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Officers of the CRF:
Theresa Gang
President and Executive Director
A Buffalo, NY native, Theresa worked for the Town of Orchard Park, NY as the Assistant Recreation Director for five years and was
a member of the Buffalo/Niagara Riverkeepers. After moving to Cleveland, Theresa became the Executive Director of the Cleveland
Rowing Foundation in 2008.
At the suggestion her sister who was a rower, Theresa began rowing in 1996 through the West Side Rowing Club in Buffalo. Theresa
followed the program starting with Learn to Row, moving to the Women's Recreation program, advancing to Women's Intermediate and
eventually to Masters. She has earned numerous medals including Canadian Henley Gold in 2000 for the 500 Meter Dash in the eight,
just five months after her daughter was born. After moving to Cleveland in the Spring 2008 it didn't take her long to rekindle
her passion for rowing by joining the WRRA Masters program. Here she has won gold at Welland, Head of the Ohio, Head of the
Cuyahoga, and Midwest Masters Sprints. In the Summer of 2009, she won a bronze in the eight and silver in the four at the Masters
National Competition in Camden, NJ.
Theresa's passion for rowing compelled her to write a children's storybook called "My Mommy Rows."
The colorful illustrations introduce rowing to youth at an early age since so many are not exposed to the sport. The book is sold
by USRowing, Regatta Sport and overseas.
When she's not working or rowing, Theresa spends time with her two daughters and husband.
Gia Ligato
Treasurer
Gia is a financial analyst at Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. Gia graduated from John Carroll University with a BA in Economics. She is currently working on her MBA in finance at The University of Akron.
Seeing an eight man shell on display at John Carroll peaked Gia’s interest about rowing. Unwilling to give up sleep for early morning practices she decided rowing was not for her. A Learn to Row sign posted at work gave her the opportunity to try this sport about which she had been curious. Gia started rowing in WRRA’s Summer Rowing League before joining the Masters program.
Gia also serves on the Board of Directors for Legacy in Education.
Maria Tornicasa
Secretary
Miss Tornincasa brings a talent for creative thinking that has proven to be an asset throughout her 7 years in the nonprofit sector. As former Development Director for the American Cancer Society, Maria is passionate about setting, achieving and exceeding goals. Her areas of expertise include recruiting volunteers, special event planning, and fundraising.
Maria currently is employed with the Center For Nonprofit Excellence located in Akron, OH. In her role as Executive Liaison, she manages and helps grow the consulting practice that focuses on bettering nonprofit management in the sector.
She holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration from Youngstown State University with a major in advertising and public relations. She was awarded the YWCA’s Young Women with Bright Futures award in 1999.
Maria is currently a member of the Western Reserve Rowing Association and has participated in the Summer and Fall Rowing Leagues for the past three years. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with close friends and family.
Board of Directors:
Chairman : Robert J. Valerian
At-Large Board Member, Term: 2008, 2009, 2010
Bob Valerian is the Chair of the Litigation Group of Kahn Kleinman, LPA. Mr. Valerian's practice includes civil jury trials and commercial arbitrations, as well as arguments before state and federal courts of appeal. He is admitted to practice before all courts of the State of Ohio, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, the United States Courts of Appeals for the Sixth, Eighth and Eleventh Circuits, the U.S. Court of Claims, and the United States Supreme Court.
Bob serves as a mediator and evaluator for the Alternative Dispute Resolution Panel of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio and also acts as a mediator for private parties. He participates in the Litigation and Construction Law Sections of the American Bar Association and in the Labor and Employment Section of the Ohio State Bar Association.
As a licensed commercial pilot with multi-engine and jet ratings, Mr. Valerian consults on aviation related legal matters, including drafting and negotiating purchase agreements and fractional ownership agreements for private aircraft. He is a retired U.S. Air Force Major, who flew 109 combat missions in the Vietnam War and received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medals and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Coach Valerian coached the St. Ignatius Rowing team between 1990 and 2003, guiding the Blue and Gold Navy to their first two Midwest Scholastic Championships, and building St. Ignatius Rowing into the instiution it currently is. Coach "V" was an oarsman at Georgetown University, winning the Dad Vail Sprints during his time there.
Bob has served on the Board of the Cleveland Rowing Foundation since 2006, and served as the President of CRF in 2007 and 2008. Bob is also the former president of the Joint Veterans Commission of Cuyahoga County and has served as a Trustee of the Catholic Education Endowment Trust Fund of the Diocese of Cleveland.
Anna Chanakas
At-Large Board Member, Term 2010, 2011, 2012
Anna's has worked in Market Research in the manufacturing, advertising and services industries. She has worked on such notable brands as Glidden and Ralph Lauren paint, Hoover and Dirt Devil vacuums, Applebee's, KeyBank and Progressive Insurance. Anna is currently consulting in Marketing and is pursuing a career in the non-profit sector. Anna received her MA in Consumer Psychology from Cleveland State University and a BSBA in Business Administration from Bowling Green State University.
Anna began her rowing career at the Flats Racing League in 1989. When the league disbanded in 1992, she was instrumental in bringing the program to WRRA (currently known as the Summer Rowing League). Anna has held many board and committee positions in WRRA and CRF including: Director of the Summer Rowing League (1993 - 1996), WRRA Secretary (2000 - 2004), Away Regatta Chairperson (2003 - 2005), and CRF Secretary (2007 - 2009). Anna is the Chairperson of CRF's annual fundraising benefit, the Bow Ball. She also serves on CRF's Development committee which is working on raising $3.2 million to make the new Rivergate Village boathouse site a reality.
