Board of Directors

Chairperson
Robert Cronin
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.
Vice President
Thom Gould
While always interested in the Custom House building and its contents, the Newburyport CHMM is of particular interest to Thom due to a familial connection. His uncle, Herbert E. Bean was involved early in the CHMM and was Treasurer, Director and Director Emeritus spanning the period from 1973 to 1999. A former CHMM Board member from 2014 to 2020, Thom served as Chair from 2014-2016 and Clerk from 2018-2020.


Treasurer
Charlie Tontar
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.
Clerk
Jennifer W. Germain
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.

Director
Ellie Bailey
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.


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.

Director
Ted Olsson
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.
Director
Mary Leen


Director
Sharon Spieldenner
Director Emeritus
Susan Bernhard
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.


Director
Nita Lamborghini
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
Thomas Coleman


Director
John Mauger
Rear Admiral John W. Mauger, USCG (Ret.) is a seasoned maritime executive with 33+ years in national security leadership. As Commander of the First Coast Guard District, he led 12,000 personnel across New England, implementing advanced security technologies including counter-drone systems.
RADM Mauger led the high-profile TITAN submersible search and recovery operation in 2023. At U.S. Cyber Command, he pioneered a cloud-based training environment that modernized cyber readiness.
His earlier career included Pacific and Bering Sea sailing as a shipboard engineer. He developed international maritime safety standards that protected mariners, created markets for alternative fuels, and established a Polar regions protection code.
Now a consultant, John applies his expertise to help clients navigate complex maritime and critical infrastructure challenges. He resides with his family in Newburyport where they enjoy exploring the coastal communities.
Director
Donald P. Roberts
With the cutback in 1975 of Air Force personnel after Viet Nam. I entered inactive reserve status until 1981 when I entered active reserve status as a chaplain. I served in various Air Bases on the East coast and rose to the level of Lt. Colonel. In 1996, I was assigned as the Air National Guard Assistant Chaplain to the Command Chaplain in the Pacific Air Command and promoted to Full Colonel. I volunteered to support Air Force activities in Colombia, South America and Bosnia-Herzegovina where it was my privilege to serve on a Joint NATO Mission as the Command Chaplain. I retired in 2002.
During my 35 years of ministry, I served as Rector in parishes from rural to large suburban churches. I served in three Episcopal schools in Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina as a Chaplain/teacher/administrator. During my last five years of ministry, I served on a Bishop’s staff as the COO of the diocese, retiring in 2013.
Marylyn and I have been married for 46 years. We have three grown children and three growing grandchildren. Without Marylyn’s support my dual career could not have developed as it did. Upon retirement we settled in our home in Amesbury, MA.

Staff
- [James Russell, Executive Director - [email protected]
- [Julia Bradley, Collections & Programs Manager - [email protected]
- [General information - [email protected]
- [Questions about Membership - [email protected]