Don Hudson is the president of the foundation and has had a long association with Chewonki as camper, counselor, trip leader, and assistant director. Don graduated from Dartmouth College in 1972 and received his doctorate in ecology and evolutionary biology from Indiana University in 1983. His wife, Phine Ewing, is an artist and botanical illustrator. Don and Phine have two sons, Charlie and Reuben.
Garth Altenburg is Chewonki's fifth boys' camp director and has a long history with Chewonki starting in 1988, when he participated in the Mistissini Canoe Expedition. He was also a counselor, trip leader, head counselor, guides director and assistant camp director. Garth received his B.S. in elementary education from Skidmore College in 1995, and his master's degree from the University of Southern Maine, Muskie School of Public Service. Garth and his wife Heather have three children: William, Benjamin and Phoebe.
Dot Lamson has been directing environmental education at Chewonki since 1984. She came to Chewonki as a young teacher after several years in the classroom. She received her B.S. in wildlife management and teaching certification from the University of Maine in 1979. Dot taught on Chewonki's Environmental Education staff for several years before taking on administrative duties. She also helped start Chewonki's Maine Coast Sea-Kayaking program and continues to lead wilderness trips.
Willard Morgan is head of school for Maine Coast Semester. While at Williams College, he conducted field research as part of his major in Geosciences. After a number of years working in the mountains for Outward Bound and other organizations, Willard resumed his studies in the Field Naturalist Program at the University of Vermont, where he earned a masters degree. Before coming to Chewonki, he directed the Williams College Outing Club and served as a lecturer in the Rubenstein School of environment and natural resources at UVM. At MCS, Willard has taught Natural History of the Maine Coast and he also coordinates the Work Program. He continues to study and explore the natural world on adventures with his wife, Jenn Barton, and their young daughter, Sierra.
Greg Shute has been the foundation’s wilderness programs director since 1991. Prior to that he was Chewonki’s assistant director of environmental education. Greg received his B.S. in Outdoor Recreation from the University of Maine at Presque Isle in 1982. A Maine native and Registered Maine Guide, he serves on the board of the Maine Youth Camping Association as the chairperson of the Inland Fisheries and as Wildlife Trip Leader Program. His wife, Lynne Flaccus, is Chewonki’s Head Naturalist and they have a son, Kyle.
Genell Vashro’s enthusiasm for leadership development in the natural environment is what led her to a career as director of girls programs at the Chewonki Foundation. Her passion for the outdoors has drawn her to the boundary waters of Northern Minnesota, Oregon, and Seward, Alaska, where she led everything from extended canoe trips, hiking, sea kayaking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and whitewater rafting trips for teenage boys and girls, college students, and adults. Genell graduated from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, with a major in environmental studies. She spent two semesters abroad, studying cultural history and geography in Madagascar and ecology in Australia. Her recent professional life as an AmeriCorps *VISTA volunteer and at the Maine Youth Action Network, has been dedicated to programs that support positive changes for youth in their communities. Genell looks forward to weaving together her experiences of youth development and outdoor leadership.
Betta Stothart Connor, Director of Community Relations
Lucy Hull, Director of Development
Dick Thomas, Director of Alumni Relations
Kathy Thompson, Business & IT Manager
