Aurora Regional Fire Museum appoints seven new board members

During the recent meeting of board of directors, the Aurora Regional Fire Museum appointed seven board members to serve a three-year term. The board is the governing body for the Aurora Regional Fire Museum and consists of up to 15 members of the region.

• Abby Schuler, downtown services manager for the City of Aurora, was reelected to a second term and is the board treasurer.

• Cayla Wagner is assistant curator of the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum. Prior to her current position, she was the museum assistant at the fire museum.

• Eric Essex is a financial adviser with Wela Financial in Downtown Aurora. He is involved with Boy Scouts of America and the Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

• James Cardis is director of marketing of the Aurora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. He will join the fire museum's marketing committee.

• Jim Rhodes is the battalion chief of training of the Aurora Fire Department and the author of "The Fire Service: History, Traditions & Beyond." He was reelected to a second term.

• Karen Yaggie is the director of marketing of Universal Security Instruments. She is passionate about fire and life safety and active in the local community.

• Velvet Mason is the development manager of Giant Steps. Velvet has a strong background in marketing and capital campaigns and is a member of the Rotary Club of Aurora.

"As an organization dedicated to the history of the Aurora Fire Department, the fire service, and providing fire and life safety prevention education; the ability to continue honoring our mission and maintain our community awareness couldn't be more prevalent in our new board members. Fire and life safety affects everyone; especially in a time when people are at home, operating businesses from their home, and seeking ways to still connect. The dedication and passion of our board members, staff, and supporters is what will continue to drive our efforts and allow us to be ever so ready to reopen in the coming weeks," said Jill Cotton, president of the board of the Aurora Regional Fire Museum.

With the appointment of new members to its board, the fire museum extends its sincere thanks to outgoing members Jim Birchall, Brad Westrom, Rick Peabody, Clare Augustine, Elizabeth Sturm, and Jim DeSomer for their years of dedicated service to the museum.

The Aurora Regional Fire Museum preserves the history of the Aurora Fire Department and fire service in our region through our collections and exhibits while educating visitors about fire safety and prevention. The museum welcomes over 10,000 visitors annually for tours, programs, and events.

For more information, contact Brian Failing, Executive Director, at info@auroraregionalfiremuseum.org.