Vickie Ashcraft, President
My connection to Route 66 began in the mid-1970s, when I first drove the Mother Road in my dad’s red Austin Healey convertible. Cruising through Tijeras Canyon just east of Albuquerque was pure joy—a memory that still inspires me today.
For nearly 40 years, I’ve lived and worked along Route 66, building a life and community on this historic highway. Over the years, I’ve been honored to serve as president of the New Mexico Route 66 Association for more than two terms, and I now serve as president of the New Mexico Route 66 Alliance.
I’m also the proud owner of Enchanted Trails RV Park & Trading Post, a landmark with roots dating back to the 1940s. Along the way, I’ve met and connected with the families of all its previous owners, keeping its history alive while welcoming travelers from around the world.
I’m passionate about preserving the past and helping to create the future of Route 66. Visitors are always welcome to stop in, wander through my vintage travel trailer exhibit, and see the only hubcap tree on Route 66!
R.I.P. Larry Plath, Vice President – Deceased 12-16
Larry Plath, along with his brother Johnny, are 3rd generation sign pros who did business as Southwest Outdoor Electric in Albuquerque. The brothers worked statewide and created, installed, and maintained many classic signs along Route 66. During Johnnie Meier’s administration of the New Mexico Route 66 Association in 2003, Larry and Johnny Plath restored the massive Sun ‘n Sand Motel sign in Santa Rosa and the impressive Rotosphere in Moriarty as contractors during the initial National Park Service funded neon restoration project. Larry can be seen installing the towering Sun ‘n Sand sign in the Emmy Award winning documentary “Route 66: The Neon Road.” Larry is retired and is currently a valued member of the Alliance Preservation Team. Larry has volunteered his time and expertise troubleshooting and restoring most Tucumcari’s neon signs damaged by hail in 2023. Larry continues to work to maintain the neon signs in Tucumcari. Larry is also working with Johnnie Meier to create an instructional video project to train do-it-yourselfers to troubleshoot and restore vintage roadside neon signs. Larry has also served on the Board of Directors of Albuquerque’s softball league.
Larry passed away, a victim of lung cancer 12-16, 2025. Johnnie Meier, Preservation Officer remembers, “Larry was a friend and mentor for more than 20 years. I had the great privilege of working shoulder-to-shoulder learning from the master. As a very active Vice-President, he brought wisdom and experience to the Alliance team. He was special.” President Vickie Ashcraft recalls, “Larry would call me at all hours, sometimes very late at night. He had ideas, visions, suggestions and opinions and we’d talk at length about how the Alliance could better serve Route 66 constituents and how to deal with issues confronting the Alliance. I was fortunate to have a man of Larry’s character to serve as Vice-President.”
Cyndie Tidwell, Treasurer
I hold a Master’s degree in Community and Regional Planning from the UNM School of Architecture and Planning and have more than 22 years of experience in urban planning. My interests outside of work have focused on the preservation and interpretation of historic places, with a special passion for U.S. Route 66. In 2006, I authored the New Mexico Route 66 Corridor Management Plan and have written successful grants supporting preservation projects.
My connection to Route 66 is both professional and deeply personal. I grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, just one lot away from 11th Street—historic U.S. 66. My father worked as a road man for Montgomery Ward, traveling the highway as he audited catalog stores in rural towns. The road also carried our family on annual trips to Chicago to visit relatives, weaving Route 66 into the fabric of my life from an early age. I’ve been part of Route 66 groups since the 75th anniversary celebration.
Today, I am honored to serve on the board as we prepare to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Mother Road.
Johnnie Meier, Preservation Officer
Johnnie Meier served as past President of the New Mexico Route 66 Association. Mr. Meier earned a New Mexico Heritage Preservation Award for neon sign preservation on Route 66 and a written citation from the National Scenic Byway organization for Best Practices in preservation project management. He is a published author having written for American Road Magazine and the national Route 66 Magazine. Mr. Meier started Route 66 New Mexico magazine and has contributed articles for more than 20 years. He is the owner/curator of the Classical Gas Museum, a tourist attraction in Embudo, NM. Mr. Meier is a retired Research Scientist at the Los Alamos National Laboratory and a former adjunct professor at the University of New Mexico.
Bruce Shaffer, Director
I am a Vietnam veteran with over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry and a background in sales and marketing. Alongside two colleagues, I helped organize the 75th Anniversary of Route 66 in Albuquerque, an international celebration that drew enthusiasts from around the world. For the following 15 years, I continued honoring the Mother Road through the annual Neon Cruise. Aa an active member of several car clubs and civic organizations, I enjoy participating in vintage car events and community projects. I also support local youth programs and assist with car repair initiatives that provide reliable transportation for underprivileged women.
