Author: Carl Popolo

PRESIDENT

Nicolas Minasian
I am currently finishing up my Undergraduate Degree at UMass Lowell in Computer Engineering, with a minor in Business Administration for Engineers. I have been rowing since my freshman year in 2015 and have quickly found an appreciation for not only the sport but for the rowing community as a whole. A couple of my personal hobbies include fish keeping (freshwater, saltwater aquariums, or even ponds), I have also been training as a Violinist for the past 14 years. In the last three years I have received my license as an assistant rowing referee, become actively involved in local regattas along the Merrimack River, and was recently given the opportunity to fill the role as a Director for the 2019 Textile River Regatta.
I would like to first thank you all for the opportunity and nomination to fulfill the duties of President of the MRRA. I believe the club membership expressed the highest level of teamwork it could have given in order to run the TRR this year and it was truly a fantastic event despite the constraints, and it is truly impressive. As president I would like to continue that spirit of active membership while also alleviating the responsibilities some members have been burdened with over the years and that they may receive the proper assistance they need to perform the tasks the club needs to function.
I would like to also explore growing the clubs competitive membership. Through encouraging more student athletes from UMass Lowell, Lowell High, even surrounding programs who may not compete during the summer, we can increase the club body and continue to propagate the appreciation for rowing. The stretch of the Merrimack we are on is arguably one of the best places to train in New England. Its long uninterrupted stretch from our end in Lowell to Nashua is a fantastic venue to help crews accelerate their rowing skills and ability, and we must take advantage of that.
I look forward to working with you all in the future as a peer, president or not. MRRA has proven its potential over and over to ourselves and competitors across the area, I look forward to seeing the club progress and grow to its fullest potential.
Dottie Semonian
Joined the MRRA in 2011 after completing the Learn to Scull July/August Summer Program. I was able to race in the TRR novice scull that Fall. I made a couple great friends that summer and together we learned the expectations for volunteering and contributing to the MRRA. The next four years I held the MRRA Board Secretary position. I know most of you through helping you navigate your OK2Row status. I also continued to volunteer with the Social Committee organizing and executing group full moon rows, July Deck party and Annual Holiday party.
I spent one year as MRRA Vice President. The past few seasons I have been the Festival Regatta Chair. This event continues to be well attended and profitable. I think it is important to stay on budget and continue to grow the club resources. I am currently on the Textile River Regatta Board of Directors. I believe my involvement in the MRRA over the past eight years has educated me regarding the history of the club. I have heard members express concern over communication, assets, liabilities and the need for a solid plan to grow of our rowing programs in 2020. We have great resources among our members and I believe we all want the MRRA to be the club we are proud to call our own.
I work full time providing Primary Care as a Nurse Practitioner in Chelmsford. Live in Westford with my husband Ralph. Four grown children have left the nest but occasionally need me to babysit a grand baby or two.

VICE PRESIDENT

Andy Hutchinson
I joined the club after completing the Learn to Scull class and continued through the end of the season. I assisted Linas as a co-director of the Learn to Scull class for the last 3 years and enjoyed introducing the rowing to a new crop of rowers. I competed in both the Festival and Textile River Regattas, in both Singles and Quads. When not rowing I work for a living as a Marketeer for Teradyne a Boston based company that manufactures electronic test equipment. I had a great time rowing and getting to know the members of the club over the past year and look forward to being able to continue to give back as I continue to learn and mature in the sport.
Karen Scammell
I joined the club in 2001 and have been rowing and racing singles ever since. As a graduate of UML '85 where I rowed sweeps for 4 years (8 seasons), I have a keen interest to keep that relationship positive and beneficial for both the MRRA and UML Crew.
I was MRRA president from 2012 through 2018 and prior to that was treasurer for a year and a trustee for a year.
It is of great importance to me to see the club as a fully functioning and inclusive rowing club that serves the greater Merrimack Valley for both sweep and scull. During my presidency, we experienced great growth in the sweep programs, including masters sweep, learn to sweep, collegiate level and even Juniors.
I am interested to keep the MRRA adherent to the bylaws and see us continue to be financially profitable and work with the community on an eventual boathouse for ourselves.
Professionally I lead a global sales team in Laser sales and am responsible for deep and long term customer relationships, maintenance of a budget and revenue forecasting. I consider myself a professional leader and look forward to directing the club towards better rowing experiences as well as growing our membership.

