Our Board of Directors

Scott Madden joined the VESM Board of Directors in June of 2023 and became president of the board in March of 2024. His goals as president are to create more local awareness of the museum and to continue the goal of the museum to educate future generations about the contributions our military, law enforcement personnel, and emergency service responders have made to our community and country.

He graduated from Minnesota State University in 1987 with a Marketing degree.

He is married and has two daughters. Currently, he is employed by Verus Mortgage Capital, with a local office in Bloomington, Minnesota.

He is the proud son of an Army veteran; his father served for two years during the Korean War and was honorably discharged as an SP3 Combat Engineer in 1956.

Sherry Irvin is a native of Rochester, Minnesota. She is married with two grown sons. She has been a DSP with Cardinal of Minnesota for over fifteen years, serving individuals with developmental disabilities. She spends her free time reading, writing, and traveling.

Veterans play an incredibly important part of her life. Many of both her family and her husband’s family have served in various branches of our military. She believes that no veteran should be without affordable housing, food, and clothing, and that we need to further educate our youth about the rights we enjoy because of the men and women who have bravely served our country. She is grateful for all our military and emergency services personnel who serve our great nation and the sacrifices they have made to keep our country safe.

Along with serving as vice president for VESM, she is a lead ambassador for the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, is the President-Elect for the Rochester Exchange Club, is on the boards for the Ability Building Community and Music Lessons for All, and is a member of the Rochester Elks Club. She holds degrees in A. S. Law Enforcement and EMT Intermediate.

Janet joined the board as Secretary in September of 2014, and has served faithfully ever since. She has been the chairperson of the Rochester Hangar Dance, to the museum's major fundraiser, since 2016.

Eric is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army. A certified combat historian, he served as the Command Historian for the 34 th Infantry Division for its 2003-2004 deployment to Bosnia and its 2009-2010 deployment to Iraq.

Additionally, Eric has taught military history and military science for R.O.T.C at Minnesota State University in Mankato, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.

He is an avid collector of military artifacts and antiques.

Richard served on our advisory committee for four months prior to joining the Board of Directors. Shortly thereafter, he was elected President of the board. Richard has recently taken the office of Executive Director. He has been the prime mover of the museum's progress in the last few years.

✓ Eric Corson
✓ Paul Groteboer
✓ Eric Kerska
✓ James Krom
✓ Dudley Parsons