Who’s Who – Our Board of Directors
Jeffrey Troiano | Peter Lewis |
Donna L. Lewis | Eric A. Andrews |
Henry J. Weller | Ron Schneider |
Jeffrey Troiano, President
Jeff is an investment advisor who helps individuals and families plan and implement successful retirement strategies. A long time member of the southern Maine community Jeff co-founded an accounting practice and later founded Charter Oak Capital Management where he continues serve as its president and CEO. Jeff began his career because he wanted help people make the right decisions with their money and not be intimidated or paralyzed the complexities of the legal and investment community.
Prior to raising his family with his wife Abby in Kennebunkport, Maine, Jeff graduated from St. Michel’s college and worked in Hartford, New York, and Chicago, as well as spending nine years as a tax consultant in Maine. Jeff is a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor and a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA). In addition, to Jeff’s involvement with the Ogunquit Playhouse, Jeff currently serves as an officer on the boards of South Church Housing Project, Kennebunkport, Cocoon’s School, and Webhannet Golf Club, with prior terms on the Kennebunk Portside Rotary, Children’s House Child Care Program, and Maine School Administrative District 71.College.
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Peter Lewis, First Vice President
Peter is broker/owner of Coastal Realty in York, Maine and assists clients buying and selling residential and commercial real estate in Southern Maine and New Hampshire. Having lived here since graduation of University of New Hampshire 1983, he calls the coast home, with his two children and wife, Alex, Tyler and Doreen respectively.
Peter has enjoyed live theatre throughout his life, from boarding school to military tours with the marines in Europe and the South Pacific and he was delighted to become part of the Ogunquit Playhouse Foundation in 2004 as the Facilities Chair. The 27 acre campus of rehearsal space, Children’s theatre, production prop shop, main stage, auditorium and lodging has been a challenge to update and maintain. It is the top priority and mission of the Foundation to preserve this historical venue for live theatrical productions for generations to come.
Prior to his real estate endeavors, he served 18 years to corporate America where he was a sales manager/specialist for Pitney Bowes in Maine and New Hampshire. From 1995- 1999 he served as president of the Granite State Postal Customer Council and helped spearhead the opening of the National Postal Museum in Washington D.C. Upon his second term as a director of the Ogunquit Playhouse foundation he was nominated and selected as Vice Chair and is quickly learning the intricacies of board development, volunteers, committee chairs, and the nuances of giving and supporting the Arts. His leisure time is spent traveling with his family, enjoying live theatre, gardening, playing tennis and golf in the summer and skiing in the winter.
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Donna L. Lewis, Second Vice President
Donna Lewis and her family bought their summer house in Ogunquit in 1969 and soon became Ogunquit Playhouse season ticket holders. Their love of Ogunquit quickly led to the purchase of an Inn and ever-increasing involvement within the community.
Today they own a number of businesses throughout Ogunquit, York and Wells, with Donna at the helm as General Manager. The Lewis Family was instrumental in saving the old Methodist Church on Shore Road which is now home to Revelations, a quaint gift shop, and Genesis Day Spa.
Proud mother and grandmother, Donna has always been involved in youth programs, and has been very active in the York School System where she was a classroom volunteer and a vital contributor to their mentoring program.
She was on the Admissions Staff at Wellesley College for several years, and served on the Board of Trustees at Bay Path College from 1999 to 2006. She also served as Christian Education Director of the First Parish Church in York from 2000 to 2005.
Donna joined the Board of Directors of the Ogunquit Playhouse in 1999, and has served as Assistant Treasurer and is currently First Vice President. She holds particular interest in furthering the outreach of the Playhouse to the youth in Southern Maine and beyond.
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Eric A. Andrews, Treasurer
Henry J. Weller, Assistant Treasurer
Henry’s long history with the Ogunquit Playhouse began in 1951 when he became John Lane’s business partner. Together, John and Henry ran the Playhouse until John’s retirement in 1994 (John serving as producer and Henry as business manager and in 1964 became general manager.) Henry continued with the business and in 1997 was instrumental in fulfilling John’s wish of insuring the transfer of the theatre to the Ogunquit Playhouse Foundation, a not-for-profit organization with a Board of Directors. Since the transfer, Henry has served as a Foundation Board Member, as the Treasurer from 1998- 2002 and currently as the Assistant Treasurer. He is a retired CPA, or “constant pain in the a..,” as he lovingly refers to it when overseeing the financials! Henry is an invaluable resource of information on the history of the Playhouse and often provides stories of the past with not only facts, but with much humor. He was instrumental in assisting the authors of the recent 75th Anniversary book on the history of the Ogunquit Playhouse, by sharing his many recollections of his years at the Playhouse.
