Bill Thomas, Route 66 Road Ahead Chair, appointed to National Route 66 Centennial Commission

 

[December 30, 2022] 

President Biden announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to serve as members on the Route 66 Centennial Commission:

• Caroline Beteta, Member, Route 66 Centennial Commission

• Danielle E. Blackshear, Member, Route 66 Centennial Commission

• Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko, Member, Route 66 Centennial Commission

• Mark V. Falzone, Member, Route 66 Centennial Commission

• Tim J. Gatz, Member, Route 66 Centennial Commission

• Debbie Johnson, Member, Route 66 Centennial Commission

• Dale A. Oglesby, Member, Route 66 Centennial Commission

• Rod Reid, Member, Route 66 Centennial Commission

• Jen Paul Schroer, Member, Route 66 Centennial Commission
 

• William M. Thomas, Member, Route 66 Centennial Commission

• Michael Wallis, Member, Route 66 Centennial Commission

• Richard Ware, Member, Route 66 Centennial Commission

Quoting the White House, “The Route 66 Centennial Commission was established by Congress to study and recommend in a report to Congress activities that would be fitting and proper to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the Mother Road of the United States, Route 66, in 2026. The Commission shall study activities that may be carried out by the Federal Government to honor Route 66, including potential ceremonies and celebrations, the production and publication of media or other materials, and the issuance of commemorative items.”

The official appointment should come in the weeks ahead.

The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership is glad to see William (Bill) Thomas on the appointee list. Thomas is the Chairman of the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, which works to speak with one voice for all of Route 66, through programs focused on preservation, promotion, research, education, and the economic development of the road. A resident of Atlanta, Illinois, Thomas experiences both the realities and the potential of Route 66 like many businesses and communities who are also learning to leverage its potential to revive their local economies.

On behalf of the Road Ahead, Thomas is excited to be a member of the Route 66 Centennial Commission and the opportunity it provides to celebrate the road’s special anniversary in 2026 and position it for preservation and growth for next 100 years.

Established in 2016, with the support of the National Park Service and the World Monuments' Fund, The Road Ahead Partnership’s mission is to revitalize and sustain Route 66 as a national and international icon through partnerships focused on promotion, preservation, research and education, as well as economic development.

[Text provided by Bill Thomas]