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Women's Suffrage Museum Events & Cultural Center

Mission statement for Suffrage Coalition Inc.’s Project: Women’s Suffrage Museum – Events & Culture Center - Locate and preserve the epic history of the movement that brought democracy to the other half of our citizens. Use accurate, immersive storytelling to inspire future generations to value their rights and faithfully perform their duties as citizens.

Debbie Coplen

Debbie Coplen

Executive Project Director

Westgate Entertainment, LLC

  • From 1980 to 1986, Debbie worked in the Loan Department at Sevier County Bank in Sevierville, TN, where she was responsible for maintaining loan documentation, ensuring regulatory compliance, and balancing the bank’s loan portfolio and loan vault. Working directly under the bank President, she also managed schedules and audits, gaining a strong foundation in finance, compliance, and organizational oversight.

    In 1986, Debbie and her husband founded Coplen Investment, LLC, a diversified company encompassing residential and commercial land development, a construction firm, property rentals, and storage facilities. Over more than two decades, she managed all aspects of business operations, including development, licensing and compliance, financial management, staff oversight and client relations. In addition, she managed rental properties and storage facilities, developing expertise in real estate, property management, and long-term asset growth.

 

Since 2010, Debbie has been part of Westgate Entertainment, LLC / Titanic Museum Attractions, working directly with the owners John Joslyn and Mary Kellogg Joslyn. In this role, she manages office staff and operations, coordinates corporate leadership and site operations, and is involved in executive decision-making. Her responsibilities include:

  • Acting as a strategic advisor to ownership and ensuring executive priorities are executed.
  • Coordinating cross-departmental initiatives and improving operational efficiency.
  • Managing special projects and aligning resources to meet organizational goals.
  • Serving as liaison between leadership and staff to ensure clear communication.
  • Preparing executive briefings, reports, and materials to support decision-making.
  • Anticipating challenges and helping leadership navigate complex or sensitive issues.
  • Supporting company culture and staff development by aligning values with operations.
  • Serving as Project Manager for new business development and construction projects, overseeing timelines, compliance, and vendor coordination while maintaining strict budget controls.

Most recently, Debbie successfully managed the Titanic Custard and Chocolate Attraction project from concept, design, and construction through opening. This $8 million project was completed on time and on budget, showcasing her ability to lead large-scale initiatives with precision, accountability, and financial discipline.

Throughout her career, Debbie has been recognized for her organizational skills, financial expertise, and ability to bridge leadership with operations to ensure efficiency, compliance, and long-term growth.

Personal & Community Leadership

Beyond her professional career, Debbie has been deeply involved in education and community advocacy. From 1997 to 2011, she served as President of the Parents Association at Northview Academy, where she actively engaged in local politics and initiatives to expand educational opportunities in rural areas. Her passion for education was driven by the challenges she faced in seeking the best learning environment for her son.

Her dedication to education not only benefited the community but also contributed to her son’s academic journey. Taylor Coplen went on to attend the University of Chicago for his undergraduate studies, earned his master’s degree at Hong Kong University, and completed his Ph.D. at Harvard University.