Meet the Team
Get to know the team at Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66
Staff
Ron Romero
CEO / FounderRon Romero is the Founder, CEO, and Board Chairman of the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66, a cultural...
Alice Nichols
Director of OperationsAlice Nichols joined the museum as Director of Operations after a 35-year career in technology sales and consulting where she...
Christine Johnson
Member Services ManagerChristine Johnson brings her experience of museum services to the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 as Member...
Heather Bigeck
CuratorHeather comes to us from a long background in museum & musical work! Performances included music theatre in the pit...
Bethany Yanchick
Curatorial TeamBethany Yanchick is excited to be part of preserving and sharing Illinois music history through artifact intake and management on...
Jennifer Bennett
Director of Public ProgramsJennifer Bennett has been driving high‑impact events and programs since 2018, leading the planning and execution of custom tours, signature...
Ambassadors
Kevin Cronin
AmbassadorKevin Cronin is best known as the iconic voice, songwriter, and frontman of REO Speedwagon, one of the most successful...
Jim Peterik
AmbassadorJim Peterik is an American musician and songwriter. He is best known as the founder of the band Survivor, as...
Bob Sirott
AmbassadorSirott is a well-known tv and radio personality who began his career in radio as a summer vacation fill-in disc...
Joe Mantegna
AmbassadorMantegna began his career on stage in 1969 with the musical Hair. He earned a Tony Award for Best Featured...
Carl Giammarese
AmbassadorCarl Giammarese began his music career as a founding member of The Buckinghams, as lead guitarist and vocalist, in 1965....
Charles Colbert
AmbassadorCharles Colbert is best known as the bass player with American Breed but his musical history is deep! Colbert performed...
Lisa Fielding
AmbassadorLisa Fielding is the afternoon anchor/reporter for Newsradio WBBM. She brings three decades of news and sports, radio and television...
Mitch Michaels
AmbassadorMitch Michaels has a long record as a personality, innovator and communicator in the Chicago radio market with stops at...
Board of Directors
Ron Romero
CEO / Founder / Chairman of the BoardRon Romero – The Board of Directors Chairman and creator of “Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66” museum...
Alice Nichols
TreasurerAlice Nichols joined the museum as Director of Operations after a 35-year career in technology sales and consulting where she...
Patti Romero
Secretary / Board OfficerPatti Romero is the Business Manager for the Construction Safety Council in Hillside, Illinois The Council is a non-profit organization...
Sheila White
Board MemberSheila White is an award-winning film and television producer for Road 2 Eternity who has been featured in several magazines...
Michael White
Board MemberMichael White is an award-winning Film & TV director who is passionate about crafting stories with inspirational messages using media...
Joe Gagliardo
Board Member Joe Gagliardo served as the Managing Partner of Laner, Muchin, Ltd., from 2005-2017, after joining the Firm as a Partner...
John Simpson
Board MemberJohn Simpson is a retired partner from a 4 generation general contractor Frank Burla and Sons Builders specializing in commercial...
Don Kronberg
Board MemberWith over three decades of experience in the concert and event industry; NiteLite Promotions founder and president, Don Kronberg, has...
Clay Johnson
Board MemberAt the end of 2019, Clay had been in the electrical business for 50+ years. He retired at that time,...
Erik Enervold
Board MemberErik Enervold is an graphic designer with over 30 years experience and owner of Simian Brothers Creative, a full-service design and print studio...
Andy Carey
Board Member / Record Companies HistorianAndy Carey was born and raised in Joliet, IL, attended Plainfield HS, and graduated from Joliet Junior College. He and...
Lou Hinkhouse
Board Member - Director of MediaLou Hinkhouse produced the “The Pulse” TV series, and continues to create new content online on our Vimeo channel. “The...
Jim Murphy
Board MemberGrowing up, Jim Murphy never doubted he would work in radio someday. His career path found direction thanks to his...
Lynn Orman
Board MemberFor over 40 years Lynn has been working in all aspects of the entertainment industry following receiving her Masters Of...
Larissa Larissa
Board MemberLarissa Larissa began singing professionally in 2013, as a background vocalist for Marshall Thompson, leader of the world famous, The...
Lauren Taylor
Board MemberLauren Taylor specializes in marketing with hands-on experience in digital advertising and campaign strategy, Lauren specializes in helping organizations grow through strong messaging...
Rob Stepan
Board MemberRob Stepan comes with decades of experience as a business owner that works with businesses to realize their company goals by...
Michelle Nichols
Board MemeberMichelle Nichols is Senior Director of Public Programs at theAdler Planetarium in Chicago, IL, and she has worked at the Adler for...
Jock Hedblade
Board MemberA true “all-arounder,” Jock Hedblade comes by his reputation in the world of media the old fashioned way; he’s earned...
Past Board Members
Historian Committee
Andy Carey
Board Member / Record Companies HistorianAndy Carey was born and raised in Joliet, IL, attended Plainfield HS, and graduated from Joliet Junior College. He and...
Become a Charter Member
Join Today!
Membership Benefits include:
Voting Rights for the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum Hall of Fame
Free Admission - Visit the museum any day during regular hours
Gift Shop Discount - Get 10% off purchases in store
Quarterly Newsletter on upcoming events, exhibits and more
Members Only Events - for special events and exhibits (some exceptions)
Pre-sale notices for special events
