Long before Cherie Koss ever dreamed of becoming executive director of The L. Alan Cruikshank River of Time Museum, her parents bought some of the first real estate lots and built a home in the developing community.

The family moved from Detroit to what her father, Norm, referred to as “God’s country.” Koss’ professional career as an executive in non-profit organizations in California ranges from the Girl Scouts of Northern California in the Mendocino area to animal connection coordinator at the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park.

After her father’s death in 2015, Koss returned to Fountain Hills to be closer to her mother. She was at the right place at the right time when the museum posted a vacancy for the position.

Koss was appointed interim director in January and was recently named to the part-time position with “full-time responsibility,” she noted. She is the third director to guide the museum.

“I’m very big on strategic planning and so I’m taking a lot of time to evaluate what we have now,” said Koss.

The museum board of directors adopted a mission plan under the previous director.

“The level of dedication and involvement of the volunteers here is phenomenal,” commented Koss. “They are very committed to growing, but it’s premature to say what form expansion will take.”

Koss said she will build on the volunteers’ vitality and become more active in the community.

She envisions the museum partnering with other organizations. The astrology club is donating a telescope, around which a program and display will be built.

“We want to encourage organizations to use our space,” said Koss.

A new program will be two-week summer camp for third to fifth grade pupils at the end of June. The camp, “Time Travellers Summer Camp,” will involve geology; “Rockin’ Rocks”; history, “Holding down the Fort”; natural history, “Desert Dwellers”, and astronomy, “Astronomical Antics.”

High school students will be trained to mentor the camp participants. Also, a new education advisory committee has been created to reach out to families and people who are not frequent visitors.

Koss’ husband, Doug Waldo, has been involved in Phoenix’s Stage 55, Tempe’s Stray Cat and Cosmonauts Sketch Comedy productions.

They have a 21-year-old daughter, a junior at the University of Hawaii, where she is studying marine biology, particularly sharks.

Summer hours will become effective May 1. The hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

The museum’s largest fundraising event, the annual Italian dinner, is scheduled for Aug. 12.