About the Commission
Congress established the Route 66 Centennial Commission to study and recommend fitting and proper activities to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the Mother Road of the United States, U.S. Route 66, in 2026. Including members from each of the eight states along Historic Route 66, the Commission is using a set of seven strategic principles to identify activities including:
- Celebrate & Honor
- Preserve, Protect & Enhance
- Generate Tourism Demand
- Tourism Development
- Economic
- National Collaboration
- Research & Education
Members
![A woman, Jen Paul Schroer, in a blue suit smiling for the camera.](https://www.route66-centennial.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Jen_Schroer-200x200.jpg)
Jen Paul Schroer (Vice-Chair)
Cabinet Secretary
New Mexico Aging & Long-Term Services Dept
![Rod Reid standing in front of a brick wall.](https://www.route66-centennial.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Rod_Reid-200x200.jpg)
Rod Reid (Chair)
Co-Owner
Shepherd Hills Factory Outlets
![A woman in a business suit posing for a photo, featuring Caroline Beteta.](https://www.route66-centennial.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Caroline_Beteta-200x200.jpg)
Caroline Beteta
President & CEO
Visit California
![A smiling woman in a pink dress standing on a street named Danielle Blackshear.](https://www.route66-centennial.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Danielle_Blackshear-200x200.jpg)
Danielle Blackshear
Transportation Specialist
Federal Highway Administration
![A man named Mark Falzone in a suit and tie smiling for the camera.](https://www.route66-centennial.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Mark_Falzone-1.jpg)
Mark Falzone
President & CEO
Scenic America
![A man in a suit and tie standing in front of flags at a Tim Gatz event.](https://www.route66-centennial.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Tim_Gatz-200x200.jpg)
Tim Gatz
Secretary of Transportation
Oklahoma Dept. of Transportation
![A woman wearing a black jacket and necklace named Debbie Johnson.](https://www.route66-centennial.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Debbie_Johnson-200x200.jpg)
Debbie Johnson
Sr. Vice President
Miles Partnership
![Dale Oglesby in front of a stone wall.](https://www.route66-centennial.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/dale-200x200.jpg)
Dale Oglesby
Member
Kansas Route 66 Association
![A woman named Joan in a purple shirt smiling for the camera.](https://www.route66-centennial.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Joan-Sestak-200x200.jpg)
Joan Sestak
Director of Community & Government Relations
University of Illinois - Springfield
![A woman wearing a white shirt and pearls in front of an American flag during an auto draft.](https://www.route66-centennial.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Lt-Governor-Stratton-200x200.jpg)
Hon. Juliana Stratton
Lieutenant Governor
State of Illinois
![A man in a suit and tie.](https://www.route66-centennial.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Trait_Thompson250x250-200x200.jpg)
Trait Thompson
Executive Director
Oklahoma Historical Society
![A man named William in a suit standing in front of a brick wall.](https://www.route66-centennial.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/William-Thomas-200x200.jpg)
William Thomas
Road Ahead Chair
Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership
![Michael Wallis smiles in front of a group of people.](https://www.route66-centennial.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/michael_wallis.jpg)
Michael Wallis
Co-founder, Route 66 Alliance
Route 66 Alliance
![A smiling man in a suit and green tie named Richard Ware.](https://www.route66-centennial.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Richard_Ware-200x200.jpg)
Richard Ware
Chairman
Amarillo National Bank