lombardi, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Architecture with a focus on Historic Preservation, University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA)
Dr. Angela Lombardi is an expert in investigation and conservation of masonry, as well as traditional construction methods and building reuse. Her research includes an advanced study of the San Antonio Spanish Colonial cultural landscape within the broader cultural continuum of the Camino Real de los Tejas, applying advanced documentation technologies such as GIS, 3D reconstructions, etc., at the scale of the building, of the city and of the territory. She has co-authored Historic Structure Reports on the convento structures of Missions Concepción and San José, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Franciscan Missions of San Antonio, Texas.
Internationally, Dr. Lombardi’s work has included projects at UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Baalbek and Tyre in Lebanon, Erbil in Iraq and the historic center of Lima, Peru. She is co-editor of the 2012 book Lima: the Historic Center Analysis and Restoration (https://www.wmf.org/publication/lima-historic-center-analysis-and-restoration ) and of the 2019 book History meets Science between Abruzzo and Texas, resulting from a joint research agreement between UTSA and the University of L’Aquila, Italy. Dr. Lombardi also conducts research engaging students: in 2016 at the Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda of Querétaro, Mexico and, in 2020 in Mexico city, both focused on conservation and management of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Dr. Lombardi completed her Master of Architecture, MS in Architectural Heritage and Landscape Conservation, and PhD in Urban and Environmental Rehabilitation, at Sapienza University of Rome.
Ms. Courtney Lyons-Garcia, M.A.
Executive Director, Partnership for the National Trails System (New Braunfels, Texas)
Courtney Lyons-Garcia became Executive Director of the Partnership for the National Trails System in October 2023. In addition to administrative leadership, she is responsible for fundraising, advocacy, marketing and public relations for the organization, as well as board and membership development. She also teaches classes in Mass Communications for Texas State University as an Adjunct Professor and is a Trail Specialist for Great Springs Project.
Courtney holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and master’s degrees in both media/public affairs and sustainable tourism from The George Washington University.
Courtney earned both of her masters degrees while working in the Development Department at The George Washington University. She completed her master’s degree internship as an editorial assistant at National Geographic Traveler before joining the National Parks Conservation Association. After moving home to Texas, Courtney served as the Development Director at the San Antonio Botanical Society, Development Director for the Mid-Texas Symphony, serving Seguin and New Braunfels, and spent more than 13 years as Executive Director of Big Bend Conservancy. She has also served as Executive Director for the Public Lands Foundation and for Mission Heritage Partners, the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park support group.