2023 Board of directors
Lifelong learning requires real leadership
At Conner Prairie, every guest has the opportunity to pursue knowledge and fun in a way that is tailored to them. This pursuit requires strong, dedicated leadership. Our board of directors oversees operations and engages community members in supporting the museum. Conner Prairie thanks these individuals who contribute their time and expertise.
Conner Prairie Museum
The Conner Prairie Museum board of directors oversees operations and engages community members in supporting the museum.
Norman Burns
President and CEO, Conner Prairie Museum
Norman Burns, president and CEO of Conner Prairie is an entrepreneurial leader, museum, and non-profit management executive with a 36-year history of successfully developing innovative approaches and compelling visions for operating history and general museums. As the CEO and executive director of six different historic properties and general museums in Tennessee, Virginia and Indiana, Burns has developed nationally recognized-award winning exhibits, interpretive and educational programs, and innovative approaches and compelling visions for operating museums. He has served on various boards, and committees, and as an officer for cultural tourism agencies and museum organizations where he has been a presenter, moderator, and author. He is Past Chair of the American Association for State and Local History. Burns earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in history from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He and wife Sandy have three grown sons and five grandchildren living in Indiana, Virginia, and Massachusetts.
Steve Hageman
Chair, Conner Prairie Museum
Chairman of the Board, Hageman Group
Steve Hageman is Chairman of the Board for Hageman Group, having investments focused in Agriculture and Real Estate. Steve was a founding partner of Remington Seeds, which grew to become the nation's largest wholesale seed corn and soybean production, conditioning and distribution company. He continues to be involved in the family's legacy farming operation along with diversified commercial real estate investments in the Midwest. Steve serves in leadership positions for Boone and Crockett and the Farm Foundation, along with involvement with Purdue College of Agriculture and Indiana FFA Foundation. Steve and his wife Sandy have three children and six grandchildren and reside in Zionsville.
Brian Timmerman
Vice Chair, Conner Prairie Museum
Vice President, Corteva Agriscience
Brian Timmerman is the Vice President for Crop Protection portfolio acceleration for Corteva Agriscience. Brian has more than 20 years of experience with Corteva in sales, marketing, business services, and management. Brian earned his bachelor's degree in agronomy from The Ohio State University and his master's degree in business administration from Central Michigan University. Brian enjoys spending time with his family outdoors, playing sports, helping with church activities and getting out on the farm. Brian and his wife Mende reside in Westfield, Ind., with their three children.
Suzanne Gaidoo
Secretary, Conner Prairie Museum
Counsel, Roche Diagnostics Corporation
Suzanne Gaidoo has experience in areas of compliance, risk management, corporate transactions and commercial litigation. Suzanne serves on the St. Vincent Foundation board of directors and Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series advisory board. She has been recognized as an Indiana Super Lawyer Rising Star, and was a finalist in the legal category for Indy’s Best and Brightest. In 2019, she received the MSD Lawrence North High School Distinguished Alumni Award and is a NCAA Division 1 letter recipient in Track & Field.
Constance Brown
Treasurer
Civic Volunteer
Constance is a former executive in healthcare and health insurance with more than 20 years as the CFO of M Plan, Inc. (health insurance company) and Indiana University Health Plans, Inc. & related companies. She is a CPA who began her career with Ernst & Young specializing in healthcare. Constance currently serves on the board of Ivy Tech Community College Foundation (Governance Chair) and Marquette Retirement Living, Inc. (Treasurer, Chair, Finance Committee). She has been a past member/officer of the Boards of Director of the International School of Indiana, Easter Seals Crossroads Rehabilitation, Inc., Special Olympics and Girls Incorporated. Constance holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Accounting from Auburn University. She and her husband, Douglas have two sons, Robert (married to Ashley residing in Chicago) and Andrew, residing in Indianapolis.
Reggie Henderson
Immediate Past Chair, Conner Prairie Museum
Vice President and General Manager, Telamon Enterprise Ventures
Reggie Henderson is the vice president and general manager of Telamon Enterprise Ventures. He has more than 25 years of experience in executive management, government and international affairs. He currently serves as the second vice chair of the Vincennes University Board of Trustees, board member of the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest and a past member of the BMW Transatlantic Forum and BMW Young Leaders Forum. Henderson double majored in Economics and Political Science and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Reggie resides in Carmel.
