SACRAMENTO, Calif. (February 9, 2022) – The California State Railroad Museum Foundation has named Tim Schroepfer as President & CEO, effective immediately. The Foundation works in collaboration with and provides fundraising support for the California State Railroad Museum located in Old Sacramento State Historic Park and Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown. Schroepfer was first hired by the Foundation in 2019 as Director of Events & Marketing then assumed the role of Interim Chief Operating Officer in 2021 before his recent promotion to President & CEO. Schroepfer replaces Cheryl Marcell who left the Foundation in 2021.
“Tim demonstrated his leadership prowess as our Chief Operating Officer and earned the right to step in as President and CEO,” said Jim Houpt, Chair of the California State Railroad Museum Foundation Board of Directors. “Even as the pandemic still ruled much or our lives, Tim engineered the return of a sold-out Polar Express train after a two-year hiatus and quickly mastered the demands of running a fundraising and support organization for a world-class museum. Our board of directors expressed unanimous support for Tim’s advancement to his new role.”
In his multi-faceted new role as President & CEO, Schroepfer will manage a staff of 26, oversee fundraising, sponsorship, and membership efforts, drive all marketing, social media, and public relations initiatives, and direct the production of the Foundation’s high profile community events and activations.
A natural train enthusiast, Schroepfer was born and raised in Sacramento and was a frequent visitor and member of the Museum prior to moving away from the area. Said Schroepfer, “With the Museum entering its 41st year, and Railtown entering its 51st year as a tourist railway, it is an incredibly exciting time to be with the Foundation. It is an absolute honor and privilege to return home and help support our Parks partners.”
Schroepfer has an impressive background in management and the orchestration of large-scale event and theatrical productions for prestigious organizations across the country. Before joining the California State Railroad Museum Foundation, Schroepfer worked as Director of Production & Preservation for Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Prior to that, he worked as Director of Production for Utah Shakespeare Festival at Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah and as Production Manager for the University California at Los Angeles, School of Theater, Film and Television. Schroepfer earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Musical Theater from University of Stockton (UOP), a Master of Fine Arts in Producing from the California Institute of the Arts, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst Isenberg School of Management.
“As the Foundation moves toward the new normal, Tim has provided the passion and direction to re-engage our membership through operations and events,” added Thomas Gilbert, Past Chair of the California State Railroad Museum Foundation. “He's the right person at the right time.”
Schroepfer is civic minded and involved in a variety of community organizations and causes, including as Cub Master for Cub Scouts Pack 118 and as an active participant in the Leadership Sacramento Class of 21. Schroepfer is a resident of Elk Grove where he resides with his wife Erica and two active young boys.
About the California State Railroad Museum Foundation
The mission of the California State Railroad Museum Foundation (CSRMF) is to generate revenue and awareness on behalf of its destinations, while supporting the preservation, interpretation, and promotion of our railroad heritage. The Foundation provides funding for ongoing support of numerous programs, both at the museum's Old Sacramento location and at the historic park in Jamestown, Calif. For more information, please visit www.californiarailroad.museum.
Media Contact:
Traci Rockefeller Cusack, 916-213-4373, [email protected], T-Rock Communications