Meet The Board
Rick Desrochers - Executive Director
Throughout his career, running a construction company in Florida, managing a resort in Michigan, and leading a non- profit, Rick Desrochers has been driven by a passion for creating community partnerships and striving to bring out the best in people. It was this love of community that brought him back to his home state of Vermont. As Executive Director of Memphremagog Community Maritime and the Northern Star, he is looking forward to working with the community and establishing the organization as an important part of the Northeast Kingdom.
David M. Converse - President
David M. Converse was born and raised in Newport. He is currently President of MCM and MWA (Memphremagog Watershed Association). He is past president of Newport Rotary Club. David has been in the funeral service for over 40 years. He loves Newport and Lake Memphremagog and wants to see them thrive.
Mark Hayes - Vice President
BIO COMING SOON
Susan Watson - Treasurer
“The Lake. Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits.” Satchel Paige.
Susan has volunteered extensively which doesn’t allow much time for sitting. Joined the group that designed the new Derby Elementary School which took handicapped children out of basement classrooms and integrated them with their peers. The VT Governor’s Council which wrote the law ensuring the Education of Handicapped Children in the Least Restrictive Environment. She served on the boards of Derby Elementary School, Newport Chamber of Commerce, Greater Boston Professional Women, founding member of MWA, and presently Treasurer of the Northern Star (MCM Inc.) She was the head usher for the Boston Classical Orchestra and a member of the local Vermont Symphony board. A member of the Parents Committee for both Forman School (CT) and Wheaton College (MA) and many events for Phil White’s ventures.
Yes, she did have a career – Susan is a retired CPA.
Patrick Martell
BIO COMING SOON
Jim Davis
Jim is the Founder and CEO of HomesteadsUSA, an affordable housing development company, and is the principal owner of Davis-Hartley Group, a consulting firm advising small businesses and non-profit organizations with marketing strategies, fundraising and business operations. He resides in Holland, Vermont.
Jack Watson
BIO COMING SOON
Al Briere
BIO COMING SOON
Elaine Briere
BIO COMING SOON
Pat Vana
Pat Vana has spent most of her life in the Northeast Kingdom. Since her retirement from teaching she has been active in many local organizations including Newport Country Club, the United Church of Newport, Memphremagog Watershed Association, the Border Curling Club, and most recently as secretary of Memphremagog Community Maritime.
Dan Gauvin
Dan, is a Newport native who is a (FBO) Fixed Base operator for the Northeast Kingdom International Airport and owner operator of Lakeview Aviation Inc. which he has been at since October, 2003. He became a Rotarian in 2012 , and also sits on the advisory board for the Automotive program at the Career center at NCUHS. His goal in the involvement with MCM was not to see the Northern Star leave the lake; another boat like that would never come again to Lake Memphremagog.
Douglas Casson Coutts
Retired UN humanitarian aid worker (World Food Programme) and UN diplomat, professor emeritus, former USDA and US Congressional staffer, he and his wife Lynne live in Auburn, Alabama and spend the summers on Derby Pond. Born and raised around the Great Lakes in Michigan and Ontario, a dual citizen of Canada/USA, he is dedicated to providing opportunities for youth to learn about, appreciate and eventually help preserve Lake Memphremagog and it’s watershed. His priorities include fostering cooperation and collaboration on both sides of the border to support the NEK community through his board membership in the Memphremagog Watershed Association (MWA) and Memphrémagog Conservation, Inc (MCI – Québec).
organizations with marketing strategies, fundraising and business operations. He resides in Holland, Vermont.
Rev. Laurence Wall
Pastor Larry has served the Newport Church of God over the past 30 years. He loves The Northeast Kingdom and has a desire and vision to see the untapped potential of our area come to bear. MCM and The Northern Star is a tangible way to make a great difference that will benefit many. His wife Sally is gifted and a great asset to the ministry and community at large. They have Three Daughters, Hannah, Emma and Penelope as well as six Grandchildren. Sapphire, Theodore (Teo) Amelia, Angus, Juniper and Iona.
Tom Amon
Carol and Tom Amon live in Brooklyn, New York and spend summers in Newport. Tom is a fifth generation descendant of NEK ancestors-the Tripps and Wolcotts- and Tom’s grandmother, Ethel Tripp Coffin, was born in 1884 and raised in West Charleston. For years she spent her summers at the Coffin Farm, which was on the site of the current North Country Hospital. Carol is a U.S. Federal District Court Judge for the Eastern District of New York and Tom is a practicing attorney in New York City. Tom and Carol are active supporters of many charities, including veteran’s groups, CityTech ( part of CUNY) and the Vermont Land Trust. They are parishioners of the Assumption Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in Brooklyn , NY where Tom serves as Trustee. Tom and Carol have three sons and five grandchildren, all of whom visit the NEK as often as they can.