Karen Arland
Conner Prairie Alliance
Partner at Kennedy Downs & Arland, PC
In addition to Karen’s role as a partner at Kennedy Downs & Arland, PC, Karen spends a great deal of her time serving the community. She is the 2023 president of the Conner Prairie Alliance, program co-director for St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild’s 2023 Decorator’s Showhouse, serves on the board of directors of Aviation Indiana and is a member of the Indiana Municipal Lawyers Association. She has previously served as the president of the Actors Theatre of Indiana, Inc. and a board member of the American Cabaret Theater. Karen and her husband, Dave, reside in Carmel.
Jessica Bastin
Director of Facilities, Anderson University
Jessica Bastin is County Engineer for Madison County, Indiana. She earned her bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, and is a registered professional engineer in the State of Indiana. Jessica and her family reside in Pendleton, where she is very involved in the community. She loves spending time outdoors with her family and working on her family's honey bee farm.
Doug Battaglia
Tax Partner at PwC
Doug Battaglia is a Tax Partner at PwC in its Private practice, where he works with privately-held and family-owned companies, their investors and shareholders on income tax matters. During his 20 years at PwC, Doug has provided federal, state and international tax planning, tax accounting and tax compliance services to both entities and individuals. Doug assists clients in several different industries and at all stages in their life cycle, including with acquisitions and divestitures. Doug earned his bachelor's degree at DePaul University and his master's degree at the University of Illinois. He and his family reside in Fishers.
Ryan Berry
Vice President of Business Development with Meyer Najem Construction
Ryan Berry is Vice President of Business Development with Meyer Najem Construction, Fishers and Jacksonville Florida’s premier contractor with 35 plus years delivering exceptional projects. Ryan works to grow Meyer Najems market share and maintains the reputation of Meyer Najem in the community. He has more than 20 years of experience in the construction industry after starting his career in Orlando, FL. Ryan serves on the board of directors for Connor Prairie, Fishers Lacrosse, Fishers YMCA(2018-2021), Indiana Society for Healthcare Engineers and various committees with the Hamilton County Leadership Academy and others. Ryan is a construction management graduate from Purdue University and has his master’s in business administration. Ryan has three active children and resides in Fishers with his wife Jill.
Marvin Blade
Vice President of Indiana Community Relations, Duke Energy
Marvin Blade is the vice president of Indiana Community Relations for Duke Energy, Indiana’s largest electric investor owned utility. He has more than 30 years of experience with Duke Energy in customer service, account management, economic development, and community relations. Marvin serves on the board of directors for Conner Prairie, Hendricks County Parks Foundation, Leadership Hendricks County and is a past board member of the Indianapolis Chamber. Marvin earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Indiana State University and a master’s in business administration from the University of Phoenix. He and his wife, Jerrie, reside in Plainfield.
Jessica Brand
Freelance Marketing Director
Jessica Brand is an accomplished freelance marketing director, responsible for revenue, profit, client and guest satisfaction. Her early experience as National Marketing Director for GE Capital built a strong understanding of business operations and the knack for creating innovative solutions that increase overall business performance. She has built a reputation for operational excellence, working with the highest level of integrity, and a deep passion for commitment to clients and guests.
Jessica has more than 35 years of leadership experience in multi-cultural environments. Active in her community for many years, Jessica serves on the Board of Directors at Peace Learning Center, Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors at Indianapolis Art Center, and a 13 year member of Circle City Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.
Jessica holds a BA from Siena College. A 23 year resident of Carmel, IN, Jessica resides with her husband Scott and their three children.
Melissa Caito
Chief Operating Officer, Indy Championships Fund
Melissa Caito has 30 years of experience in sports management and marketing working at the grassroots, collegiate, Olympic and professional levels. She has a bachelor's degree from Indiana University. Melissa works closely with the Indiana Sports Corp and also sits on the board of the Indiana State Museum. Melissa makes her home in Fishers.