TREASURER

Liz Albert
I have been an MRRA member continuously since the early 90's--nearing 3 decades now! I have served in the positions of Secretary, Trustee (a couple of times), and on the Bylaws Revision committee (a 2 year commitment). I am one of the recreational rowers of the MRRA, but have also supported the Club's regattas, participating in many aspects, including: registration, announcer, finish line, start line, marshaling, medals/T-shirts, vendor layout, and cleanup. I have experience handling monies, have great organizational skills and attention to details. And I am a volunteer tax preparer with AARP, in case we need to file our taxes! I believe I have the qualifications for your Treasurer.
Chur Masors
Rower since 2001… Primarily sculling, also some sweep rowing. Mostly recreational but some competition… Retired UMass Lowell Lab Tech… Previous offices: Secretary 1 year, Treasurer 4 years. Previous activities: Learn to Scull Program Director 6 years… Acting Chair Equipment Committee 1 year…
Currently: Social committee. MRRA Treasurer seeking 2nd term

SECRETARY

Dennis McCarthy
Dennis McCarthy is a fantastic representative not only of the boathouse, not only of all the best Lowell has to offer, but of an upstanding responsible, thoughtful and intelligent human being.
Dennis previously served as Boat Captain for the MRRA. Dennis knows the ins and outs of the Bellegarde Boathouse and the Merrimack river stretch from the falls to the Tyngsboro bridge like the back of his hand, or better yet, like the back of his oars. Beyond rowing, he’s been a boat captain on a sail boat named Fiona for over a decade, so has experience in nautical leadership, making him a candidate not to be stopped over for Secretary position for the MRRA

MRRA
2019 Annual Meeting

At
The Establishment
75 Prince Street
North Chelmsford, MA
In the Tuscan Room
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
6:30 Arrivals & Cocktails
7:30pm Meeting Start
Call to order
Review/approval of the November meeting minutes
2019 Review
Membership
Programs
Regattas
Equipment
Boat Usage Stats
2019 Base Membership Proposal
Volunteer Recognition and Call for Committee Volunteers
Elections
New Business
Adjournment and Annual Party

TRUSTEE

BOAT CAPTAIN

BALLOT

Jonathan Blank
Jonathan Blank is a weekday resident of Dracut MA for his job as and RN and Director of Surgical Services at Lowell General Hospital. His full time home is in beautiful Columbia County, NY just across the state line from the Berkshires. Jonathan became active with the MRRA first as a participant in Learn To Sweep in the summer of 2018 and then in Learn To Scull in 2019, during the latter of which he passed his Captain's Test and became an active MRRA member. He was active in this year's Regatta through his participation in the course set-up activities [buoy placement and launch operation] on the Saturday immediately preceding the Sunday event. In his spare time, he serves on the Catamount Ski Patrol just outside of Great Barrington, MA on the Hillsdale NY/Egremont MA border. He is an also an avid hiker and a frequent visitor to the White Mountains of NH and Adirondack Mountains of NY where he is an Adirondack 46r. He also is a cross-country skier, and a recreational road and mountain biker.
Joe Bernard
I joined the club in 2006 after taking the learn to row class. Over the years, I have grown to enjoy sculling, helped the club start the sweep program, and done a little racing in both. I was a trustee a few years ago and would again like to contribute by being more active in club operations.
Barbara J. Mack
Barbara J. Mack is founder and president of Pingry Hill Enterprises, Inc. For over fifteen years, she has worked as a consultant, writer, editor, and researcher on projects involving alternative investments, quantitative finance, securities regulation, international economics, and technological innovation. Clients have included Bloomberg LP, Institutional Investor Journals, the CFA Institute, and the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association. Barbara has a Masters degree from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and a Bachelor of Arts from Tufts University. She has been a rower (sweeps and some sculling) with the MRRA since 2012.
Mark Romanowsky
My history with the MRRA goes back to the early beginnings. I was President for many years and a trustee for just as many. I have been on the Safety committee forever. As I am retiring from my profession, I will have time to give more to the club.
Kent Springer
Kent started his rowing career as a member of the lightweight 4 at the University of Tennessee rowing club during the 78/79 seasons. During the off season, he learned to scull for training. After a long hiatus, he started recreational sculling with the MRRA. After a couple of seasons car-topping, he scored a nosebleed rack in the boathouse and continues sculling as a weekend warrior.
Tim Wheatley
I have been a member of the club for about 13 years.
I am an active sculler, competing in 5-6 regattas a year.
I have previously served on the board as a trustee.

