Who became chair of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission in 2022?

Rosie Rios became chair of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission in 2022. President Joe Biden designated her for the position in July of that year.

Rios is a former treasurer of the United States and had first been appointed to the commission in January 2018. Her appointment placed an experienced public official at the head of the organization as preparations for the 2026 anniversary accelerated.

She replaced Dan DiLella as chair. DiLella remained a commissioner after the leadership change, which can cause confusion when older planning materials list him in connection with the commission.

The commission’s chair is distinct from the organization’s chief executive officer. Joe Daniels, who had previously worked at the 9/11 Memorial Museum, served as America250’s CEO before resigning in 2022. Rios’s role was commission chair, not CEO.