Kip Chase
HR Leader, Lilly USA, LLC for Eli Lilly and Company
Kip Chase is the Global head of HR for Lilly Diabetes at Eli Lilly and Company. He has served in a variety of HR roles with Lilly since 2003, including living in Shanghai, China where he served as the HR leader for LRL China. Kip graduated from Wabash College, magna cum laude, with a degree in History. He earned his MBA from IU Kelley School of Business and Master of Global Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in 2009. Beginning in 2021, Kip will serve as the President of the Alumni Board of Directors at Wabash College and is a founding member for Random Acts of Flowers, a not-for-profit focused on bringing joy to patients and caregivers. Kip, his wife Nicole and three sons make their home in Indianapolis.
Christina Hale
Senior Leadership for the U.S. Small Business Administration
Christina Hale is an average person driven to—and successful in—making an exceptional difference. She worked her way through college as a single mother and served as a nonprofit executive for Kiwanis International in a variety of roles around the world. A former state legislator and the first Latina to run for statewide office in Indiana, Christina earned a reputation for bipartisanship and resolve. Christina was appointed by President Joe Biden and now serves in senior leadership for the U.S. Small Business Administration. She continues to advocate for people, justice, and democracy, and is the author of the Amazon bestselling book Why Not You? A Leadership Guide for the Change-Makers of Tomorrow.
Clint Hangebrauck
Director of Quality Control, National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA)
Clint Hangebrauck is the Director of Quality Control for the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA). He has more than 15 years of experience in managing risk, audit, quality and compliance functions. He is an emeritus member of the Conner Prairie Horizon Council and has previously served on the Board of the Avondale Meadows and Urban Missions YMCA. He is a graduate from the Purdue University Krannert School of Business. Clint, his wife Lindsey and their two children make their home in Carmel.
Ross Hendrickson
Co-founder and CEO, Bloomerang
Ross is the co-founder and CEO of Bloomerang, a software company in Indianapolis that provides a cloud-based donor management application rooted in principles of philanthropy. After graduating from Vanderbilt University with degrees in Economics and Engineering Science, Ross joined eTapestry and started his 10 year run of providing technology to enable fundraisers to be more successful. Since then, Ross has pursued creative solutions through software to make processes more efficient in the non-profit and healthcare markets. Ross has served on the Horizon Council, the young professionals leadership council of the Indianapolis-based nonprofit Conner Prairie. He lives with his wife and four children in Indianapolis, IN.
Leonard Hoops
President & CEO, Visit Indy
Leonard Hoops has served as President & CEO of Visit Indy since 2011. He leads a team of 50+ industry professionals charged with growing Central Indiana's economy by driving the region's $5.4 billion (pre-COVID) convention, tourism and event industry. Leonard has served his industry on the boards of the US Travel Association, the Professional Convention Management Association, and the Destinations International Foundation. In Indy, Hoops serves on the Capital Improvement Board of Marion County as well as the Boards of the Indy Chamber, Downtown Indy, the Indiana Sports Corp., the 2022 College Football Playoff Championship, and the 2024 NBA All-Star Game. He has been named an "Indiana Living Legend" by the Indiana Historical Society and one of the “25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry” by Successful Meetings magazine. Leonard earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from San Jose State University and an MBA from Santa Clara University. He and his wife, Dorene, have two children and live in downtown Indy.
Christine Johnson
Strategic Consulting
Christine Johnson was born and raised in Indianapolis. After attending DePaul University in Chicago, she returned to Indianapolis where she established her career. With over ten years of experience in strategic marketing and advertising, she now works with a variety of high-vision nonprofit and private sector clients, and has earned her MBA from Purdue Global University. She is dedicated to the Indianapolis community and is involved with several local nonprofit groups. Christine and her two children reside on the north side of Indianapolis
Kerry Keffaber, DVM
CEO of Prairie Systems
Kerry retired as Chief Veterinarian from Elanco in 2018. Since then, for United Animal Health, he has been Sr. VP of Research, VP of Product Management and now CEO of Prairie Systems, LLC a Precision Ag software division. Kerry is also on the Boards of LeeO, an animal digital data company and GenVax a startup creating next generation M-RNA vaccines for unmet animal health challenges. Kerry lives in Fishers with his wife of 45 years and has 3 children and 8 grandchildren and enjoys participating in his alma mater Purdue related activities.
