Board of Directors
Meet the team behind the museum
John Westphal
President
More About John
Education: BBA Finance, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Current Career Position: CEO, Westphal & Co., Inc.
How long have you lived in Rock County? I was born and raised in Janesville and have lived here my entire life.
What inspires you? People coming together as a community to make great things happen for everybody.
Why did you volunteer to be a board member? I was a member of the exploratory committee in 2007-2008 that evaluated the construction of a children’s museum in Rock County. We put the project on the back burner in 2008, given the negative changes to our local economy at that time.
I volunteered to join the board because a new group of energetic and passionate supporters now want to bring this project to fruition.
Improving the quality of life in my home county and hometown have always been very important to me. I do my best to support those projects that enhance our communities and our downtowns.
The Children’s Museum of Rock County is just such a project, and it should be at the top of the list for anyone committed to making their community better.
What’s your favorite type of activity or exhibit in a children’s museum? Anything that opens kids’ eyes wide with wonder.
Sabrina Siker Bowerman
Vice President/Secretary
More About Sabrina
- Education: BA Sociology from UW-Madison; MS Negotiation and Conflict Resolution from Creighton University School of Law.
- Current Career Position: Consultant
- How long have you lived in Rock County? I’m proud to be 3rd-generation born and raised in Janesville. I lived in California for six years before returning to Janesville in 2020 with my husband to raise our two young kids.
- What inspires you? My children inspire me most. Every day they challenge me to be the best version of myself. They inspire me with their endless curiosity, enthusiasm, and love. I’m also inspired by collaboration: working with others to achieve a joint goal.
- Why did you volunteer to be a board member? I volunteered to be a CMRC board member to give back to my hometown and support this amazing opportunity for our community.
- What’s your favorite type of activity or exhibit in a children’s museum? My favorite exhibit is anything animal or plant oriented, like a butterfly exhibit.
elizabeth paull
Treasurer
More About Elizabeth
Education: B.S. in Psychology and Spanish from UW-Stevens Point. Study Abroad at Centro de Idiomas University of Valladolid, Spain. Masters of Arts in Teaching with a concentration in ELL from Western Illinois University.
Current Career Position: Business Owner, Work at Home Parent, School District of Janesville School Board Commissioner.
How long have you lived in Rock County? I was born and raised in Rock County and returned to the area with my husband upon finishing undergraduate and graduate school to start our family business and raise our children.
What inspires you? Children, nature, kindness, learning new things, and helping people are what inspire me most.
Why did you volunteer to be a board member? I love museums, especially children’s museums. I enjoy exploring different museums when traveling and visiting new cities. Having grown up in Janesville and now raising my own three children in the community, I understand how much we need a museum here as part of the cultural fabric for children and families. Being a part of the creation and development of CMRC is exciting to me! Community involvement is something I strongly believe in and I am thrilled to be able to be part of the Children’s Museum Board!
What’s your favorite type of activity or exhibit in a children’s museum? I adore anything that encourages imaginative play. My favorites are always the exhibits that replicate real life where children can interact with new friends, play make-believe, and dream – replica grocery store, pizza parlor, mechanic shop, ambulance, restaurant, house, train station, log cabin, garden, wilderness, and more! Another favorite is museums that incorporate outdoor space alongside their museum exhibits. Outdoor play, learning, and exploration when combined together are magical!
Sara Iverson Smith
Board Member
More About Sara
Education: B.S. Political Science and Philosophy, Drake University. M.B.A, University of Mary.
Current Career Position: Senior Director of Real Estate, Facilities and Construction, Blain’s Supply
How long have you lived in Rock County? Three and a half years.
What inspires you? Seeing my kids happy, growing and learning, and nature, I do my best thinking laying in
the grass in the sun or floating on a lake.Why did you volunteer to be a board member? I always believe that it’s our job to make our community as good as we can for future generations. This project will benefit generations of citizens in Rock County, not just kids. Not only will it repurpose a beautiful architectural building in a fantastic location, but it will also allow for the continued revitalization of downtown and demonstrate Janesville’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth.
What’s your favorite type of activity or exhibit in a children’s museum? My kids grew up going to Betty Brinn Children’s Museum in Milwaukee and we always loved grocery shopping! I started my career as a grocery checker so I’m partial to the checkout lane and putting things in baskets. Meow Wolf has taken this to the next level, so I hope to use them as inspiration for whimsical design to take this to the next level.
oLIVIA MCCARTHY
Board Member
More About Olivia
- Education: B.A. Public Relations from UW- Eau Claire. J. D. from University of Wisconsin Law School.
- Current Career Position: Freelancer, Work-from-home mom
- How long have you lived in Rock County? More than 25 years. I was born and raised in Rock County and I returned not long after graduating from college.
- What inspires you? Learning and education. I love to learn and I take every opportunity I can to learn something new. I think that learning expands beyond formal educational settings and we can learn something from every person we meet.
- Why did you volunteer to be a board member? I really want to get involved and give back to my community. Being a mother is a large part of my identity and I was excited that I could converge my formal training in PR and law with that piece of my identity. I also think that a children’s museum will be an important asset to Rock County and is something our community is lacking.
- What’s your favorite type of activity or exhibit in a children’s museum? I enjoy any activity that mimics the “real world”- farm exhibits, restaurants, grocery stores, etc. I love watching as kids make the connection as they play and imagine
Mitchell Benson
Board Member
More About Mitchell
Education: I have B.S. degree in elementary education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Current Career Position: I recently retired from the Prent Corporation in 2019 after working in senior management. Prior to that I spent 25 years at Gilman Engineering and Manufacturing.
How long have you lived in Rock County? I was born in Rock County and have lived here over 60 years.
What inspires you? Watching our six grandchildren develop and grow through life; seeing their joy and happiness as they learn and experience new things.
Why did you volunteer to be a board member? As a grandfather of six (who are all under six), I know how critical it is for a community to support early childhood development. We have raised our children in Janesville and it’s exciting to know the next generation of our family will enjoy the museum.
What’s your favorite type of activity or exhibit in a children’s museum? Our grandchildren love going to the Children’s Museum in Madison — painting, climbing, and water activities are favorites.
Brendon Wilkinson
Board Member
More About Brendon
Education: St. Norbert College undergrad, Executive MBA – UW Madison, Graduate School of Banking – UW Madison
Current Career Position: President/CEO of First Community Bank
How long have you lived in Rock County? I moved our family from the Madison area 18 years ago to start my career at First Community Bank. One of the best decisions I have made.
What inspires you? Watching my two adult children start their professional careers and seeing them become positive role models.
Why did you volunteer to be a board member? There has been talk about a Children’s Museum in Rock County ever since we moved our family to the area. We would frequently visit museums in the region when our children were younger and because of these experiences I understand the value this important community resource will provide not only to Janesville but to the entire region. I would like to be a part of this community effort and know that it will make lasting impressions on families for decades to follow.
What’s your favorite type of activity or exhibit in a children’s museum? There are critical parent and child bonding experience that takes place in museums like ours. These experiences build stronger communities and family units that are often missing in today’s cell phone society.