Hello DSC Community,

I joined the DSC about five years ago and being part of this community has become one of the great joys of my life. When my wife told me I needed to get a hobby I don’t think she anticipated how big a part of my life it would become! Being the Board President over the past two years has been a tremendous honor, immensely challenging, and fulfilling in many ways. At times it feels like I am cruising on the Chesapeake on a broad reach with full sails flying downwind in 20 knots. At other times it feels like I am sailing in 35-knot gusts, upwind, in the pouring rain with no mainsail and just a reefed jib. It is all sailing, some days more challenging than others!

With Stuart’s departure, I have fielded a number of questions regarding the management of the DSC going forward. In the past few weeks, we have had meetings with key constituents in order to formulate a plan. These meetings included several meetings with DSC staff. Based on those meetings a plan was generated which has been reviewed and agreed with the DSC Board.

After meeting with the staff, it confirmed what I and the Board have always assumed, that the DSC is fortunate to benefit from a lot of expertise and experience with Rena Kazmierski, Program Director, and John O’Riordan, Fleet Director. In addition, Amandine Ravel has recently joined the staff as Office Manager and is getting up to speed quickly under the tutelage of our longtime bookkeeper and accountant, Shannon Darlington. Since we are also in the “low” season for the DSC, the main need in the short run is for someone to support the staff in making tactical decisions that impact funds. In that light, I have agreed to take on the role of interim Executive Director during the search process that we are about to start.

The Board has formed a task force to conduct the search for a new Executive Director. This task force is being led by Alan Dunklow, Board Secretary, and includes several other Board members. We plan to have a job listing posted shortly to initiate the hiring process. It is anticipated that the onboarding of a new Executive Director will be completed by late winter/early spring.

In addition, we are planning to have an open town hall meeting in early December to allow all members of the DSC community to hear from me, the rest of the Board, and other key players with the DSC regarding the future direction of the DSC. We will be looking for input from the community that will help provide guidance for a new three-year strategic plan. The town hall will be formally announced and posted on the DSC calendar for signup within the week.

This is a challenging time for the DSC and I am grateful for the many offers of assistance in helping ensure the DSC continues to be the success that it has been for over twenty-five years. We are fortunate to have a highly experienced staff, a very dedicated community, and a hard-working Board of Directors. Your support as we navigate the upcoming months is needed and appreciated!

Thank you,

Chris Rossi

DSC Board President

Interim Executive Director