Dave Kinard
Executive Vice President of Human Resources, Elanco Animal Health
Dave Kinard currently serves as executive vice president of human resources, corporate affairs and administration for Elanco Animal Health. He is responsible for creating an industry-leading workplace for employees across the globe. Prior to his current role, Kinard spent 21 years at Eli Lilly & Company, most recently as the vice president of human resources for Lilly International where he created valuable human resources programs in diverse geographies and business units. Kinard holds a bachelor's degree in social science and broadcast communications and a master's in organizational behavior from Brigham Young University. Dave and wife Heather are parents of four children They enjoy having 5 grandchildren and make their home in Fishers, IN.
Julia Church Kozicki
General Counsel for Sigma Kappa Sorority
Julia Church Kozicki is general counsel for Sigma Kappa Sorority. She is an alumna of Indiana University and Loyola University Chicago School of Law and a Jeopardy! champion. She previously served three terms on the Noblesville Schools Board of School Trustees and has served as dean and board president of the Hamilton County Leadership Academy. She is currently the First Vice District Governor for Lions Club District 25-D and the staff-parish chair for the Noblesville First United Methodist Church. She and her husband Jeff live in Noblesville and have two grown sons.
Naomi Kwang
Partner with Barnes & Thornburg
Naomi Kwang is a partner with Barnes & Thornburg, who practices in the areas of general corporate law, mergers and acquisitions and international business transactions. As a native of Singapore, Naomi is fluent in Mandarin and understands Asian business culture, which uniquely qualifies her to assist publicly listed and privately held Chinese and other Asian companies conducting business in the U.S. and U.S. companies seeking to do business in China and throughout Asia. In 2022, Naomi was recognized among The Best Lawyers in America’s Ones to Watch list. Beyond serving on the board for Conner Prairie, she is a board member for the Immigrant Welcome Center, and the immediate past chair and a board member of the America China Society of Indiana.
Deon Levingston
Regional Vice President, Radio One
Deon Levingston has been an influential and innovative advertising and broadcast radio and television executive for more than two decades managing some of the most successful radio stations in America. Levingston currently serves as a Regional Vice President for Radio One. Levingston previously served as the President of YMF Media. He currently serves on the boards of the Indianapolis Urban League and HARLEMWEEK. Levingston has previously been a board member of Indianapolis YMCA, The Little Red Door, Indianapolis Circle City Classic, Lawrence Township Schools Foundation, The Greater Harlem Chamber and Harlem YMCA. Levingston has numerous honors being named one of the Best Major Market General Managers by Radio Ink Magazine and a 40 Under Forty High Achiever by Network Journal Magazine. Levingston earned a bachelor’s degree in legal communications from Howard University in Washington, D.C. He and his wife reside in Indianapolis with their son and daughter.
Eric Lucas
CEO of MKSK
Eric is a landscape architect and urban designer with over 25 years of experience. As CEO at MKSK, he oversees the firm’s strategic direction, its design legacy, and two of its offices, in Indianapolis and Lafayette. Eric directs site-scale and city-scale projects for public and private clients throughout the US. His and the firm’s work focuses on addressing our cities’ most pressing issues and solving complex issues of economic, environmental, social, and cultural themes. Eric graduated from Purdue University (Bachelor’s) and Ball State University (Master’s) with degrees in landscape architecture. He, his wife, and daughter reside in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Graham Melendez
Director of Business Development and Outreach in the Division of Supplier Diversity at the Indiana Department of Administration
Graham was born in Cusco, Perú and arrived in the US at the age of eight. He moved to Indiana in 2007 after receiving a scholarship from the University of Evansville and graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor's in Psychology and a minor in Business Administration. Graham currently serves as the Director of Business Development and Outreach in the Division of Supplier Diversity at the Indiana Department of Administration. In addition to his professional experience, he currently serves on the Board of Directors at LifeJourney Church and Grassroot Projects as well as the Advisory Board at Healthy Families MCPHD and The Villages. In addition, he is a founding leader of "The 317" Meetup group and a faithful member of the Peruvian Association of Central Indiana (PACI). In October of 2020, Graham was nominated by community leaders and featured in the “Indianapolis Star” as one of the top 10 Latinx helping the city thrive.