Henry resides in New York City where he retains a few clients in his accounting practice and still maintains his home in Ogunquit.
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Ron Schneider, Clerk/Secretary
Ron is a member of the firm’s litigation department, specializing in health, employment, education and ERISA law. He routinely advises health care professionals on practice issues and represents health care professionals before Maine’s licensing boards. He also advises employers and independent schools on issues involving employees and students. Ron also represents health care professionals and other individuals charged with crimes.
Prior to joining Bernstein Shur, Ron clerked in the Maine Superior Court in Portland, serving Justices Arthur Brennan, Susan Calkins, Roland Cole, Nancy Mills, and Leigh Saufley.
Ron speaks on litigation procedure, as well as issues facing health care providers, schools, and employers. In 1996, Ron authored "A Measure of Our Justice System: A Look at Maine’s Indigent Criminal Defense Delivery System" published in the Maine Law Review.
Ron is a graduation of The University of Maine School of Law, 1996, cum laude; Bates College, 1988 and The Roxbury Latin School, 1984. His is a member and author of Maine Law Review.
He is admitted to practice in the States of Maine and New Hampshire and a member of Maine State Bar Association, New Hampshire Bar Association, Defense Research Institute, Maine Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He serves on the board of the Ogunquit Playhouse and the University of Maine School of Law Alumni Association Board.
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Cathy J. Brown
Nancy M. Conklin
Kristine Cuzzi
Kristine has lived in York, Maine, since 1977 and is now presently residing in Portsmouth, NH. She moved from Boston when she opened The Jewelry Mine in Kittery. She loves working with people, and is a firm believer in volunteering. She has participated in Old York Historical Society Showhouse for the past 10 years, partaking in the planning of the arrival of the Tall Ships in Portsmouth, and Club Finz, a Parrot Head Club of Seacoast New Hampshire and Southern Maine as President. In addition, she is constantly assisting at Special Olympics, Blood Drives, Hampton Seafood Festival, NH Public Auction, Penguin Plunge and whenever she may be contacted by an organization that needs help.
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Glenn Deletetsky
Stephen R. Eberle
Steve Eberle was born in Teaneck, New Jersey and grew up in the suburban town of Upper Saddle River, a fitting background for his deep and diverse interest in outdoor sports and photography. Attending college in Maine proved to be a fortunate choice. While pursuing his B.A. in Business Administration at Nasson College, Steve was able to indulge his avocation of competitive skiing serving as Captain of the ski team.
Upon graduation, Steve accepted a position with Hart Ski Company as Sales Representative and Eastern Technical Representative. During this time, Steve also worked in conjunction with Americana Ski Bindings, traveling with Skiing Magazine as an educator on the technology and safety of alpine ski bindings. Steve later held the position of National Sales Manager of Americana International and developed an international distribution company of downhill ski bindings and winter ski related products. In addition, he successfully assumed these same responsibilities for Cool-Ray Ski/Sport Glasses, Snow-Life Brakes and Sportitalia
Fashion Ski and Tennis Apparel. Returning to New England, Steve became Sales Manager for Kemco Office Products of Portsmouth, New Hampshire successfully building sales volume through a variety of key company responsibilities.
Steve also includes a successful real estate career among his credentials. He established Sun Harbor Realty. The agency specialized in commercial and residential high-end island waterfront properties. Sun Harbor became number one off-site sales broker for Isla Del Sol, General Electric’s top Florida development. Returning to the corporate sector, Steve became Senior Account Executive for Allegiant Management in New Hampshire making a major contribution to the growth of the company.
Combining his extensive sales and marketing background with an entrepreneurial desire Steve founded Canvasworks, Inc. in Ogunquit in 1980 and today serves as owner and President of the company. Canvasworks is a leading marine canvas and full range awning company with ever expending design and fabricating expertise. Successful growth necessitated the move to its present, larger facility in Kennebunk, Maine in the ‘90’s.
Steve served on the Board of Directors of the Marine Fabricators Association and presently sits on the Board of Directors of the Ogunquit Playhouse Foundation. He holds membership in the Kennebunk/Kennebunkport Chamber of Commerce, IFAI (Industrial Fabric Association International) and Marine Fabricators Association.
