About Us
Board of Directors
Jan P. Donelson, Chair
Architect, Timberland Design
Jan joined the Lewis & Clark Discovery Corps portraying Captain Meriwether Lewis in fall, 2003. He has enjoyed sharing his knowledge and the opportunity to educate others about the life and times of our American heritage. He treasured the opportunity to be with the Corps on the trail, on mission, teaching and sharing the Lewis & Clark experience. Jan has been instrumental in executing the Eastern Legacy and negotiating several key opportunities to showcase our fleet in films and television productions.
Steven J. Meyer, P.E., Vice Chair
Civil Engineer
Steve joined the Lewis & Clark Discovery Corps portraying Private Peter Weiser and later Sergeant Patrick Gass in 2004. He is a civil engineer in mid-Missouri. Steven traveled the trail with the Corps during the Bicentennial, sharing and creating memories and developing a multitude of friendships. Sharing history with the public has been a “once in a lifetime thrill.”
Tom Ronk, Executive Director-Re-Enactment
Retired Forester, Missouri Department of Conservation
Tom’s career as a Forester with the Missouri Department of Conservation spanned 32 years. He joined the Lewis & Clark Discovery Corps as Private William Bratton due to the enthusiasm of the Corps’ leadership and dedication to the Lewis & Clark historical re-enactment. Tom grew up along the Missouri River in Iowa and as a dugout canoe maker and pilot, he specializes in “working” dugout canoes as described in the L&C Journals. Tom has logged over 700 miles on the Missouri River from Three Forks, Montana to St. Louis, Missouri in dugouts. He has been Phase leader of several re-enactments and encampments along the trail and was instrumental in orchestrating and participating in filming projects featuring the Keelboat and pirogues.
Robert Learned, Jr., Executive Director-Museum
Building and Gift Shop Manager, Lewis & Clark Boat House and Museum
Bob joined the Lewis & Clark Discovery Corps after attending Lewis & Clark Heritage Days in St. Charles, Missouri in 1999. He enjoyed greeting visitors and teaching Lewis and Clark history to the public visiting the camps and boats while traveling with the Corps on many re-enactment trips. Having served in the US Army in Germany and with his background as traveling photographer for CPI Corp. (Sears Portrait Studio), Bob brings great creativity and knowledge of military history to the organization. He has worked as General Manager for the Museum for over 12 years.
Arthur Day, Treasurer
Arthur spent many years working in the highway and residential construction field as a construction manager. He now works with his wife crafting custom stained glass in St. Charles, Missouri. Arthur is a Prince Hall Freemason and has served as Worshipful Master for Albert Holman Lodge #179 since 2015. He has also serves as District Secretary for the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge 1st Masonic district. Arthur is married to Julie Bishop-Day, daughter of Glen and Joanne Bishop. He became interested in the Lewis & Clark Expedition while watching Glen build the first Keelboat in Glen and Joanne’s yard on Morgan Street. Arthur was also on the Lewis & Clark Heritage Days Planning Board after Glen’s death.
Nancy Jackson, Secretary
Realtor, BHHS Alliance Real Estate
As a native of St. Louis, Nancy has always had a keen interest in history and Jefferson’s Louisiana Purchase. Nancy’s interest in St. Charles, Missouri and Lewis & Clark began in high school. With a MBA and Masters in Marketing, Nancy has served on several non-profit boards and chaired numerous fundraising events. She continues to chair events for the Museum and actively promotes the facility and living history activities.
Bill Brecht, Director-Museum
Executive Director, Lewis & Clark Boat House and Museum
Bill taught Earth Science at Jefferson Junior High/Middle School in St. Charles, Missouri for 30 years. Shortly after retirement, he worked part-time at the Lewis & Clark Museum teaching classes and manning the shop. Several years after moving to the Museum’s new facility, Bill became the Executive Director. For the last 30 years, Bill has had an interest in historical re-enactment, mostly from the American Revolution to the War of 1812. He first participated in the Lewis & Clark Heritage Days in 1986 and has been on the event’s planning board since 1991.
Phil Hesley, Director
Retired, Stifel Nicholas
Phil retired from Stifel Nicholas in 2013. He has a MBA from St. Louis University in
Finance. He has been very active in Boy Scouts as an Eagle Scout, Cubmaster and
Committee Chairman and District Committee Representative. As an avid history buff since high school, Phil eagerly joined the Board and often participates in re-enactments showcasing his blacksmithing skills. Phil also enjoys the outdoors, hiking, fishing, and golf.
Darold Jackson, Director
Retired Director of MIS, Monsanto
Over 30 years ago, Darold and his wife, Mimi, started the Lewis & Clark Museum and became active in the Lewis & Clark Trail Heritage Foundation. While developing the museum, Darold and Mimi got to know and work with Glen and Joanne Bishop, who started the Lewis & Clark Discovery Expedition of St. Charles, Missouri. Starting in 2001, they joined forces to build a new facility and create one non-profit organization. Darold spent a great deal of time on building the new facility, raising funds for re-enactment, grant writing, and managing the organization’s finances. He is recently retired as Board Treasurer, but continues to work in the Museum shop.