Drew Miroff
Partner at Ice Miller
Drew Miroff is a partner at Ice Miller with over two decades of complex and high profile litigation and crisis/risk management experience. Drew’s litigation practice focuses on manufacturing/supply chain, products, business and land use. He received his Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Michigan in 1996, with high honors. In 1999, he earned his juris doctor, cum laude, from Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago, Illinois. In addition to his role on the Conner Prairie Board of Directors, Drew is, or previously was, actively involved in the leadership of Ice Miller, the Jewish Community Relations Council, Gary Brackett’s IMPACT Foundation, the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis, Dynamo F.C., the Indianapolis Bar Association and the Stacey Toran Foundation.
Clarence G. Newsome
Former President, National Underground Railroad Center
Clarence G. Newsome, Ph. D., is the former president of the National Underground Railroad Center in Cincinnati, OH. Prior to serving in that role he served as the president of Shaw University, Raleigh, NC, the dean of the Howard University School of Divinity, Washington, DC, and as a member of the Duke University Divinity School faculty, Durham, NC. Over the course of a career which spans more than forty years, he has provided leadership in both the national and international arenas of higher education. He has served as a consultant to the Liberian Minister of Education and established partnerships with colleges and universities in South Korea and China. His involvement with numerous boards and commissions include the Board of Theological Education in the United States and Canada where he was elected to the Executive Committee and the role of Secretary of the Corporation, and service on the White House Commission on HBCUs. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Levine Museum of the New South, Charlotte, NC. For the past fourteen years he has been appointed by the North Carolina State Legislature to the State Ethics Commission. He is an emeritus member of the Duke University Board of Trustees. In 2018 he was elected to the Board of Directors of the Duke Endowment. He is a recipient of the B.A., M. Div., and Ph. D. degrees from Duke University. He and his wife, also a Duke graduate, have two adult daughters and two granddaughters. The Newsomes reside in Mint Hill, NC.
Jane Niederberger
Executive Strategy Consultant, CoreTech Revolution
Jane Niederberger is the Executive Strategy Consultant with CoreTech Revolution. She works with clients in various areas of healthcare information technology to lead, transform, and streamline enterprise-wide restructuring and organizational change by collaborating with key internal and external stakeholders. Jane was previously a senior executive at Anthem and currently sits on a variety of boards. Jane received a bachelor’s degree in nutrition from Simmons College in Boston and a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Northeastern University. She and husband Mark make their home in Carmel and are the parents of two grown daughters.
Don Orr
President Emeritus (retired), United Animal Health
Don Orr is retired president emeritus of United Animal Health in Sheridan, Ind., having served as president and board director. Formerly vice president of nutrition and development, under his leadership, United Animal Health developed an RandD team of 17 PhD and 28 BS/MS technical members for swine and poultry research, enzyme and microbial nutrition. He led the company’s entry into the Asian feed market and global feed enzyme market. Don received his bachelor’s degree from Purdue University, master’s degree from Penn State University and PhD from Michigan State University. He has served as a founding board member of AgriNovus Indiana. A past chairman of American Feed Industry Association, he received AFIA’s highest honor, their 2016 Distinguished Service Award. Named a 2014 Fellow of American Society of Animal Science, Don also received the Indiana Lt. Governor’s 2015 AgriVision Award for his contributions to Indiana Agriculture. He and his wife Pam have two sons and four grandchildren, and live in Noblesville, Ind.
Greg Schahet
President & CFO of Schahet Hotels, LLC
Greg is President & CFO of Schahet Hotels, LLC, a hotel development, ownership and management company. He is also a Certified Public Accountant and a certified real estate principal in the state of Indiana. A graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, Greg continued his education at American University where he earned an MBA as a Graduate Assistant and Dean’s Leadership Fellow.
Greg is a member of the IU Health AAHC Philanthropy Council and served as fundraising committee chairman for Rev Indy for 2017 - 2023. Greg is past treasurer of the Bureau of Jewish Education and currently serves as a board member of the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis, where he previously co-chaired its young leadership division and its Budget and Allocations Committee.
