Stephen Humphreys, BA, MTh, MA, PhD, RPA
CEO
Stephen co-founded AVAR in 2016 and has served as CEO since that time. He is the PI of the AVAR Conflict Archaeology School-Camden and Finding Medina Projects, has directed fieldwork on numerous Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency recoveries, and serves on the Advisory Board of the Center for Integrative Research in Conflict Archaeology. He is a National Geographic Explorer with experience digging and directing projects in Israel, Jordan, Cyprus, the United Kingdom, Sicily, and the USA.
Stephen holds a Ph.D. in archaeology from Durham University as well as an MA in Archaeology and Biblical Studies and an MA in Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Prior to his graduate studies he was a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force, deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Mackenze Burkhart, BA, RA
operations manager
Mackenze Burkhart is a Registered Archaeologist (RA) with a BA in Archaeology and Anthropology from Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA. She is currently pursuing her MA in Archaeology and Heritage from the University of Leicester.
In support of her position as Operations Manager, Mackenze has completed several certificates, including Working with Veterans and Their Families, Advanced Metal Detection, and the DPAA Academy Partner Orientation. Mackenze is an instructor for Advanced Metal Detecting for the Archaeologist (AMDA). She has a current Mental Health First Aid certification and is a Wilderness First Responder.
As of Spring 2025, she has executed the project planning and logistics for sixteen AVAR projects, six of which were international. She most recently served as the Field Director for the third season of the Finding Medina battlefield project and the metal detection survey portion of the AVAR Conflict Archaeology School in Camden, SC.
Alexis Duggan, BA, MS, CRC, LPC, Ed.d.
Mental Health Clinician
Alexis Duggan has a BA in Special Education from the University of North Florida and an M.S. in Counselor Education from Florida International University. Alexis previously worked as the Student Disability Services Director at Texas A&M University Commerce, where she also completed her doctoral degree in higher education. As a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Alexis looks forward to collaborating with you!
Her love for individuals with disabilities started as a Special Education teacher where she served students with varying disabilities for five years. In 2019 she transitioned into Vocational Rehabilitation where she worked to assist adults and adolescents with disabilities gain independent living resources, reach their career aspirations, and increase their overall mental health. As a current Licensed Professional Counselor, Alexis has gained a new love for veterans and archaeology and has completed both international and domestic digs with AVAR.