Meet Our Board
Rachael Wilson Ristau
Founder & Director
Rachael is a dedicated member of the FMG Board of Directors and is ecstatic to play a role in the garden’s future growth. Like her fellow board members and FMG volunteers, she values community togetherness and creating a safe place for individuals to grieve. After facilitating a grief group at Wellwood Middle School in 2009 & 2010, Rachael believed building FMG, a setting for reflection, was necessary for residents struggling to overcome feelings of loneliness, especially for our young people. More thankful than ever, she often cannot believe her vision became a reality and would like to thank all the various players who made it possible.
Since the FMG’s construction Rachael has graduated from Wells College with a degree in psychology and business management, attained an MA in Global Thought from Columbia University and an MPA from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs. Today, Rachael works in the field of corporate social responsibility, driven by the belief that all sectors can and should contribute to making the world a better place.
Sean Foran
Construction Manager
Sean has been a proud and active member of the Fayetteville Manlius Community now for over 30 years. Sean is the Executive Project Manager at Hueber-Breuer Construction Company and has managed over $80 million dollars in commercial construction since 2004. Local projects include Holy Cross Church, DeWitt Fire Station, YMCA of Fayetteville (addition), Minoa Municipal Building, and The Fayetteville Fire Station. Sean has served on past boards including 14 years with FM Pop Warner and 6 years with Vera House. Sean managed the construction of The Memory Garden, and has made a long term commitment to support and enhance the garden's growth. Sean and his wife Mary reside in Fayetteville. They are the proud parents of Meghan, Tim, Paddy, and Matt, each of whom have left the nest but still call Fayetteville home.
Pete Tynan
Senior Citizen Center Liaison
Peter Tynan is a retired Sgt. of Detectives for the Syracuse Police Department. He led the Investigators for the Onondaga County District Attorney's Office for eight years, before becoming a supervisor at the Chrysler/New Process Gear plant for 13 yrs. When the plant closed in 2012, he delivered mail in the Fayetteville area for two years before retirement. For the past five years, he continues to drive ambulances for the Fayetteville Fire Department. Besides the Memory Garden, Peter is a member of the Board of the Fayetteville Senior Center.
Hunter J. Hillers
Hunter sells radio advertising for B104.7, Y94, Hot 107.9, Power 620, NewsRadio 570 WSYR and 106.9. Ms. Hillers is an active community member and currently serves as the Fundraising Chair for Prevention Network and as Co-Captain of the Executive Women’s Golf Association’s Green Lakes League. She is grateful for her family, Austin George, August George and Rachael Ristau who support her community involvement.