Skatepark Committee
Renata von Tscharner - Founder and President of the Charles River Conservancy
CRC’s President and mother of a skateboarder. As the head of the organization she is the driving force behind the skatepark. Renata regularly makes presentations about the skatepark to interested groups, potential funders, TV and radio stations and the press. She also serves as the main liaison with the DCR , the MTA, and politicians.
Nicole Brown - Special Projects Coordinator for the CRC
Nicole is closely involved with the Skatepark project as she coordinates materials, deadlines, and meetings among committee members, state agencies, and relevant consultants for design, engineering, legal and property issues, and insurance.
Jay Baldwin - Chair of Skatepark Fundraising Committee
CRC Board Member, venture capitalist and father of skateboarders. In addition to providing a key individual lead gift, Jay is connected to and knowledgeable of the Boston major donor community and has been able to make important personal connections. His sons also keep him connected to the skateboarding community.
Jamie Cumming - Charles River Skatepark Committee
Jamie has been an active skateboarder for over 20 years. He is a professional furniture designer and builder and entrepreneur. Not only does he enjoy skating, but has brought together other members of the skating community to provide input in the design and planning of the skatepark. He has also approached local skateboarding stores and other extreme sport related businesses on CRC’s behalf.
Virginia Foote - Charles River Skatepark Committee
CRC Board and Capital Campaign Committee member. As former financial controller of HULT Business School, she is experienced in budgets and management. With several small children, she sees the importance of having activities that engage them. Virginia hosted a fundraising house party and has cultivated individuals and foundations to contribute to the skatepark.
Paul Fremont-Smith, Jr. - Charles River Skatepark Committee
CRC Advisory Board member, retired business man, trustee of the US Ski Team Foundation and patron of alternative sports. Approached the CRC because of his interest in the close connection between snowboarding and skateboarding. He has pledged a key gift of $100,000 as well as successfully asked friends of his to contribute.
Matt Irish - Charles River Skatepark Committee
Senior Associate at O’Neill and Associates, a government relations firm that helps the CRC in securing public funds and dealing with public agencies. Former chief of staff with Senator Steve Tolman, Matt has helped us to navigate the waters of public funding and working with public agencies.
Steve Mead - Charles River Skatepark Committee
Businessman and father of a skateboarder. Views the construction of this facility as a way to support his son’s endeavors. Not only has he donated generously individually and through corporate sponsorship but has connections to the downtown financial circles as well as the skater community.
Matthew Petrie - Charles River Skatepark Committee
CRC board member, and senior architect with ADD Inc. chairs the Skatepark Design Committee. He has extensive experience at managing large, complex design and construction projects. He has incorporated ideas put forth by the skates, and has worked hand in hand with the project consultant, the skatepark designer, the landscape firm, and the involved public agencies.
Nancy Schon - Charles River Skatepark Committee
CRC board member and renowned public artist best known for her “Make Way for Ducklings” sculpture in the Boston Public Garden is a community mover and shaker and avid skatepark enthusiast. As a result of her dedicated fundraising efforts we have been able to raise over $750,000 in grants and personal gifts. In addition, she has designed and produced a commemorative bronze mini-sculpture as a gift for donors that have contributed $5,000 and above. She also designed a skatepark zipper pull, and commissioned her daughter, Susan Schon, a textile designer to design a skatepark men’s necktie.
Doug Russell - Charles River Skatepark Consultant
a paid CRC consultant, is an architect who has worked on contract, design and construction issues to further the project.
Sunny Stich - Charles River Conservancy Development Coordinator
CRC’s paid Development Coordinator, works on securing foundation, corporate and individual support for the CRC.
Tina Vitkovich - Charles River Skatepark Committee
A trial lawyer, and an avid skater. She had applied for the position of Skatepark Coordinator at the CRC. When she was not hired she stepped forward to join the committee to aid in the efforts to make the skatepark a reality