Rebecca Shrum
Associate Professor of History and Associate Director of Public History Program, IUPUI
Rebecca Shrum is an Associate Professor of History at IUPUI and Director of IUPUI’s Public History program. Before IUPUI, she directed an undergraduate public history program at the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater. Rebecca is the author of several books. She is an active member of the National Council on Public History and the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH), and is the Book Series Editor for the AASLH Series with Rowman and Littlefield Publishers. Rebecca and her family make their home in Indianapolis.
Chris Simpkins
Conner Prairie Horizon Council
Attorney at Christie Farrell Lee & Bell
Chris is an attorney at Christie Farrell Lee & Bell, a highly respected personal injury firm in Indianapolis, where he represents injured patients in medical malpractice actions. He also serves as President of the Horizon Council, which is a young professional organization that promotes Conner Prairie and hosts a local beer festival (“History on Tap”) to raise funds for the organization. Chris is a 2009 graduate of Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law and a 2005 graduate of Ohio University. He lives in Indianapolis with his wife and two daughters, where he enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time with his family.
Denny Sponsel
CEO and Owner, RJE Business Interiors
Denny Sponsel is CEO and owner of RJE Business Interiors. While he may have spent the last 40 years improving workplace design, his true passion lies in providing RJE’s clients with the best possible customer experience. Outside of RJE, Denny has spent his life dedicated to improving Indianapolis. He has served with multiple organizations including, United Way of Central Indiana, IUPUI board of advisors, Indiana Historical Society, Downtown Indy, Inc., Rotary Club of Indianapolis, Girl Scouts of Central Indiana and Marian University. Denny has received the IUPUI Spirit of Philanthropy Award, Rotary Paul Harris Fellow, IU Partners in Philanthropy Keystone Award and IU Foundation President’s Award. Denny and his wife Cathy have four children and ten grandchildren and make their home in Bargersville.
Selina Stoller
Business Development Executive for Concord Servicing
Selina Stoller is the Northwest representative on the Fishers City Council. Additionally, she is a business development executive with Concord Servicing. She has over 20 years of experience working in the capital markets. Her passion for finance and sales has driven her to structure and negotiate asset transactions, strengthen revenue generation and deepen market penetration. With the combination of being an elected official and business executive, Stoller has contributed to finance committees, planning committees, advocated for people with disabilities and enjoys giving back to the community. She has a bachelor's degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Purdue University and an MBA from Western Governors University.
Jon Stolz
Managing Vice President of Christopher B. Burke Engineering, LLC
Jon Stolz is the managing vice president of Christopher B. Burke Engineering, LLC. Over his career, Jon has been the principal engineer for hundreds of drainage, flood management and environmental projects. He graduated from the University of Illinois and is a registered professional engineer in 6 states. Jon is active in multiple professional organizations, having served as the American Society of Civil Engineers Indiana state section president and as a board member for the American Council of Engineering Companies. Jon enjoys spending his free time outdoors hiking or on the water with his wife Susan and three grown children.
Megan Wiles
Executive Director of Riverview Health Foundation
Megan is the Executive Director of Riverview Health Foundation where she works with the Board of Directors and community members to raise charitable dollars for the benefit of patients and their families. Megan is also serving in her second term as a member of the Noblesville Common Council where she is currently serving as President of the Council. Megan has recently been appointed by Mayor Chris Jensen as co-chair of the Noblesville Bicentennial Committee. Megan graduated from Noblesville High School and Ball State University. She and her husband Greg have two children, Garrett and Grace, and are members of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church. She is a graduate of the Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series and Hamilton County Leadership Academy and has been involved with the Conner Prairie Alliance for 15 years.
Whitney E. Wolf
Owner of Wolf & Co. Exposition Solutions
Whitney has spent over 20 years in the hospitality and tourism industry. She is the owner of Wolf & Co. Exposition Solutions where she provides general contracting services to conventions, tradeshows and sporting events. Whitney also serves as an adjunct at IUPUI in the Tourism, Event and Sport Management department. She has been involved with the Boys and Girls Club of Indianapolis as an advisory board member; a member of Kiwanis Club of Indianapolis, and community advocate for CHIP (Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention). Whitney and her five year old son, Grant, reside in Zionsville.
Conner Prairie Foundation
The Conner Prairie Foundation board of directors oversees the management of the museum's endowment and the land and structures of the museum including the William Conner House.
