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Board of Directors

Chairperson

Jack Santos

Jack Santos was a research vice president with Gartner, an information technology advisory service. Before joining Gartner, he held several CIO and technology (including EA) leadership positions in the financial services and healthcare markets.

Jack served at Catholic Medical Center as VP and CIO, where he was responsible for implementing computing infrastructure, clinical applications and architecture, as well as developing wireless infrastructure. He was also an enterprise technology officer for Liberty Mutual Group, and Jack has led IT groups within financial services, software and public-sector advisory organizations (firms such as Aetna, Kaiser Permanente, Uline, and Bowstreet Software). Jack has been honored with Computerworld’s Premier 100 CIO award, has presented at numerous IT and business conferences, and has chaired Portsmouth’s eCoast Technology Roundtable (an economic development effort by the Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce in New Hampshire). Currently he is retired, and has interests in theater and the arts, Newburyport history, and outdoor activities.

Director

Susan Finneran

Susan grew up in Massachusetts and lived subsequently in Indiana, New York, London and Bucharest. She has lived in Newburyport and Newbury for the last thirty years. Susan has worked as a lawyer in New York City, London, Boston and now Newburyport. She was a law professor at a Boston law school, teaching commercial law. Susan graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and received her law degree from Norte Dame Law School. She is admitted to practice law in New York and Massachusetts and admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court.

Prior to embarking on her law career, Susan traveled around the world and has taught high school history and social studies at Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School where she developed a local history course centered around Newburyport. She is an avid reader with a focus on history and political science.

Jenn Bogard

Director

Sharon Spieldenner

Sharon Spieldenner was born in Georgia (Air Force brat), grew up on Cape Cod, lived in Boston, Cambridge, London, New York City and Rockport, and currently resides in Newburyport. Sharon has spent over 18 years working in public and academic library archives and museums and nearly 10 years in the design business as a graphic/multimedia designer and illustrator.

Presently, she works as a librarian and archivist at the Newburyport Public Library and very part-time in the archives at the Museum of Old Newbury. She holds a BA in Art and French from UMASS Boston and a Master’s in Library Science and Archival Management from Simmons University. Between 2003-2012, Sharon volunteered and served on the board of the Schooner Adventure in Gloucester. When in her “spare” time, she enjoys urban exploration, old graveyards, kayaking and painting. Sharon is looking forward to serving on the Newburyport Maritime Society Board and helping the Custom House Maritime Museum any way that she can.

Jenn Bogard

Director

Paul Swindlehurst

Paul Swindlehurst has worked in mission-centered nonprofit organizations where successful fundraising programs were key to growth and development throughout his 30-year career in institutional advancement. Paul served in C-level, executive positions with overall fundraising leadership responsibility, at Merrimack College, The Rashi School, Community Resources for Justice, and The Greater Boston Food Bank.

His experience also includes director of development at Bentley University and director of development for the business school at Northeastern University. Paul also serves as the immediate past president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals – Massachusetts Chapter. (AFP). Through his long association with AFP he has developed a deep knowledge base and rich network of colleagues in all fundraising sectors. Paul’s belief is that civil society and our communities are only as strong as our nonprofit organizations.

Clerk

Jennifer W. Germain

Jennifer Germain, realtor and former owner of Stone Ridge Properties in Newburyport, MA started her career in Boston for Delphi Management, a money management firm with a value investment strategy.

Jennifer’s real estate career began in 1999 and she has been a consistent multi-million dollar producer. She received her BA from the University of New Hampshire and has lived in the area for over 37 years.

Her love of history and the Merrimack River led her to the Custom House Maritime Museum where she hopes to have a positive impact.

Jenn Bogard

Director

Mark Werner

Mark was born in Wisconsin and yes, he is a Cheesehead! He moved to Massachusetts with his wife in the early 1980’s and have lived in Newburyport for over 34 years. With a degree in Business Administration and Public Management, Mark has worked in the consumer products industry for over 42 years with the last 38 years at Gorton’s Seafood as their Director of Sales. Mark has been involved with coaching within the Newburyport youth sport programs as well as serving on various local club committees, supporting efforts on finance, membership, and social events. Involved with his church as past President, Vice-President and currently Elder, Mark also served on a mission trip to the Republic of Congo teaching sessions on church finances and stewardship. If you don’t see Mark around town during the summer, you may want to check the local golf courses! Mark looks forward to working with and supporting the Custom House Maritime Museum.

Treasurer

Charlie Tontar

Charlie Tontar is a Professor Emeritus at Merrimack College where he taught economics with specialties in the History of Economic Thought, Urban and Regional Economics, Environmental Economics, and Labor Economics. He also worked with the City of Lawrence on affordable housing, environmental justice, and economic strategic planning through competitive grants secured from H.U.D. and the E.P.A.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and a Master’s Degree in economics from the Graduate Faculty of the New School for Social Research where he completed all work toward a Ph.D with the exception of the thesis. From 2014 through 2021, Tontar served as a Newburyport City Councilor and chaired the Committee on Budget & Finance and the Committee on Public Utilities. He has also served as a Corporator for First Essex Bank and as a Board member of the Andover School of Montessori.