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Mark K. Forsyth
Mark works for Wells Fargo Equipment Finance in Portsmouth, NH. His background includes six years on the Rye, NH School Board and six years on the Rye Education Foundation Board. He graduated from Middlebury College and has an MBA from the University of Rochester. He and his family are longtime residents of Rye, NH.
Mark’s love of theater began at childhood when his parents took him to live theater. Mark and his wife Diane have continued to be patrons of the theater. They are long time season subscribers of the Ogunquit Playhouse.
Top of PageJim Morgan
Jim is proprietor of a meetings and convention management company, Let's Meet, Inc. He grew up in Iowa, but always dreamed of living in New England. Jim was active in the 4-H Club throughout his childhood and his first job after college was with 4-H, training employees and volunteers to work directly with kids involved in the program. His many years with 4-H took him to Sweden, Dover, New Hampshire and Washington, D.C. While in D.C., Jim started his current business, and following his dream, recently opened a branch in Maine where he now resides and works.
Jim’s relationship with the Playhouse began in the 1970s when he coordinated a theatre program for kids in the New Hampshire 4-H. The program culminated in a trip to the Playhouse to see a show. Ever since, whenever he found himself in New England, he came to see a show.
Last summer Jim was recommended for a position on the Board of Directors by members of the OP governance committee and was invited to join the Board. He also hosted one of the dinner parties for My Fair Feast, a fundraiser to benefit the Education and Outreach programs of the Playhouse, and had such a positive experience he was delighted to accept the invitation. “I am excited to join this legendary cultural institution and to bring my experience in non-profit development and education to further benefit the Playhouse. Its survival is paramount to the foundation of our arts community and I am determined to contribute to its wellbeing so community members and visitors can benefit from the wonderful experience of live theatre for many years to come.”
Board of Directors President, Jeffrey Troiano shared, “All of us are honored to have someone with the experience and background that Jim brings to the table. OP is growing and thriving in these challenging times and welcoming Jim on our Board is an example of that growth.”
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John M. Rhoades
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Michael Severance
Michael Severance of Kennebunkport, was born and raised on his Gooch family’s seaside innkeeping property at the mouth of the Kennebunk River. A graduate of the University of Maine, Orono, he married Sandra Willis (of Gorham, Maine). They have two daughters and sons-in-laws and three grandchildren.
Mike has been on the Board of Directors and was President of the Kennebunk- Kennebunkport Chamber of Commerce and of the Kennebunkport Business Association, is retired as a Colonel from thirty-five years active and reserve US Army duty, and is a retired twenty-seven year volunteer Kennebunk Fire Fighter. Mike is also retired from co-managing with his wife their family innkeeping business, The Seaside Motor Inn and Cottages on Goochs Beach. However, he is still active on the waterfront with his Bay of Maine Boats business (a small boat building company) and with the US Coast Guard Auxiliary as a volunteer.
He is also President of the Maine Chapter of the Association for Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and President of S.O.S. Maine; and is a member of South Congregational Church, Reserve Officers Association (ROA), Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Association of United States Army (AUSA) and the Arundel Yacht Club.
Top of PageLarry Smith
Larry A. Smith began his art career at an early age in Pennsylvania. He had his own darkroom and was a yearbook and school photographer throughout his high school and college years. He worked for the Coatesville Record during those early times. After graduating from Northeastern University with a degree in biochemistry, Larry pursued a scientific career. During those years, his photography was mainly scientific and technical. Several of his photographs were published on the cover of IV Therapy Magazine and he illustrated Preparation of Sterile Particle Free Solutions in the Hospital Pharmacy. In 1986, Larry and his wife Marcy purchased the Ogunquit Camera Shop and moved to Maine. In 1991, the family opened Ocean Exposure in Kennebunk.
In addition to his technical training, Larry has studied painting and photography at the Philadelphia Museum School of Art and at the Maine College of Art. One of his paintings has exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Today, Larry’s passion for art is expressed through photography. Since 1991, Larry has found inspiration in photographing places as he travels here and abroad. He has taught beginning and intermediate photography since 1987. He also expresses his creative skills by custom framing for Ogunquit Camera Shop, Ocean Exposure Editions and Village Framing. Larry is a member of the Photo Marketing Association and the Professional Picture Framers Association. He also serves as a trustee for The Heartwood College of Art, Kennebunk, Maine and is on the Board of Directors and past president of the Ogunquit Playhouse Foundation, Ogunquit, Maine.
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