The dedicated individuals who built and guide the Arizona Railway Museum
In the early 1980's, five local railfans noticed that there was no official or organized attempt to preserve and protect the artifacts relating to Arizona's railroad history. By 1983, these five railfans founded and incorporated the Arizona Railway Museum as a non-profit (501-C-3) organization dedicated to the preservation of Arizona's railroading history.
Founder (Abdicated)
Founder
Founder
Founder (Deceased)
Founder
The Arizona Railway Museum is governed by a six member Board of Directors (plus the five lifetime Founders). The term of office for each Director is two years with half of the seats being elected each year (a staggered board). Each year, the Directors nominate and approve candidates for the positions of President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary.
Note:
In 2004 one Founder relinquished their seat on the Board of Directors, allowing the addition of one elected Director for a total of seven elected Directors (plus four lifetime Founders).
In 2025 one Founder passed away, allowing the addition of one elected Director for a total of eight elected Directors (plus three lifetime Founders).
* Elected on 1/25/2026 at the Annual Membership Meeting.
** Fred Stout approved by board to fill the remainder of term for Craig Shields.
*** Write-in candidate fills open position created by deceased Founder.
| Larry Benedict | President |
| RJ "Bart" Barton | Vice President of Operations (Founder) |
| Steve Whisel | Vice President of Administration |
| Andrew Bartholet | Treasurer (Incoming) |
| Craig Shields | Treasurer (Outgoing) |
| Dianne Roberson | Secretary |
| Pete Russo | Director |
| Steve Ablonczy | Director |
| Larry Benedict | President / Secretary |
| RJ "Bart" Barton | Vice President of Operations (Founder) |
| Steve Whisel | Vice President of Administration |
| Craig Shields | Treasurer |
| John Peterson / Andrew Bartholet | Director |
| Dianne Roberson | Director |
| Pete Russo | Director |
| Andy Szabo | Director |
| Larry Benedict | President / Secretary |
| RJ "Bart" Barton | Vice President of Operations (Founder) |
| Steve Whisel | Vice President of Administration |
| Craig Shields | Treasurer |
| Pete Cook | Director / Editor "Chandler Branch" |
| Dianne Roberson | Director |
| Pete Russo | Director |
| Andy Szabo | Director |
| Larry Benedict | President / Secretary |
| RJ "Bart" Barton | Vice President of Operations (Founder) |
| Steve Whisel | Vice President of Administration |
| Craig Shields | Treasurer |
| Andy Szabo | Director / Editor "Chandler Branch" |
| Dianne Roberson | Director |
| Rob Smalley | Director |
| Pete Russo | Director |
| John Meise | Director at Large (non-voting) |
| Larry Benedict | President |
| RJ "Bart" Barton | Vice President of Operations (Founder) |
| Steve Whisel | Vice President of Administration |
| Craig Shields | Treasurer |
| Andy Szabo | Director / Editor "Chandler Branch" |
| Dianne Roberson | Director |
| Rob Smalley | Director (appointed 8/14/21) |
| Larry Benedict | President |
| Tom Klobas | Director |
| RJ "Bart" Barton | Vice President of Operations (Founder) |
| Steve Whisel | Vice President of Administration |
| Craig Shields | Treasurer |
| Andy Szabo | Secretary / Director / Editor "Chandler Branch" |
| Dianne Roberson | Director |
| Al Wenger | Director |
2019: Larry Benedict (President), Tom Klobas (Director), RJ "Bart" Barton (VP Operations - Founder), Steve Whisel (VP Administration), Craig Shields (Treasurer), Andy Szabo (Secretary/Director), Stan Garner (Director), Dianne Roberson (Director)
2018: Larry Benedict (President), Tom Klobas (Director), RJ "Bart" Barton (VP Operations - Founder), Steve Whisel (VP Administration), Craig Shields (Treasurer), Andy Szabo (Secretary/Director), Stan Garner (Director), Jim Byrne (Director)
2017: Larry Benedict (President), RJ "Bart" Barton (VP Operations - Founder), Steve Whisel (VP Administration), Craig Shields (Treasurer), Andy Szabo (Director), Stan Garner (Director), Tom Klobas (Director), Jim Byrne (Director)
