Mr. Peter F. Herschend

Appointed: April 2000
Class: 2013

Peter Herschend lives in Branson, Missouri. He holds a B.A. from the University of Missouri-Columbia and an honorary doctorate in business administration from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri.

He and his brother, Jack, are partners in Herschend Family Entertainment (HFE), which owns, operates or partners in 19 properties in nine states, including the Silver Dollar City theme parks in the Midwest, Dollywood in the Smokey Mountains, and Stone Mountain Park in Georgia.

Peter has worked to improve tourism, roads, water quality and education in Missouri, including serving 13 years on the State Board of Education.

An avid fundraiser on behalf of those with multiple sclerosis, Peter participates in the MS150 Bike Tour, generating over $800,000 over 14 years. He also supports Camp Barnabas, a Christian camp for children with terminal illnesses.

Married 38 years, Peter and his wife, JoDee, have five children and seven grandchildren. They worship at James River Assembly in Springfield, Missouri.