Bob Bowen
I joined the MRRA in 2003 after completing the Learn To Scull class. In 2010 I built the outdoor racks, and installed the cabinets where our logbook is. In 2011 and 2012 I was the Boat Captain. Each year I build, install and maintain the bird deterrent system. I am currently on the Equipment Committee. I generally row 60 or more times a year, but only recreationally. Prior to retiring in 2010 I was a division controller for a defense contractor. I'm a 1970 graduate of Lowell Technological Institute (now UMass Lowell). I live in Tyngsboro with my wife Rita. We have three children and four grandchildren. As Boat Captain my intent is to continue the good work of Bob Sengstaken, and provide a more hands-on approach to the position because of my availability.
Amy Kearns
I accept the nomination for MRRA Boat Captain 2020. I have been a member of the MRRA for the past several years. I graduated from UMass Lowell a year ago, where I was the Women's Rowing Team Captain for my final season. I currently work full time as a structural engineer and am working towards earning my masters degree in structural engineering from UML. Now that I am no longer rowing with the college team, you'll find me down at the boathouse most mornings (when it's not freezing...) taking out a single. I believe my knowledge of rowing would help me be successful if elected into this position. I also consider myself easy to get a hold of - you can either find me in person at the boathouse or text/email. Let's make 2020 the best year yet for MRRA, with happy rowers and happy boats!

PRESIDENT

VICE PRESIDENT

TREASURER

SECRETARY

BOAT CAPTAIN

TRUSTEE
(choose no more than TWO)

MINASIAN, Nicolas
SEMONIAN, Dottie
_________________

HUTCHINSON, Andrew
SCAMMELL, Karen
_________________

ALBERT, Liz
MASORS, Chur
_________________

MCCARTHY, Dennis
_________________

BOWEN, Bob
KEARNS, Amy
_________________

BLANK, Jonathan
BERNARD, Joe
MACK, Barbara J.
ROMANOWSKY, Mark
SPRINGER, Kent
WHEATLEY, Tim
_________________
_________________

About the Trustee Positions
Trustees serve for three years. The current trustees and their term expirations are: 2 positions available
Michelle Collier (resigned)— through 2021 Jody Decarolis — through 2020 Liz Albert (resigned) — through 2019

QUESTION 1

QUESTION 2

YES NO

YES NO

BALLOT

BALLOT

BALLOT

PRESIDENT

MINASIAN, Nicolas
SEMONIAN, Dottie
_________________

PRESIDENT

MINASIAN, Nicolas
SEMONIAN, Dottie
_________________

PRESIDENT

MINASIAN, Nicolas
SEMONIAN, Dottie
_________________

VICE PRESIDENT

HUTCHINSON, Andrew
SCAMMELL, Karen
_________________

VICE PRESIDENT

HUTCHINSON, Andrew
SCAMMELL, Karen
_________________

VICE PRESIDENT

HUTCHINSON, Andrew
SCAMMELL, Karen
_________________

TREASURER

ALBERT, Liz
MASORS, Chur
_________________

TREASURER

ALBERT, Liz
MASORS, Chur
_________________

TREASURER

ALBERT, Liz
MASORS, Chur
_________________

SECRETARY

MCCARTHY, Dennis
_________________

SECRETARY

MCCARTHY, Dennis
_________________

SECRETARY

MCCARTHY, Dennis
_________________

BOAT CAPTAIN

BOWEN, Bob
KEARNS, Amy
_________________

BOAT CAPTAIN

BOWEN, Bob
KEARNS, Amy
_________________

BOAT CAPTAIN

BOWEN, Bob
KEARNS, Amy
_________________

TRUSTEE
(choose no more than TWO)

BLANK, Jonathan
BERNARD, Joe
MACK, Barbara J.
ROMANOWSKY, Mark
SPRINGER, Kent
WHEATLEY, Tim
_________________
_________________

TRUSTEE
(choose no more than TWO)

BLANK, Jonathan
BERNARD, Joe
MACK, Barbara J.
ROMANOWSKY, Mark
SPRINGER, Kent
WHEATLEY, Tim
_________________
_________________

TRUSTEE
(choose no more than TWO)

BLANK, Jonathan
BERNARD, Joe
MACK, Barbara J.
ROMANOWSKY, Mark
SPRINGER, Kent
WHEATLEY, Tim
_________________
_________________

QUESTION 1

YES NO

QUESTION 1

YES NO

QUESTION 1

YES NO

QUESTION 2

YES NO

QUESTION 2

YES NO

QUESTION 2

YES NO