SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California State Railroad Museum Foundation has named Tim Schroepfer as its president and CEO, effective immediately. Schroepfer joined the foundation as director of events and marketing in 2019, then became interim chief operation officer last year before his latest promotion. He succeeds Cheryl Marcell, who left the foundation in 2021.
“Tim demonstrated his leadership prowess as our chief operating 0fficer and earned the right to step in as President and CEO,” Jim Houpt, chairman of the foundation board of directors, said in a press release. “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.”
The foundation works in collaboration with and provides fundraising support for the Californai State Railroad Museum in the Old Sacramento State Historic Park, as well as for the Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown, Calif. Schroepfer will manage a staff of 26, overseeing fundraising, sponsorship, and membership efforts; marketing, social media, and public relations; and direct community events and activities.
“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,” said Schroepfer, a Sacramento native. “It is an absolute honor and privilege to return home and help support our Parks partners.”