Mimi Jackson, Director
Former Executive Director and Founder, Lewis & Clark Boat House and Museum
Mimi started the Lewis & Clark Museum in 1985. While developing the museum, she and her husband, Darold, got to know and work with Glen and Joanne Bishop, who started the Lewis & Clark Discovery Expedition of St. Charles, Missouri. Starting in 2001, they joined forces to build a new facility and create one non-profit organization. Mimi gifted the exhibits from the old museum to the new facility and spearheaded the efforts to significantly expand the exhibits and programs. She also led the development of the classes and programs in the newly enlarged classroom to accommodate the growing number of school classes, scout groups and tour groups. Prior to her interest in Lewis & Clark, Mimi developed and taught classes at the Museum of Science and Natural History, the Museum of Art & History in Brussels, Belgium, and the Missouri Botanical Garden. She has received numerous awards, including the Sacagawea Award. She served as the Executive Director for the new facility, and continues to teach classes and work in the Museum shop.
Larry Kluesner, Director
Retired Engineer, Nestle Corporation
Larry’s involvement began as ground support at Camp Du Bois and maintenance on the boats. He then joined the crew as Private John Potts as they moved up the Missouri River. This was the first time Larry had been on the “Muddy Missouri”, so in addition to re-enacting, he was also exploring as Lewis and Clark once did. Larry served as Chair of the Board for two terms, has been actively involved in recruitment and fundraising and has chaired several events. He has been instrumental in the negotiations for numerous living history appearances and boat participation in filming projects. He has led maintenance efforts on the boats and continues to volunteer at the Boat House on countless projects.
Craig Osterberg, Director
Retired Technician, IKON Office Solutions
Craig’s interest in Lewis & Clark began at a presentation member Walter Gotsch gave at the 1904 World’s Fair Society. After visiting the Lewis & Clark encampment in Forest Park in St. Louis, Missouri, Craig joined the re-enactors portraying an Engage, Paul Primeau. He has been instrumental in boat operations, maintenance and repairs and his carpentry skills are unrivaled. He completed the entire Eastern Legacy re-enactment and has participated in several appearances, encampments and presentations throughout the years. He has both educated and entertained hundreds of children and visitors with his rope-making demonstrations. Craig regularly professes he, “Joined to play with boats but stayed for the history we impart on children.”
Sue Schneider, Director
Sue has been involved with the keelboat project since its inception when Glen Bishop built the first one in 1992. She has a varied history ranging from running a non-profit youth agency to owning a business which organized conferences and trade shows for the gambling industry. She is a seasoned writer/editor and has authored a book, “Old St. Charles”, which details the town’s history and focuses on a walking tour of Main Street. She served in a public relations role before and during the Bicentennial Celebrations and has been a member of the board for many years.
Christine Vancil, Director
Marketing Director, Alternative Behavioral Care
Christine has been a Certified Fundraising Executive for 16 years and has over 25 years of experience working for non-profit organizations providing expertise in fundraising, event planning, marketing, IT and management functions. Christine’s fundraising and marketing acumen is evident from working directly with several Boards of Directors for non-profit organizations. She has chaired several fundraising events for the Museum and chairs the Marketing and Communication Committee as well as the Development Committee.
Tom Young, Director
General Manager, Kingdom Telephone Company
Tom joined the Lewis & Clark Discovery Corps as Private Silas Goodrich. Relishing the Bicentennial as an adventure of a lifetime, he still enjoys sharing experiences with school children, clubs and anyone who is interested! He and his wife, Joy, have been extremely helpful in inventorying and managing the Corps’ uniforms and period clothing.
Advisory Board
Joanne Bishop
Retired Teacher and Shop Associate, Lewis & Clark Boat House and Museum
Joanne has been an active resident and shop owner in St. Charles, Missouri. She first became involved when the Lewis & Clark Rendezvous was being established as a St. Charles event. After a casual conversation with St. Charles Main Street friends, Joanne and her husband, Glen Bishop, decided to build a keel boat for St. Charles. Boat building and Lewis & Clark soon became their lives. They built not one but 2 keel boats that participated in many re-enactments and river trips. Before retiring, Joanne worked at the Museum for over a decade, often with her Newfoundland dog, Lady.
Norm Bowers
Owner, Eagle Stamp and Coin
Norm is a retired officer who spent several years in the US Army Special Operations. He now operates a stamp, coin and jewelry store. He joined the Lewis & Clark Discovery Corps as Sergeant Nathaniel H. Pryor and served as an assistant planner, coordinator, budget officer, fundraiser, and scheduler during the Bicentennial. He has been Phase leader for several re-enactments and encampments and also served as Executive Director Re-enactment. Norm has given numerous programs to school groups, clubs and small communities on various aspects of the Lewis & Clark Expedition and continues to lead several events including the 4th of July Parade and Lewis & Clark Holiday Party.
