10/28/2025

An open letter from Katie Batcheller

It was October 2024 when it officially started for me. Jamil and the interim Director, Mel, called us in for an all-staff meeting regarding the removal of the previous interim director, Jarod. Jamil had proposed a question to the group, asking what we were looking for in a new director for the museum. Sherry raised her hand and said that the museum really needed someone with “project management skills and wasn’t going to try and fix things that weren’t broken”. Jamil, without hesitation, began to slam his hand on the table in protest, raised his voice to an unnecessary volume, and said “You don’t have the qualifications for this job”.

You could hear crickets. Everyone’s eyes opened wide and stared at the toxic ping pong game that now took place. Not only did that not have anything to do with what Sherry said, she, serving decades in the military and managing billion-dollar budgets for her department, has more than enough qualifications to run this museum. Naturally, she defended herself and said as much, ending with “I’m happy to show my resume.” Jamil kept interrupting her while slamming his hand on the table, getting louder and louder while denying her qualifications, ultimately saying to us all, but staring directly at Sherry, “If anyone sitting in this room doesn’t like what I have to say, you can get up and leave right now. I will accept this as your resignation.”

(But you may be asking yourself, why did Jerod get hired? Because Jamil screamed at then Director Greg, for reasons unknown to me, who then resigned shortly after this mistreatment).

This act of childish behavior came from the March Field Air Museum’s Board President. Someone that should be a leader, open to hearing constructive criticism from other board members and staff. Not someone that belittles a decorated veteran, a hard-working US citizen, and a dedicated mother.

The tone of the museum took a drastic turn for the worst. Constant toxicity from management regarding interactions between Jamil led me to file a complaint against Jamil with the State of California Civil Rights Department on November 24, 2024. While there was no movement on my case, as I was not the direct victim, I hope that it gave Sherry the courage to file her own complaint.

As a former employee of the March Field Air Museum, I will not tolerate the harassment and unnecessary termination of Sherry and her assistant, Karla. After speaking with Jeff, he said that the pressure they put on Jamil led him to re-hire Tyston, which is a small step in the right direction. But Karla and Sherry have done nothing to deserve this treatment. They are some of the hardest working individuals at that museum, and take great pride and care in their duties, going above and beyond that is in their job description to care for the museum. In my humble opinion, along with Jeff, they are two of the handful of people that hold the museum together. I will be happy to support them in whatever way that I can, and making this post to you is my start.

10/26/2025

We are working on submitting complaints, gathering information, and alerting everyone and anyone about the plans to destroy the museum.

ALSO - a MARCH for MARCH rally is being organized. Stay tuned!

10/25/25

Here are the most recent updates.

  • In a phone call today, VP Gutierrez confirmed the Executive Committee has hired a new Executive Director for the March Field Air Museum.

    He did not give a name but said the individual was from the Nixon Library.

  • Gutierrez also confirmed Jamil and he were pressing forward with their original plan to remove the library / archives and sell aircraft and artifacts to fund the Dada Memorial Events/ Welcome Center.

  • Because of Dada and Gutierrez’s new plan for the March Field Air Museum the museum just lost $56,000. The donors decided they will not give to the museum unless those who were laid off and resigned are brought back and Dada and Gutierrez resign.

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