J. Chris Cooke
Chair, Conner Prairie Foundation
Partner, Senior Institutional Consultant, Cooke Financial Group at Noyes
J. Chris Cooke, Partner at the Cooke Financial Group, regularly rates among the top 5 investment advisors in Indiana. Chris also co-founded Sanctuary Wealth and sits on the Sanctuary Wealth BOD. Chris's professional investment guidance and high level personal service to his clients dates from 1990 to the present. His credentials include being a non-practicing CPA, non-practicing attorney and a Certified Investment Management Advisor (CIMA). Chris graduated from the University of Notre Dame (BBA - Accounting), and Indiana University Law School-Indianapolis (JD). Chris serves on the Ascension St. Vincent Carmel/Fishers Hospital BOD, and belongs to Holy Spirit at Geist Catholic Church. Cooke has served as past chair of the Conner Prairie Museum BOD and currently serves as chair of the Conner Prairie Foundation board of directors. Chris and his wife Elizabeth have three children and reside in Fishers.
William G. Batt
Vice Chair, Conner Prairie Foundation
Director, Executive Vice President and Trust Officer (retired), First of America Bank
William G. Batt is the retired director, executive vice president and trust officer of First of America Bank (now part of PNC) in Indianapolis. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College and both the Thayer School of Engineering and Tuck School of Business graduate schools. He serves as a member and past president of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis and past district governor of Rotary International in central Indiana. He is a past president and director of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir. He is a winner of the Arts Council of Indianapolis ARTI Award for outstanding contributions to the arts. He has served as past board member of the Conner Prairie Museum, Indianapolis Civic Theatre, Community Hospitals Foundation and Earlham College Foundation. He and wife Martha Sue, who are both active in the media ministry outreach of Tabernacle Presbyterian Church and Faith Church, have two grown children and two grandchildren.
Rita McCluskey
CFP, Senior VP of McCluskey Group, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
Rita McCluskey, CFP®, Senior Vice President, McCluskey Group, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management has been in the financial services industry since 1990. She joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 1993. She is the senior member of the McCluskey Group. Her focus is on helping clients develop potential solutions and providing investment guidance for individuals, their families and their businesses by understanding their short-and-long term financial objectives. Rita is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certificate and is a graduate of Marian University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She lives in Brownsburg with her three children.
Jay Ricker
Treasurer, Conner Prairie Foundation
Chairman, Ricker Holdings
Jay Ricker is Chairman of Ricker Holdings. He is past chair of the National Association of Convenience Stores and the BP Amoco Marketers Association. He is chair of the Fuel Institute in Alexandria, Va. Ricker earned a bachelor's degree from the Krannert School at Purdue University. He is or has been active in a number of community groups, including Community Hospital of Anderson and the Salvation Army Indiana Division. He and his wife Nancy have two adult children.
Kevin Schmidt
Secretary, Conner Prairie Foundation
Vice President/Investments, Stifel
Kevin W. Schmidt is Vice President/Investments with Stifel. Schmidt is affiliated with board service for The Villages of Indiana, Habitat for Humanity of Boone County and is an active member of the Zionsville Presbyterian Church. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Greenville College in Greenville, Ill. He resides in Zionsville with his wife Melissa. He has five grown children and six grandchildren.
Jerry Semler
Chairman Emeritus, American United Life Insurance Company
Jerry D. Semler is chairman emeritus of American United Mutual Insurance Holding Company, parent of OneAmerica Financial Partners, Inc. Semler was elected company president in 1980, CEO in 1989, and chairman in 1991. Following his retirement as chairman, president, and CEO, Semler was elected chairman emeritus in February 2007, and retired from the Board of Directors after 51+ years of service. Active in numerous business and civic organizations, Semler currently serves as co-chairman of Sagamore Institute for Policy Research, and chairman of the Indiana Historical Society. He serves on the boards of Visit Indy (past chairman), Center for Leadership Development (past chairman), Indiana Chamber of Commerce (past chairman), Indianapolis Downtown Inc. (past chairman), 500 Festival Foundation (past chairman), Indiana Repertory Theatre (past president), Conner Prairie Museum, Cornea Research Foundation of America, Hoosier Salon Patrons, United Way of Central Indiana, Riley Children’s Foundation (Board of Governors) and is a trustee of Marian University. Jerry received a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and completed the business executive program at Stanford University. He and his wife Rosie have raised 7 children, and have 28 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren.
