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

Jen Paul Schroer (Vice-Chair)

Cabinet Secretary

New Mexico Aging & Long-Term Services Dept

Rod Reid (Chair)

Co-Owner

Shepherd Hills Factory Outlets

Caroline Beteta

President & CEO

Visit California

Danielle Blackshear

Transportation Specialist

Federal Highway Administration

Mark Falzone

President & CEO

Scenic America

Tim Gatz

Secretary of Transportation

Oklahoma Dept. of Transportation

Debbie Johnson

Sr. Vice President

Miles Partnership

Dale Oglesby

Member

Kansas Route 66 Association

Joan Sestak

Director of Community & Government Relations

University of Illinois – Springfield

Hon. Juliana Stratton

Lieutenant Governor

State of Illinois

Trait Thompson

Executive Director

Oklahoma Historical Society

William Thomas

Road Ahead Chair

Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership

Michael Wallis

Co-founder, Route 66 Alliance

Route 66 Alliance

Richard Ware

Chairman

Amarillo National Bank