Jenn Bogard

Director

Jonathan Burke

Jon Burke is the Chief Operating Officer and General Manager at Boston Duck Tours, one of the most iconic brands in Boston. In this role he is responsible for all aspects of the company, employing more than 200 employees, and delighting over 500,000 guests annually. In addition to his day-to-day oversight of Engineering, Operations, Guest Services, Information Technology, and Human Resources, he regularly interacts with a host of government and regulatory agencies, including the United States Coast Guard, Boston Police, State Police, Cambridge Police, Department of Public Utilities, and the cities of Boston and Cambridge.

Prior to joining Boston Duck Tours, he served in several leadership roles at the Museum of Science over the previous 24 years. Upon his departure he was the Chief Operating Officer and responsible for all aspects of the Museum’s operations, including more than 250 employees and a 24/7/365, one million square foot facility with up to 1.5 million visitors each year and a robust on-site live animal collection.

He serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Charles River Cleanup Boat, a 501c3 dedicated to keeping the Charles River clean.

Jonathan lives in Beverly, MA and is an avid outdoorsman, spending much of his free time on the waters of the North Shore with his wife and teenage son boating, sailing, paddling, fishing, collecting sea glass, and scuba diving.

Director

Mary Leen

Mary Leen was associate director of the MIT Museum from 1994 until her retirement in 2021. She has long experience in museums and historical societies, including at the New England Historic Genealogical Society and The Bostonian Society. She also spent nine years in university development at Boston College and MIT with a focus on individual and foundation fundraising. She is a member of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Art Commission for the State House, and has served on the boards of the Association of Academic Museums and Galleries, Ellis Neighborhood Association, Gibson House Museum, New England Chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians, South End Historical Society, and Victorian Society in America/New England Chapter, and as chair of the New England Museum Association’s College – University Museums Professional Affinity Group.
Jenn Bogard

Director

Ted Olsson

Ted Olsson is an active supporter, director and officer in nonprofit organizations, helping to manage, raise much needed funding, and promote organizations that are dedicated to the protection of the environment and wildlife, helping the homeless and those in need, and preserving history.
He is also currently President of Friends of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Inc., a member of the Friends of the Plum Island Lighthouse, the Museum of Old Newbury, the Friends of the Newburyport Public Library, Mass Audubon, Trustees of Reservations, and the First Parish Church of Newbury. In addition, he serves as a volunteer Docent for the Custom House Maritime Museum.

Now semi-retired, he enjoyed a long career as a life science management and business development professional, including serving as vice president for companies in pharmaceutical development and clinical research.

An amateur historian, poet and longtime resident of West Newbury and Newburyport, he also has family connections to its history as a relative of his was married to the last Keeper at the Plum Island Light. Ted is committed to the conservation of our local wildlife and environment resources, the preservation of our local history, education and the special character and quality of life in our corner of Massachusetts.

Vice Chairperson

Nita Lamborghini

Nita Lamborghini is a graduate of Springfield College (BS), The Harvard Extension School (ALM) and the University of New Hampshire (Ph.D.). She began her career as a college field hockey and lacrosse coach at Connecticut College, Tufts University, and Harvard University. Nita left coaching to earn her PhD in sociology, majoring in social inequality and American social history.

After teaching sociology for several years, she moved into college administration. Nita ended her career in higher education at Northern Essex Community College where she served as the dean of students. Nita grew up sailing on the south shore and loves all things nautical. She is hoping to use both her professional and personal experiences to support and protect the CHMM mission and purpose.

Director

Robert Cronin

Bob Cronin is a retired Master Mariner who served in local and regional law enforcement for over 32 years.

After 27 years with Andover (MA) Police Department, Bob was recruited by the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office to form and command their new Marine Unit, retiring as a Deputy Superintendent. He was also lead instructor of the North Shore (MA) Harbormaster Academy and taught various subjects at regional police academies.

He also owned and operated a boat accident investigation consulting firm for twenty years which was located in Newburyport. Northeast Watercraft Accident Reconstruction Specialists served clients throughout the lower 48 and the Caribbean. Bob was a nationally certified instructor in boat accident investigation.

Locally, Bob served on the Harbor Commission for eight years before serving four terms on the Newburyport City Council.

Bob has a passion for history, especially Age of Sail naval history and is a member of the U.K. based “1805 Club”. Bob and family have been active in the Greater Newburyport boating community for over three decades.

Staff

  • [James Russell, Executive Director - jrussell@thechmm.org
  • [Kathleen Brittan, Development Officer - kbrittan@thechmm.org
  • [Verity Boyer, Education Coordinator - vboyer@thechmm.org
  • [Julia Bradley, Collections Coordinator - jbradley@thechmm.org
  • [Grant Bellino, Visitor Services - gbellino@thechmm.org
  • [For general information, please contact info@thechmm.org
  • [For questions about Membership, please contact membership@thechmm.org