Craig Cropsey, Director
Craig is a semi-retired educator and still lectures for senior organizations. His love affair with Route 66 started way back in 1957, when at age nine he rode with his family from Chicago to Los Angeles on the “Mother Road.” That trip lit a spark that turned into a lifelong passion. He has been researching and exploring the highway since 1992.
Over the years, Craig has worn many hats: counseling psychologist, college administrator, and teacher. He’s traveled to 46 countries and spent a year living and guest lecturing in New Zealand. For the past 20 years, he has called Placitas, New Mexico, home, after spending much of his life in Colorado and a handful of other states.
Craig’s interests are wide-ranging: the human brain and consciousness, near-death experiences, vintage cars and license plates, Fred Harvey history, early mission-style architecture, and the unique history of New Mexico. He also loves getting outdoors—whether it’s off-roading and biking, hiking, or just soaking in the landscape.
When it comes to Route 66, Craig has covered all eight states more than once, and he’s explored many of the old alignments including La Bajada and the Cuervo cut-off in New Mexico.
Cindy Carson
Cindy Carson grew up on Route 66 and attended universities in 3 different Route 66 states. Cindy’s most memorable childhood experience was a month-long family trip along Route 66. They stopped to see everything! Her father made her write a daily trip log, which is now one of her most cherished possessions.
She rekindled her love of Route 66 while driving from California to New Mexico to visit her aging parents. Her photography skills made the trip so exciting that she couldn’t wait to return. She let the road dictate her schedule and one day, only managed to drive 25 miles!
Albuquerque was so magical that tears ran down her face when it was time to leave. In 2014, she moved to New Mexico, where she met and married her beloved husband.
Cindy’s photography has been shown in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Chicago, New York City, and Peru. She has been published in national magazines and has shown in museum shows.
She served as President of the Fresno County Archaeological Society/Archaeological Institute of America. She currently sits on the board of the Albuquerque Conservation Association and was a past board member of The Albuquerque Archaeological Society and the New Mexico Route 66 Association.
Cindy’s family rescued an old 1937 Horn/Conoco Gas station, which is just 4 blocks from Route 66. It has been in Route 66 books and has been rented by the movie industry. Private tours and photo ops will be available during the upcoming Route 66 Centennial.
Roger Siegmann
I first set foot on the “Mother Road” (Route 66) in the fall of 1958. We migrated from the Michigan Upper Peninsula to the booming uranium capital of the world: Grants, New Mexico and I have been here ever since. I worked for 19 years in uranium mining and 23 years at the local coal mine, then retired. My wife and I enjoy old cars and old camp trailers and using both.
My wife and I did the Route 66 Motor Tour in 2016, taking our 1959 Chevrolet Apache Chevy truck from Gallup to Tucumcari. All the while, sporting the event license plate lucky number 13. The trip was great! I joined the Route 66 Association years ago and am now a current board member of the New Mexico Route 66 Alliance.
Eight years ago, we started a children’s Christmas holiday window painting program that had 4th graders from all 5 local elementary schools paint Santa’s, candy canes, and more on the business windows on our town’s Main Street, which is historic Route 66. We also organize and promote car cruises and car shows on Historic Route 66 in Grants, New Mexico.
Nine years ago, we started an “All Fool’s Day“ car cruise to the Bibo Bar, north of Laguna New Mexico. The first 20 miles of the cruise include games on Historic 66 at various historic stops. We stay active in the community. This is the 2nd year we sponsored a breast cancer awareness fundraiser at our local Ford dealer to support our local hospital mammogram program. And…. We have a fishing club with our five granddaughters!
Ken Johansen
I am extremely honored to be a board member and CPA for the Route 66 Alliance. I hope to lend my 45+ years of experience working with non-profit organizations as an advisor to and member of many boards over the years.
My interest in Route 66 goes back many years. When I lived in Tijeras, I was involved in one of the first motor tours with a group of Airstream Club members. I still hear from folks about what a great time we had.
Professionally, I’m a practicing CPA, most recently in my own firm – previous to that, as the CFO of Presbyterian Healthcare Services and a consultant to the accounting firm of Moss Adams on their hospital audits.
I am looking forward to watching as the Alliance supports Route 66 in New Mexico and does many wonderful things to see that the Mother Road is always an important part of our heritage.