Board of Trustees
The Hudson River Maritime Museum Board of Trustees leads the museum's governance practices. Volunteer members ensure programs provide exceptional value to residents and visitors now and into the future.
Officers
Board Members
To contact a board member, please use our contact page to speak to the Executive Director.
Officers
- Allan Bowdery - President
- Dale Wolfield - 1st Vice President
- Brian Johnson - 2nd Vice President
- Bob Burhans - Treasurer
- Shelly Wright - Secretary
Board Members
- Stephen Digilio
- David Eaton
- Huntley Gill
- Mark Heller
- Jesse Hicks
- Ann Loeding
- Frank Marcigliano
- Mark Peckham
- Daniel Proctor
- Nick Rothlein
- Bill Ryan
- Ian Westergren
To contact a board member, please use our contact page to speak to the Executive Director.
Join our Board
Think you can help HRMM continue to provide exceptional value for the public? We are seeking applications for new members of the Board of Trustees. Learn more about the board experience in the Board Prospectus. Ready to apply? Complete an Application and return it to us along with your resume, or you can apply online. Positions are open until filled.
Meet the Trustees
Allan Bowdery retired from a career as a maritime lawyer in NYC. He is a graduate of Columbia College, Columbia University and New York Law School. He continues to act as an arbitrator in maritime disputes. He has been an officer on various not-for-profit boards. For HRMM he has been President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, and Treasurer. He lives with his wife in New Paltz. Allan enjoys cooking, reading mystery books, birding, gardening, and dealing with an almost 200 year old house.
Bob Burhans is currently a consultant in health emergency management including the preparedness, response and recovery from health emergencies. Immediately after 9/11, he was appointed to serve as the first Director of Health Emergency Preparedness for the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH). With 34 years of public health experience at both the state and local level, Mr. Burhans led the state’s Office of Health Emergency Preparedness, which coordinated NYSDOH’s comprehensive all-hazards preparedness and response activities, including integrating local health departments and the state’s health care system in readiness and response activities. Mr. Burhans earned a B.A. in Biological Science from the State University of New York, New Paltz, and has completed graduate level coursework at the Nelson A. Rockefeller School of Public Administration and the State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany School of Public Health. He is a graduate of the SUNY Albany School of Public Health’s Northeast Public Health Leadership Institute and has completed the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and School of Public Health.
Stephen Digilio worked for Morgan Stanley as a Financial Advisor, Portfolio Manager, and CFP before retiring in 2018. He is a graduate of Poughkeepsie High School and Marist College. He served in the US Army Reserves 1969–1975, Honorable Discharge, SSG E-6. Stephen has volunteered on the boards of Dutchess County United Way, Dutchess County Council of Girl Scouts, Ulster County SPCA, Benedictine Hospital Advisory Board, and Poughkeepsie Tennis Club, among others.
He is past Commodore of the Kingston Sailing Club and a current Trustee of the Kingston Power Boat Association as well as past Rear Commodore, Fleet Captain and Secretary. He served as the president of HRMM Board of Trustees from 2007-2009. Stephen enjoys golf, sailing, history, and classic cars. He lives with his wife, Paula, in Kingston and Sarasota, Florida.
He is past Commodore of the Kingston Sailing Club and a current Trustee of the Kingston Power Boat Association as well as past Rear Commodore, Fleet Captain and Secretary. He served as the president of HRMM Board of Trustees from 2007-2009. Stephen enjoys golf, sailing, history, and classic cars. He lives with his wife, Paula, in Kingston and Sarasota, Florida.
David Eaton is currently the Vice President of Enrollment Management at the State University of New York at New Paltz. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy his Master’s degree in Public Administration from Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan. He continued graduate study and research at the Rockefeller School of Public Affairs in Albany. Mr. Eaton has been involved in higher education administration for 40 years. As Vice President of Enrollment Management, he has been the principal architect of New Paltz’s new student recruitment and marketing strategies that have resulted in unprecedented growth in the popularity and selectivity of New Paltz’s undergraduate programs. He has led the institution’s efforts to establish a comprehensive and strategic integrated brand marketing strategy for the campus. Additionally, Mr. Eaton has been involved with the development of overseas programs and exchange agreements with universities and colleges in England, Germany, Sweden, Greece, the Czech Republic, and China. David Eaton is an avid outdoorsman, boater, cyclist, Alpine skier, a musician, and the father of three children; all of whom, to his relief, have successfully completed one or more university degrees and are gainfully employed in the profession of their choice.
