Board members of the Friends of Manhattan Project National Park pictured outside Fuller Lodge are, from left, Dave Miko, David Jolly, Tina Moore, Bill Blumenthal, McKenzie Vaupel, and Ellyn Felton and Tom Smith, the NPS Site manager for MAPR-LA. Courtesy photo
FRIENDS OF MAPR-LA NEWS RELEASE
The Friends of MAPR-LA (a 501(c)3 non-profit organization) is the official Friends group of the
Manhattan Project National Historical Park (MAPR). This year’s board elections took place on Wednesday May 29, 2024, welcomed several new board members and celebrated the accomplishments of one founding board member’s many years of service.
This year the Friends group added several new Board Members including McKenzie Vaupel, Ellyn Felton, and Tina Moore. Continuing on for new two-year terms are Bill Blumenthal, Kristin Henderson, David Miko, and Ron Wilkins. David Jolly and Chris Judson are current Board members in the middle of their two-year terms.
The Friends of MAPR-LA group was founded in 2017 (shortly after the park’s creation in 2015) and meets every two months to conduct business. As the park’s only Philanthropic Partner, the Friends group plays a crucial role in enhancing the park’s visitor experience, increasing awareness of the park both locally and nationally, and providing critical financial resources to support the park’s programs. These include supporting visitor center docent recruitment and appreciation, education outreach via an Artist-in- Residence, and special events.
Stepping down after serving three two-year terms is founding Board Member and early MAPR park supporter, Rick Reiss. Rick’s many accomplishments include continuously serving as an officer in many capacities since it’s inception (President, Vice President, and Secretary). Recently, he successfully applied for a grant from N3B that funded the creation and maintenance of the group’s website and single-handedly designed and stood up the website that is critical to the long-term success of the Friends group.
“We are very grateful to Rick Reiss for his many years of service and commitment to the Friends of MAPR-LA and the park,” said park Superintendent Wendy Berhman. “His unwavering support and dedication to the Manhattan Project National Historical Park is greatly appreciated.”
Interested in learning more about the Friends of MAPR-LA and becoming a member?
The Friends of MAPR-LA (a 501(c)3 non-profit organization) is the official Friends group of the
Manhattan Project National Historical Park (MAPR). This year’s board elections took place on Wednesday May 29, 2024, welcomed several new board members and celebrated the accomplishments of one founding board member’s many years of service.
This year the Friends group added several new Board Members including McKenzie Vaupel, Ellyn Felton, and Tina Moore. Continuing on for new two-year terms are Bill Blumenthal, Kristin Henderson, David Miko, and Ron Wilkins. David Jolly and Chris Judson are current Board members in the middle of their two-year terms.
The Friends of MAPR-LA group was founded in 2017 (shortly after the park’s creation in 2015) and meets every two months to conduct business. As the park’s only Philanthropic Partner, the Friends group plays a crucial role in enhancing the park’s visitor experience, increasing awareness of the park both locally and nationally, and providing critical financial resources to support the park’s programs. These include supporting visitor center docent recruitment and appreciation, education outreach via an Artist-in- Residence, and special events.
Stepping down after serving three two-year terms is founding Board Member and early MAPR park supporter, Rick Reiss. Rick’s many accomplishments include continuously serving as an officer in many capacities since it’s inception (President, Vice President, and Secretary). Recently, he successfully applied for a grant from N3B that funded the creation and maintenance of the group’s website and single-handedly designed and stood up the website that is critical to the long-term success of the Friends group.
“We are very grateful to Rick Reiss for his many years of service and commitment to the Friends of MAPR-LA and the park,” said park Superintendent Wendy Berhman. “His unwavering support and dedication to the Manhattan Project National Historical Park is greatly appreciated.”
Interested in learning more about the Friends of MAPR-LA and becoming a member? Please visit our website at: FriendsOfMAPRLA.com