Meet Our Board

David Converse - President

David M. Converse was born and raised in Newport. He is also on the board for MWA (Memphremagog Watershed Association).  He is past president of Newport Rotary Club. David has been in the funeral service business for over 40 years. He loves Newport and Lake Memphremagog and wants to see them thrive.

Mark Hayes - treasurer

After serving in the US Navy Mark moved Into the family business in 1975 and never left! He is currently serving on several boards including LSC Foundation (scholarships), NCUHS Transportation advisory board, Vermont Auto Dealers Board and last but not least MCM.

Kathryn Converse - Secretary

Kathryn Converse is a native Vermonter. After 40 years in education as a middle school English teacher and a supervisory union administrator, she retired and now finds satisfaction from volunteering. Her husband David got her involved with Memphremagog Community Maritime and the Northern Star where she now serves as the organization’s secretary. 

Tom Amon - Board Member

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.

Douglas Casson Coutts - Board Member

Retired UN humanitarian aid worker (World Food Programme) and UN diplomat, professor emeritus, former USDA and US Congressional staffer, Doug and his wife Lynne live in Auburn, Alabama and spend their summers on Derby Pond.  Born and raised around the Great Lakes in Michigan and Ontario, Doug is a dual citizen of Canada/USA, and is dedicated to providing opportunities for youth to learn about, appreciate and 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) as well.

Dan Gauvin - vice president

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 has been a Rotarian since 2012 , and also serves on the advisory board for the Automotive program at the Career Center at NCUHS. His involvement with MCM was to support the continued operation of the Northern Star Lake Memphremagog; another cruise vessel like that would never come again to ply the waters of Lake Memphremagog.

Scott Winick - marketing

Scott R. Winick, a native New Englander, fulfilled a life-long dream to live and work in Vermont when, in 2004, he and his wife, Linda, immigrated to the Kingdom. They have three adult children. Scott is gainfully retired from an engineering career that spanned the world in navigation, electrical design automation, semiconductors and cardiology. He is an avid aviator, skier, sailor, fisherman, writer and traveler. He and Linda are founders of the Ben’s Better Dae Foundation, affiliated with Vanguard Charitable, a 501(c)(3), that provides assistance to young men struggling with addiction.

Rev. Laurence Wall - Board member

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.

Felicia Updyke - Board member

Felicia Updyke moved to the Northeast Kingdom in 2022 and has since dove right into helping her community. She used to be the Director for MCM but has recently switched career paths. She is the Brand Ambassador for Eden Specialty Ciders.

She is also on the board for Newport City Downtown Development, as well as the Co-Chair for their Events Committee and Marketing Committee. She is the Programs Assistant for Newport Parks and Recreation and on the Organizing Team for the NEK Rainbow Coalition.

In her spare time she loves playing with her sassy daughter, playing video games, reading, and sleeping.