Huntley Gill is an architectural preservationist and planner with Guardia Architects in Manhattan and is a maritime preservationist as an avocation. He has a 22 year involvement with various projects in Hudson Valley in preservation, planning and waterfront access. He is an alumni of Vassar and of the Graduate School of Architecture, Preservation and Planning at Columbia University. He holds a 200 ton USCG license, is President of the Columbus Avenue Business Improvement District in Manhattan, and is a Trustee of Save Our Ships New York (restoring and operating the historic fireboat John J. Harvey), Friends of Clermont in Germantown, Hudson River Park Advisory Council in Manhattan and of the North River Historic Ship Society. He lives on the river in Germantown and on the Upper West Side in Manhattan with his husband, Juan Carlos Merlo.
Mark Heller has been a Production Partner at the Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase since 2013. This world-renowned annual three-day event is an invitational festival for the international community of acoustic stringed-instrument builders, players, collectors and aficionados, presenting the finest handmade acoustic guitars and stringed musical instruments, and music played on them, from around the world.
Mark retired in 2013 from Cardinal Health as Senior Director of Physician Networks in Oncology & Hematology. Prior to that he held similar management positions with Bristol Myers Squibb, Hoffmann- La Roche & AmerisourceBergen.
Mark has been a HRMM volunteer Lighthouse Docent guiding group tours out to the lighthouse for the past 15 years. He and his wife Aviva have done extensive national and International travel, both for business and pleasure, visiting over 35 countries worldwide. They have lived on the Hudson River in Ulster Park since 1992 and both share a passion for all things River related.
Mark retired in 2013 from Cardinal Health as Senior Director of Physician Networks in Oncology & Hematology. Prior to that he held similar management positions with Bristol Myers Squibb, Hoffmann- La Roche & AmerisourceBergen.
Mark has been a HRMM volunteer Lighthouse Docent guiding group tours out to the lighthouse for the past 15 years. He and his wife Aviva have done extensive national and International travel, both for business and pleasure, visiting over 35 countries worldwide. They have lived on the Hudson River in Ulster Park since 1992 and both share a passion for all things River related.
Jesse Hicks is a local business owner and analyst. Born and raised on the Rondout Creek, Jesse is a 4th generation descendant of the Roberti Family – proprietors of Lou’s Boat Basin. He has a vast range of experience - over 10 years in small scale entrepreneurship and 6 years’ experience in Strategy Operations for Startup & Global Enterprises in Boston, MA. Jesse is owner/operator of A Day Away Kayak Rentals, where he developed a small local paddle sport livery from two kayaks and $100. Jesse has co-created business and organizational development functions for global enterprises – one enterprise turning from two employees to over eighteen, within three global regions, and was responsible for over $10M in attributable new revenue within one year.
Brian Johnson is retired from Citigroup, were he spent 24 years in various financial roles, most recently on the distressed debt trading desk, where he was responsible for overseeing significant principal risk positions, as well as serving on creditor committees and participating in debt restructurings. Brian was previously the Head of Bank Loan Research at Salomon Smith Barney, and the Head of High Yield Bond Research at Citicorp Securities. Brian graduated from the University of Rochester with a B.A. in Economics, and from Columbia University Graduate School of Business with an M.B.A. in Finance. Brian grew up in Kingston, NY, where his family was active in the local community, and currently resides in Staatsburg, NY and New York City. Brian enjoys getting out on his sailboat on the Hudson River, as well as cruising in Maine during the summer.
Frank Marcigliano graduated from St. John’s University School of Law and worked as a maritime lawyer specializing in maritime insurance and transportation. He served on the planning board of the Town of Hyde Park as well as in the Peace Corps in India where he built wells and canals to expand access to fresh water. Frank enjoys being involved in the museum’s Boat Building School and is an ardent supporter of its woodworking classes which teach youth the art of building boats. Each year he looks forward to the school’s lineup of classes and seminars. Frank is co-chair of the board’s Education Committee. He lives in Rhinebeck and enjoys spending time in Kingston’s Rondout region where he can explore old buildings. Frank grew up in New York City and has lived in the Hudson Valley for over 20 years.
Mark Peckham is a lifelong maritime history enthusiast who lives with his wife Shauna in the historic Hudson River hamlet of New Baltimore. He retired in 2015 from a career in Historic Preservation, where he was employed by the City of Seattle, an Albany architectural firm, and the New York State Division for Historic Preservation. While employed by New York State he served as the National Register Program Coordinator, Field Services Bureau Director and Bureau of Historic Sites Director. He also served as Executive Secretary to the New York State Board for Historic Preservation and as a member of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission. In addition to history, Mark enjoys sailing, illustration and carving ship models.