2016: Tom Klobas (President - non-voting), Larry Benedict (Director/Assistant to President), RJ "Bart" Barton (VP Operations - Founder), Steve Whisel (VP Administration), Craig Shields (Treasurer), Karen Chmiel (Executive Secretary), Andy Szabo (Director), Stan Garner (Director), Fred Stout (Director)
2015: Larry Benedict (President), RJ "Bart" Barton (VP Operations), Steve Whisel (VP Administration), Craig Shields (Treasurer), Karen Chmiel (Executive Secretary), Mark Redmond/Andy Szabo (Director), Stan Garner (Director), Fred Stout (Director)
2014: Larry Benedict (President), RJ "Bart" Barton (VP Operations), Steve Whisel (VP Administration), Craig Shields (Treasurer - appointed, non-voting), Karen Chmiel (Executive Secretary), Andrew "Andy" Szabo (Director), Mark Redmond (Director), Russ Lassuy (Director), Stan Garner (Director)
2013: Larry Benedict (President), RJ "Bart" Barton (VP Operations), Tom Klobas (VP Communications), Russ Lassuy (VP Physical Plant/Executive Secretary), Karen Chmiel (Treasurer), Andrew "Andy" Szabo (Director), Mark Redmond (Director), Steve Whisel (Director/Curator)
2012: Larry Benedict (President), RJ "Bart" Barton (COO - Founder), Tom Klobas (VP Administration), Craig Shields (Treasurer), Andrew "Andy" Szabo (Executive Secretary & Locomotive Foreman), Karen Chmiel (Director), Mark Redmond (Director), Steve Whisel (Director/Curator)
2011: RJ "Bart" Barton (President/COO - Founder), Tom Klobas (VP Administration), Michael "Mike" Margrave (VP Legal Affairs), Craig Shields (Treasurer), Andrew "Andy" Szabo (Executive Secretary & Locomotive Foreman), George Barker (Director), Mark Redmond (Director), Karen Chmiel (Director)
2010: Tom Klobas (President), RJ "Bart" Barton (VP Operations - Founder), Michael "Mike" Margrave (VP Legal Affairs), Craig Shields (Treasurer), Andrew "Andy" Szabo (Executive Secretary & Locomotive Foreman), George Barker (Director), Ken Dickinson (Director), Mark Redmond (Director)
2009: Tom Klobas (President), RJ "Bart" Barton (VP Operations - Founder), Michael "Mike" Margrave (VP Legal Affairs), Craig Shields (Treasurer), Hal Whitehead (Executive Secretary), Andrew "Andy" Szabo (Locomotive Foreman), George Barker (Director), Ken Dickinson (Director)
2008: Tom Klobas (President), RJ "Bart" Barton (VP Operations - Founder), Michael "Mike" Margrave (VP Legal Affairs), Craig Shields (Treasurer), Bruce Stadwiser (Executive Secretary), Andrew "Andy" Szabo (Locomotive Foreman), George Barker (Director), Ken Dickinson (Director)
2007: Tom Klobas (President), RJ "Bart" Barton (VP Operations - Founder), Michael "Mike" Margrave (VP Legal Affairs), Andrew "Andy" Szabo (Chief Mechanical Officer), Craig Shields (Treasurer), Bruce Stadwiser (Executive Secretary), Russell "Russ" Lassuy (Director), Ken Dickinson (Director)
2006: Tom Klobas (President), RJ "Bart" Barton (VP Operations - Founder), Michael "Mike" Margrave (VP Legal Affairs), Craig Shields (Treasurer), Bruce Stadwiser (Executive Secretary), Andrew "Andy" Szabo (Director), Russell "Russ" Lassuy (Director), Hal Whitehead (Director)
2005: Michael "Mike" Margrave (President), Tom Klobas (VP Administration), RJ "Bart" Barton (VP Operations - Founder), Harold "Hal" Whitehead (Executive Secretary), Craig Shields (Treasurer), Russell "Russ" Lassuy (Director), Bruce Stadwiser (Director), Andrew "Andy" Szabo (Director)
2004: R.J. "Bart" Barton (President - Founder), Mike Margrave (VP Legal), Dennis Warren (VP Financial), Craig Shields (Treasurer), Hal Whitehead (Secretary), Tom Klobas (Director), Russ Lassuy (Director), Bruce Stadwiser (Director)
2003: R.J. "Bart" Barton (President - Founder), Mike Margrave (VP Legal), Dennis Warren (VP Financial), Craig Shields (Treasurer), George Holt (Secretary), Hal Whitehead (Facility Manager), Sydney Holt (Director)
2002: R.J. "Bart" Barton (President), Mike Margrave (VP Legal), Dennis Warren (VP Financial), Sydney Holt (Treasurer), George Holt (Secretary), Hal Whitehead (Facility Manager), Steve Whisel (Director)
Interested in supporting the museum's mission? Consider becoming a member or volunteering. Board positions are elected annually at our membership meetings.
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