Interview with New Executive Director Nick LaCasse

We sat down with incoming Executive Director Nick LaCasse to learn a little more about the journey that brought him to Hickory Corners. Originally from Minnesota, LaCasse started his career after receiving a B.A. and Masters of Arts from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Since then, he has amassed over a decade’s worth of experience at the US Space & Rocket Center and the Greenbrier Historical Society prior to his role at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum.

Let's start with some fun, rapid fire questions.

What was your first car?

I shared a Plymouth Voyager with my brothers.

Dogs or cats?

Cats.

Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora or Vinyl?

Pandora because of the variety, but the crisp sound of a classic vinyl is fantastic.

Best book you’ve read lately?

The Quantum Labyrinth.

What is your dream car?

This changes frequently but an Alfa Romeo type 33 Tipo is quite nice.

Bucket list travel destination?

A remote fjord in northern Norway in the middle of summer.

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Thanks for those answers, hopefully it was an enjoyable exercise for you as well! Now let's dive a little deeper.

How did you get started in the museum industry?

I helped develop the museum studies program at the University of Alabama-Huntsville during graduate school and then started at the US Space and Rocket Center right after graduating. I have always been a big advocate for museums and what they can teach someone about life, science and the arts.

Why is it important to utilize the automobile as a means to chronicle American history?

Transportation in general has been singularly unique to American history since manifest destiny. The automobile has always been more than a means of transportation. It has been a benchmark for technological progress, design and innovation. They drive us forward in so many ways as well as tie us to our community. Collectively we can all relate to the automobile in one form or another. Perhaps it was a fond memory of driving to the lake with your family, or it was everyone watching a white Ford Bronco take a long drive on the 405.

How do you envision telling the next chapter(s) of automotive history?

My hope is to make them more accessible to wider audiences while also expanding the general history and understanding of different brands and how they have added to American history.

What attracted you to this opportunity with the Gilmore Car Museum (GCM)?

The Gilmore Car Museum is a great museum, in a great place, with great people. What more could you ask for?

Where do you see the growth potential for both GCM and automotive history in general?

In general, I believe many car museums need to expand their audience and refocus their collection in a more experiential way. The Gilmore Car Museum does a good job of this. My only focus here is to expand our audience reach and share the news that we are really doing great things.

What are you most looking forward to in getting started at GCM? Meeting new people. This looks like a great community filled with unique people full of different experiences.

Any additional thoughts that you would like to relay to the GCM community to help them get better acquainted with you?

I’m a family man with a love for lifelong learning. If you are not trying to stimulate your brain in some way then we have to have a talk. I want people to enjoy what they do and will go to extraordinary lengths to make someone smile.