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.

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.

In “retirement” Ellie works as an historic house researcher for the Newburyport Preservation Trust’s Plaque Program and as a teacher and guide for Historic New England. She also serves on the Ring’s Island Neighborhood Preservation District Committee, and the Board of Directors of the Friends of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Her home of over thirty years is on Ring’s Island in Salisbury where she enjoys her pets, gardening and her family.

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.

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.

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.

sbernhard@thechmm.org

Susan Bernhard, a lifelong learner and enthusiastic world traveler, enjoys history, art, gardening and outdoor sports. Owner of Northeast Tactical Sales Inc. she has thirty years of experience developing and promoting domestic and international companies specializing in mechanical and electromechanical manufacturing. Her love of the Merrimack River began while at Lowell Technological Institute (aka UMASS Lowell) as a biology and environmental engineering student.

Susan was a member of the first Merrimack River Watershed Commission, as well a researcher on the Aswan Dam Project Egypt when acquiring her master’s degree. Susan’s volunteering background includes Custom House Maritime Museum past Chair; past Vice Chair; Wakefield Food Pantry BOD; Girl Scouts; St Joseph’s School Finance Board; School Board and PTO, Tewksbury Conservation Commission. Susan and her husband Jeff reside in Newburyport.

Staff