U.S. Marshals Museum, Museum Foundation announce new board leadership

The U.S. Marshals Museum and the U.S. Marshals Museum Foundation announced new board leadership Monday (Dec. 18) as the museum heads into its first full year of being open to the public.

Dr. Terisa Riley, chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, will take over as chair of the Museum Board, a position formerly held by Doug Babb, beginning Jan. 1. Babb held the position for more than five years.

“I am humbled and excited to be named the chair of the Board of Directors and grateful for the opportunity to work with the dedicated professionals who direct and manage the vastly diverse elements of this national museum. As a former law enforcement officer, I am honored to ensure the legacy of the U.S. Marshals through the stories told in this outstanding, state-of-the-art museum,” said Riley, who has served on the board since 2022.

Riley completed the National Police Institute in Warrensburg, Mo., in 1993. She served as a law enforcement officer and director of security for Central Methodist College in Fayetteville, Mo., from 1993 to 1997 (before it became Central Methodist University).

Ben Johnson, president and CEO of the museum, said the museum would not be where it is today without Babb’s leadership. Babb will remain on the board for 2024 in an advisory capacity.

“It has been a great privilege to serve as chair for the last five and one-half years,” Babb said. “My goal was to see that the Marshals Museum opened to the public, and it did on July 1. Now we need a leader who can take the museum and our education and programming efforts to the next level with local, regional, and national outreach. Dr. Riley is the perfect person to lead that effort.”

VISITORS, PROGRAMS
Johnson said the museum staff is excited about the coming year and the chance to see how the museum does on visits when it is able to be open an entire year.

“During this fall and winter season, we’ve seen some decline in general visitors but an increase in school visits. It’s been good to see students in here,” Johnson said.

The museum saw just over 35,000 visitors since opening June 29, Johnson said, adding that the majority of those were in July through October. Those visitors came from all 50 states and more than a dozen foreign countries, he said. November and December saw lower numbers, but there are more students on the schedule for January through May, he said.

The staff is making plans for 2024 and 2025, he said, noting that some exciting events would be added to the museum’s calendar in the early part of next year.

“We’re getting to see and think about some possibilities for the museum, and it’s good to see it being used for other purposes like private events, too,” Johnson said.

The museum offers spaces of 650 square feet for smaller, more intimate events and up to 14,000 square feet for larger events. Johnson noted they have hosted weddings, receptions, banquets and corporate events.

FOUNDATION LEADERSHIP
Johnson said the U.S. Marshals Museum Foundation, the fundraising arm of the museum, still has about $2 million to raise to reach its $50 million initial campaign goal. Susan Neyman is the chief development officer and president of the foundation board. Beginning Jan. 1, the foundation board will be chaired by Cynthia Coughlin, owner of Coughlin’s Ranch in Centerton. She will succeed Laurice Hachem, who has served on the Foundation Board since 2019.

Coughlin previously served as chair of the board for the Bentonville-Bella Vista Boys & Girls Club and the Walton Arts Center. She has held positions on the board of directors with the Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks, the Washington Regional Medical Foundation, Circle of Life Hospice, as well as the Bentonville School Board. Additionally, Coughlin has acted as an advisory board member of the Symphony of North Arkansas, former president of the Bentonville Garden Club, and a national board member of Rebuilding Together. She serves on boards for the Police Athletic League and the Law Enforcement Assistance Program.

“I am honored to be chosen to help lead this great group of Foundation members. As as a result of Laurice’s invaluable work, we will be successful,” Coughlin said.

Lawson Hembree, Philip Merry Jr. and Bennie Westphal were named as new members to the U.S. Marshals Museum board. Neff Basore, Ryan Gehrig and David Harlow, former acting director of the United States Marshals Service, were named to the foundation board.

In January 2007, the U.S. Marshals Service selected Fort Smith as the site for the national museum. The Robbie Westphal family, led by Bennie Westphal and Robin Westphal Clegg, donated the riverfront land for the museum. A ceremonial groundbreaking was held in September 2015. Museum officials initially hoped to have the facility open by late 2017, but struggles to raise money delayed the opening. Construction of the approximately 53,000-square-foot U.S. Marshals Museum was completed — except for exhibits — in early 2020. With exhibits completed, the museum opened to the public on July 1, 2023.