American Camp Association, Chief Operating Officer
Years as a camper: Six summers (1981-1986)
Years on summer staff: 1987-1993, JC, SIC, Sailing UA (2), Sailing UA at Seafarer, Head Counselor of Camp I (2)
Professional Staff:1994 - 1995, Program Director; 2003, Associate Director, 2004 - 2013, Camp Director; 2014 - 2018, Executive Vice President, Camping Services
Please provide a brief history of your Camp story. How were you first introduced to Sea Gull? How has it fit into your professional life and career path?
My father grew up in the mountains of Virginia but loved boats. He was a camper at Sea Gull, then a counselor and a sailing UA. When Seafarer opened in 1961, Capt. Tom made him the Sailing Master of Seafarer, which he did for the first six years the camp was open. With only a brief break to serve in the Vietnam War, he then became a volunteer physician at Seafarer. My first year ever coming to Camp, I was in utero. I never had a year that we didn't spend at least a week at Camp. Then I became a camper, counselor, etc. Now, my two children have completed their time as campers and were both on staff this summer.
Who at Camp was most influential and impactful to you? How so?
Lloyd Griffith was definitely the most impactful person to me during my time at Camp. He became Camp Director when I was a counselor. I worked closely with him as a head counselor, and he encouraged me to join the full-time staff. He has been a professional mentor of mine all along my professional journey. Pete Morasca is a close second. Through my years as a staff member and then a UA, but also when I was his supervisor as the Program Director and Camp Director. He taught me a great deal about responsibility, focusing on what is most important, and good management. He also taught me critical lessons about intentionally recruiting future staff and the importance of staff morale. Plus, we laughed a lot.
Which lessons, values or skills have you carried forward from Camp into your personal and professional life?
It is an impossible task to separate the lessons of Camp from who I am today. Camp has been so central to my life experience that I cannot separate out who I would be without Sea Gull and Seafarer.
What is your greatest Camp accomplishment?
While it would be easy to mention the ranks and recognition I achieved while at Camp, or even just becoming the Camp Director, I really think about something else. I was only a Senior in Charge for one session. That session, we had some challenges in our cabin, but we worked through them and really bonded as a group. That group of boys won Honor Cabin. The role I played in helping that group create the bonds and community they did really stood out for me.
Tell us about your favorite Camp memory.
I could write a book. That being said, Taps is my favorite bugle. After Supper Hour is my favorite time of day. The sound of all the Sunfish slapping the waves at mooring is my favorite sound, along with the raucous Ahoy There in the Mess Hall at dinner on opening day. However, standing on the end of the pier at sunset with the breeze, the sound of the waves, and the sun setting behind the sounds of laughter and fun at cabin nights. That is something truly special.
