Foundation Board

Aaron Plunk

President

I became aware of the Preston Castle a few years back when I started going to the October haunted house. I went for about 3 years in a row and became curious about what the castle looked like when it’s not Halloween. In 2023 I started to volunteer during events and fell in love with the Castle overnight. I helped build the 2023 haunt and saw all the effort that went into in first hand. After that I started to sign up to volunteer for everything I could. I got to know the people that are dedicated to the castle and that motivated me even more as we all have the same drive to restore this beautiful building.

I enjoy being at Preston as much as I can. I like seeing the money raised going into the castle to restore it . I am honored to become a board member and look forward to what the foundation will do in the coming years to help build it back to what it once was.

Jim Bennett

Vice President

I was born and raised in Amador a county. I started very young in the fire service and the auto parts industry. The fire service has always been my first love.

I now am a full time fire apparatus engineer with the City of Ione Fire Department. I got involved with the Preston castle about 5 years ago when the fire chief had us staff an engine for the Haunt. Since then I have taken on many other projects with the castle as far as minor repairs and the committee chair for the Preston Castle Haunt.

This year I also have become a board member with the Preston Castle Foundation. I have a true love for public service and the castle. Once it gets in your blood it is hard not to love it. I am married with 2 adult sons and reside in Ione.

Sybil Griffith

Administrative Assistant

I was born in San Francisco but moved to Ione at age 3 when my dad was hired as a Parole Agent for The Preston School of Industry. I have lived the majority of my life in Ione and have always been intrigued by the Castle.

I soon found that volunteering for Preston Castle Foundation would become my passion. The history, the building and the people that keep things moving forward are amazing. After several years of running tours at the Castle I was offered the position of Administrative Assistant to the Foundation President. I retired from my position with ACUSD and took on my new role in March of 2022.

I am thankful for the path that brought me here, the life experiences my dad gave me and the support I receive from the members of my community.

Karl Knobelauch

Secretary/Treasurer

I spent my grade school years in Omaha, Nebraska where I was born.  My family moved to the suburbs of San Francisco when I was entering junior high school.  While attending Sacramento State College I met my wife Patty, who is a fifth generation member of an Ione farming family.  We married after college and lived in Novato, California.  We moved to the family farm outside of Ione in 1981.  In 2006 I retired after a thirty-seven year career in local law enforcement.

During the last thirty years of living in Ione the Preston Castle has been the iconic symbol of Ione’s history.  I see the Preston Castle from the back of my house and every time I drive into Ione.  After I retired I decided that I wanted to give some of my time to preserving the Preston Castle, so that future generations will be able to see the place where California started to bring a better future for youthful offenders.

Karl serves on the Events, Finance, Site Development, Bylaws, and Kitchen Committees.

Rod W. Burton, III

Board Member

I was born in Columbus, OH and raised in Pittsburgh, PA where my family was in the steel business. I received my bachelor’s degree in History from Roanoke College in Virginia and my Juris Doctorate from UOP McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, CA. After practicing law for a large firm in the valley for many years, I opened up a small law firm in Sutter Creek where I live. I also work at a local winery on weekends.

I am in agreement with the rest of board, in my feeling that Preston Castle represents the “preeminent landmark in Amador County” and an important part of the County’s rich history. I am honored to sit on the Board to assist it in any way I can to help preserve and restore this majestic building.

Donna Munson

Board Member

Born in Michigan, I grew up an “army brat”, traveling & living all over the U.S. Tired of snow, we came to Sacramento when my dad retired. I graduated from Elk Grove High School, then attended Sac City College while working for the State of California. I then worked at the Sacramento Army Depot until I joined the Army myself. After training, I was assigned to Nuremberg, Germany, where I met my husband to be, who was from lone. In 1976 we were married & came home to meet each other’s family; that was when I had my first up-close visit to the Preston Castle. It was condemned & in terrible shape, but was such a beautiful building that I was instantly hooked!

There were several more visits over the years, but raising a family & working at the USPS took up all my time. In 2010, after an early retirement, I learned that tours were being given through the castle, so I took one & found the volunteer opportunity that I had been looking for! I’ve now been a docent at Preston since 2011, leading hundreds of visitors through Preston Castle & sharing it’s history.

I enjoy talking to people from all over & seeing the expressions on their faces as they take in the magnificence of the Castle for the first time. I’m proud of being a PCF board member & sharing in the restoration of this beautiful building with a dedicated group of volunteers who give so much of their time & love. No matter how often I see Preston Castle, I still get goosebumps every time -1 hope that feeling never goes away!

David Barnes

Board Member

I was born in Sacramento and grew up in Folsom, CA. My wife Rebecca and I moved our family to Ione in May of 2000 to raise our kids. I have a background of 33 years of Corporate Retail Leadership. In 2020 I opened Ione Sweets, an ice cream and nostalgic candy shop on Main St. In downtown Ione.

I first got involved with the castle in 2014 with my daughter Emily to help with the Haunt. Since then, my entire family has been involved. My wife helps collect tickets at the door. My son Greg also helps and has played the role of the Castle superintendent since 2019. 
Over the past 7 years, I have assisted in helping with the Haunt, Christmas at the castle, movie night and becoming a docent. It is a true privilege to be on the Board of Directors as we work together toward restoring Preston Castle.

I am currently in charge of leading the Landscape crew and committee. I look forward to continuing to bring beauty to the castle and the grounds with our many volunteers and community.

Anita Thomas

Board Member

Born and raised in Sacramento, my husband and I moved to Ione when we retired after 34+ years each with Sacramento County.

I have been a castle volunteer since 2010, all of it in the Gift Shop. I love spending time in this beautiful building and am excited to see the completion of various projects. The to-do list is long but we are working through it and progress is evident in the paved parking lot, roof and gutter repairs, the recent progress to the wrap-around porch, and several infra-structure fixes that are difficult to see but make the building healthier.

Bill Thiry

Board Member

I’m originally from Chicago IL. But grew up in the SF Bay area and moved to the foothills in 1990. I never really knew anything about the castle until I moved to Ione in 2008. I visited the castle for a tour and then I was hooked. Loved the architecture and history.

I was talked into becoming a tour docent, which I accepted graciously and started learning everything I could of its history. In 2009 I was elected on to the board of directors and since have volunteered countless hours dedicated to the Foundation and our mission.

During the last 13 years, I have served as Building Chairman, Facilities Mgr, Television and Film production chairman, Haunt Chairman, and organized numerous fundraising events. I have served on and continue to serve on numerous foundation committees. My dream is to hopefully someday see the building restored !!

Oh and Yes, I have seen our ghost friends too.