Peoria Riverfront Museum Announces New Board Officers, Directors for 2026-27
PEORIA, Ill., July 6, 2026—The Board of Directors of the Peoria Riverfront Museum, a private 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, elected its slate of officers and members at its annual meeting, effective in the museum's new fiscal year, July 1, 2026.
Derek Schryer, JD, attorney and partner at Davis and Campbell LLC, was elected chairman of the board. Schryer is joined on the executive committee by Sid Ruckriegel, owner of SERVUS/entrepreneur and philanthropist was elected vice chairman; Karen Jensen, PE, president and CEO of Farnsworth Group, who was re-elected treasurer; and Gretchen Petrakis, community philanthropist, newly elected to the position of secretary; Jason Fark, member of the finance committee; Josh Swank, chair of the collections committee; and Allison Unkovich, chair of the events committee.
Newly elected to the board of directors are Alex Crowley, Chief Client Officer at Vonachen Group; Kim Russo, CEO of OSF HealthCare’s Central Region; Associate Judge Katherine Legge of Tazewell County; and Dr. Meenakshy Aiyer, Regional Dean of the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria.
Reelected are board directors Aaron Kilgore, Jason Fark, and Dr. Keith Knepp, MD. They rejoin board members Dr. Derrick Booth, Eric Heard, Kathy Ma, Dr. Sheila Quirk-Bailey, Dr. Chris Reynolds, Josh Swank, Rob Temple, Alison Cullinan Unkovich, Seth Uphoff, Dr. Sarah Zallek, MD, and board emerita Sally Snyder.
Former board members completing the maximum nine years of service are immediate past chairman Todd Baker, past chairman Steve Jackson, past board vice chairman, secretary and treasurer Brian Ray and Gregory Gerontes.
The Board committees include: Audit, Collections, Development, Education and Engagement, Finance, and Nominating.
The independently incorporated Peoria Riverfront Museum Foundation Board, which oversees the 17 million dollar endowment fund, is appointed by the board of the Peoria Riverfront Museum. Serving on the foundation board are Sid Banwart, Jim Beard, Patricia Cutilletta, Kevin Colgan, Mary Etrick, Bill Heidrich, Katie McCord Jenkins, Nancy Snowden, Doug Stewart, and newly elected board member Andrew Rand. Immediate past chair Marci Shoff is stepping off the board after nine years of service.
The Peoria Riverfront Museum President and CEO also appoints advisory councils, including the President’s Advisory Council, chaired by Ray LaHood, National Associates, chaired by Bon French, Giant Screen Theater, chaired by Dr. Darrel Gumm, the Dome Planetarium, chaired by Jim Beard, Every Student Initiative chaired by Sally Snyder, Peoria Falcon Circle, chaired by Zan Ransburg, MUSEUM+ Performance, chaired by Linda Washkuhn-Sutkowski, Folk Art and Decoys, chaired by Randy Root, Bronzeville to Harlem, chaired by Ron Givens, Fine Arts, chaired by Bill Heidrich, Science and Technology, chaired by Mike Rucker, History and Achievement, and Digital Engagement Advisory Council, chaired by Lisa Gates, and an ad hoc advisory council for our upcoming observance of 9/11's 25th anniversary, chaired by Andrew Rand.
The museum welcomes these distinguished community leaders as it continues to advance its mission to unleash the full talent and genius of every individual.
For more information, visit peoriariverfrontmuseum.org.
About Peoria Riverfront Museum
The Peoria Riverfront Museum is the only multidisciplinary institution of its kind in the nation, combining art, science, history, and achievement. The museum is dedicated to using its collections, exhibitions, giant screen theater, dome planetarium, and programming to tell the stories that build confidence, spark life-long learning, and unleash the full talent and genius of every individual. Learn more at riverfrontmuseum.org.
Contact Melody Konrad, Peoria Riverfront Museum assistant director of marketing and communications at MKonrad@peoriariverfrontmuseum.org