Rich Thrapp
Partner, Ice Miller
Rich Thrapp is a partner at Ice Miller. He was appointed to serve on the Indiana Business Law Survey Commission and elected as its chairman in 2006 and served in that role until 2016. He was a member of the drafting committee for Indiana's Limited Liability Company Act and served on the drafting committee for the Indiana Nonprofit Corporation Act. Thrapp serves on the boards of the Indianapolis Zoo, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, and the Oakwood Foundation, and was a Charter Member of the Keystone Society of the Indiana Bar Foundation. Thrapp received the Sagamore of the Wabash award in 2016. He earned a bachelor’s degree from DePauw University and earned his juris doctor from Indiana University School of Law. He and wife, Linda, reside in Indianapolis.
Directors Emeriti
Douglas D. (Doug) Church
Senior Partner, Church Church Hittle and Antrim
Doug Church is the senior partner in the Church Church Hittle and Antrim law firm and has served as a member of the Conner Prairie Museum and Conner Prairie Foundation boards of director. He has been active in professional associations having served as president of the Indiana State Bar Association and president of the Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum. He and his wife, Kathy, reside in Noblesville and are the parents of two children and the grandparents of four.
Berkley Duck
Managing Partner (retired), Ice Miller
Berkley Duck retired from Ice Miller, an Indianapolis- based law firm, in 2001, at which time he was one of the firm’s managing partners. He joined the Conner Prairie board of directors in 1996 and was its chairman at the time of the board’s removal by Earlham College in June 2003. As chairman of the advocacy group Save the Prairie, Inc., Berkley led the effort in support of Conner Prairie’s independence from Earlham. Following independence in 2006, he served as the chairman of the board of directors of both the museum and Conner Prairie Foundation. Berkley has also served as the board chair of the Indiana Repertory Theatre and Crown Hill Cemetery, as well as Fishtown Preservation Society and the Leland Township Public Library in Leland, Michigan, where he and his wife, Nancy, now reside. He is a graduate of Brown University and Harvard Law School.
Stan Hurt
Chairman (retired), Indiana Supply Corporation
Stan Hurt graduated from Indiana University with a BS degree in Business in 1961. He immediately joined the US Navy, retiring from the Navy Reserve in 1975 with the rank of LtCdr. His business career started with Indiana Supply Corp. in 1965 and he retired in 1995 as its Chairman. He began his Arts career with the Broad Ripple Art Center, becoming its Chairman. He followed with Chairmanships of the Eiteljorg Museum, Conner Prairie, the Arts Council of Indianapolis, and President of the Downtown Rotary Foundation. Stan has served on the Boards of the President Benjamin Harrison Site, the Crossroads Boy Scout Council, the Carmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Songbook Foundation, the Carmel Symphony Orchestra, and the Indiana Historical Society. He lives with his wife, Sandy, in Carmel.
Jay Ricker
Chairman, Ricker Holdings
Jay Ricker is Chairman of Ricker Holdings. He is past chair of the National Association of Convenience Stores and the BP Amoco Marketers Association. He is chair of the Fuel Institute in Alexandria, Va. Ricker earned a bachelor's degree from the Krannert School at Purdue University. He is or has been active in a number of community groups, including Community Hospital of Anderson and the Salvation Army Indiana Division. He and his wife Nancy have two adult children.
In Memoriam
1936 - 2023
Pat Garrett Rooney
Former Conner Prairie Interim Executive Director
Pat Garrett Rooney joined the Conner Prairie "family" in the 1970s as a volunteer teacher in the old trader's cabin, located now in the Lenape Village. She remained connected to Conner Prairie as a friend when she was appointed as the interim executive director position in the late 1980s. When John Herbst became president, she joined the board of directors, serving three terms on various committees. As a current enthusiastic supporter, she cherishes that three generations have been involved with Conner Prairie. Her daughter was an employee at one time and continues as a member of the Conner Prairie Alliance and her granddaughter was a youth interpreter and staff member.