Nick Rothlein is Owner/Operator at Rondout Yacht Basin in Connelly which he has run with his brother Andrew since 2016. Born and raised in Kingston, Nick lived in Northern California for 8 years and graduated from Humboldt State University double majoring in Recreation Administration and Business Administration. Nick was awarded the Marinas.com Young Leader Award in 2020 and the yacht basin was designated a Boaters' Choice Winner in 2016 through 2020.
Nick values the historical significance of our region’s local lighthouses as well as HRMM’s education programs which enable people to have positive and meaningful experiences on the River.
Nick values the historical significance of our region’s local lighthouses as well as HRMM’s education programs which enable people to have positive and meaningful experiences on the River.
Bill Ryan has led Product Development Engineering and Site Operations during his 31 year career with the IBM Corporation. He presently works for AcBel Polytech Inc a Taiwan based company where he set up and managed support centers in the U.S. and Europe, and serves as Regional Director for the company's operations in the U.S. and Mexico. He has an MBA in Finance and BA in Physics from Marist College.
Bill has served on the board for over 10 years and is a member of the Finance committee. He is active in a number of community organizations in Ulster County and looks forward to supporting the museum’s mission and programming. He lives in Hurley with his wife Arlene.
Bill has served on the board for over 10 years and is a member of the Finance committee. He is active in a number of community organizations in Ulster County and looks forward to supporting the museum’s mission and programming. He lives in Hurley with his wife Arlene.
Ian Westergren, born and educated in Sweden, spent the first 25 years of his career in journalism as a reporter, editor and foreign correspondent for United Press International overseas and in the United States. He started his own software and information company 30 years ago and is still active as the Executive Chairman of SPW, Inc., also known as The Sports Wire. Ian, a past Commodore of the Kingston Sailing Club, owned his first sailboat as a teenager in Sweden and has been been an avid sailor all his life and is still racing sailboats on the Hudson River and Long Island Sound. He lives on the river in Port Ewen, New York, minutes away from the Roundout marina where he keeps his boat “Puck” – named after the character in Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”.
Dale Wolfield has been a Trustee since 2007. She serves as advisory for Vessel Donations/Sales as well as for the Riverport Sailing & Rowing School. She also tends the gardens at HRMM. Past service includes support for the Woodstock Artists Association and Museum where she is a life member. Dale obtained graduate degrees at SUNY New Paltz and is an exhibiting artist with 30 years experience in visual arts education at the secondary and university level. She is active in one design yacht racing and off-shore regattas, and has served as a sailing instructor and captain for local commercial ventures. Dale is an avid skier and volunteers with the National Ski Patrol in the winter months.
Shelly Wright is Chief of Staff and Vice President for Communication and oversees daily operations of the President’s Office at the State University of New York at New Paltz. She directs executive and institutional communication and the university’s interaction with its many internal and external constituencies. As Vice President for Communication, Shelly Wright directs the university’s strategic communication efforts. She supervises the Office of Communication and Marketing. A first-generation college student, she earned her B.A. in journalism and German at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, in 1987, and spent her junior year as an exchange student in Bonn, Germany. She earned her M.S. in journalism from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism in 1990. She has completed doctoral coursework in sociology, communication and higher education administration at the University at Albany. She resides in New Paltz with her husband, Lee, who is a SUNY New Paltz alumnus.
Honor Board
In 2017, the Hudson River Maritime Museum invited all board members who ever served to join a special Honor Board. As the Hudson River Maritime Museum looks to the future, we wish to honor those who have served the organization. We look to these former board members for their wisdom and experience as we continue to grow.
Honor Board
If you have ever served on the Board of Trustees for the Hudson River Maritime Museum and would like to join the Honor Board, please contact Lisa Cline at lcline@hrmm.org.
Honor Board
- Raymond Armater
- Alan Bendelius
- Anna Brett
- Mary Brookings Andrews
- Robert Carlzon
- John Crist
- Diane DeChillo
- Daniel Devine
- Annmarie Dwyer
- Joseph W. Fleming
- Jay Hogan
- Scott Johnson
- Peter E. Kane
- Allynne Lange
- Russel Lange
- Marita Lopez-Mena
- Fred Mangelsdorf
- Carolyn Millonig
- Ralph Mills
- David Price
- Lillian Schecter
- John Shults
- Daniel Shuster
- Jim Sperry
- John Stephenson
- Gregg Swanzey
- Francesca Szabadi
- Jack Weeks
- Michael Wholey
- Joyce Wright
If you have ever served on the Board of Trustees for the Hudson River Maritime Museum and would like to join the Honor Board, please contact Lisa Cline at lcline@hrmm.org.