Anna is currently in WRRA's Masters Rowing Program and has competed and earned medals in regional, national and international regattas since 1998. Anna earned a Bronze medal at the USRowing Masters Nationals regatta and has competed in four Head of the Charles Regatta's.
Anna has also held board positions with the Young Friends of the Cleveland Museum of Art, and is an active volunteer for the Cleveland chapter of Habitat for Humanity.
William H. Braun
At-Large Board Member, Term 2009, 2010 and 2011
Bill is the Chairman and Chief Engineer of Custom Rubber Corporation, a Cleveland manufacturer of specialty designed elastomeric components.
Bill earned a BA in Economics from Harvard University. After serving as a Lieutenant in the US Navy during Vietnam he obtained an MBA from the University of Michigan.
As a member of Harvard's lightweight crew Bill won the Eastern Collegiate Rowing Championships three times, and the American Henley. He competed in the Royal Dutch Regatta in Amsterdam and challenged for the Thames Cup at the English Henley. He has rowed in the Head of the Charles over twenty five times.
Bill has been rowing a single scull on the Cuyahoga River since 1981; and is one of four founding members of what is now the Cleveland Rowing Foundation.
Bill currently serves on the Boards of the Cleveland Rowing Foundation and the St Clair Superior Neighborhood Development Corporation. He is Past Commodore of Vermilion Boat Club, has been President of Western Reserve Rowing Association and was a member of the Leadership Cleveland Class of 1992.
Bill and his wife Ellen have three grown children and seven grandchildren. They live in Bay Village. Bill enjoys sailing, skiing, rowing and music.
Kevin Roberts
At-Large Board Member, Term: 2010, 2011, 2012
Kevin is an attorney, with an A.B. in International Relations from Harvard University, and a J.D. from Case Law School. After years in the Litigation Department at Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, and at the Spangenberg Law Firm, he founded the Roberts Law Firm in 1993. He specializes in civil trial litigation. He is admitted to practice in State and Federal Courts in both Ohio and the United States Virgin Islands, and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. For years, he was part of Squire, Sanders trial team that won major verdicts against Dow Chemical in Cleveland and around the country. Since then, he has tried a wide variety of civil cases, including, for example, construction of the Great Lakes Science Museum & Gateway, employment cases with Big Three automakers, products liability, malpractice, and commercial disputes. Most recently, he has represented the Fazio family in securities litigation arising out of the criminal misconduct of former Lehman Brothers Frank Gruttadauria.
At Harvard, back problems forced Kevin to put down his football and pick up an oar. Long after college, he stroked the crew which won the first Flats Summer League Championship (1988), and joined the Cleveland Athletic Club eight which rowed at the Canadian Henley, the Head of the Charles, the Head of the Schuykill and other races in the Midwest. His two children rowed in the CRF Scholastic program. He is currently learning to row a single.
Kevin has a passion for 19th century houses and farms. He & his wife live in a restored 1865 house which also housed the local blacksmith shop in Olmsted Falls. He has planted an orchard at home, and is growing both American and hybrid chestnuts, and a variety of apples, on a 14 acre farm on Indian Creek in Saybrook Township, Ashtabula County.
Paul G. Sabataitis
At-Large Board Member, Term: 2009, 2010, 2011
Paul Sabatitis is an equity research analyst for McDonald Investments in Cleveland. Paul holds a BS in Economics from John Carroll University
Paul began rowing in 1995 while at John Carroll University. In 2000, Paul reunited with the rowing team at John Carroll serving as an assistant coach until 2004. Since 2004, he has been an assistant coach for Saint Ignatius High School, working primarily with the Varsity squad.
In addition to coaching, Paul is also the chairperson of the Cleveland Rowing Foundation Safety Committee, overseeing safety and rowing operations for all of the CRF's member organizations. Paul has been a member of CRF's Board of Directors since January 2009. When not at the CRF boathouse, Paul enjoys cycling, sailing his catamaran and is a private pilot rated in fixed wing and rotary aircraft. He currently resides in Willoughby.
Douglas C. Carlson
Western Reserve Rowing Association Board Member, Term: 2009, 2010, 2011
Doug Carlson is a Partner at the Hahn Loeser law firm. Doug has significant experience in corporate, individual and estate tax areas. His primary emphasis is on transactional planning including acquisitions and dispositions, liquidations, reorganizations and limited partnership syndications. Doug is also experienced in the formation and organization of public charities and private foundations including securing tax exempt status. He is also involved with planning and compliance for tax matters affecting non-profits. In addition to his taxation and non-profit legal experience, Doug also works with General Corporate, Estate Planning and Probate. Doug is licensed to practice in Ohio and Florida
Doug received is law degree from Case Western Reserve University and also holds an MPA and BBA from Kent State University. Doug is also a Certified Public Accountant.
Doug began rowing at the Western Reserve Rowing Association in 1997. Doug is an accomplished sweep and single sculler competing and medaling in numerous regional and national regattas. Doug holds a U.S. Rowing Level II Coaching Certification and is a Sculling Coach, St. Ignatius High School.
Doug was held the position of Treasurer of Western Reserve Rowing Association from 1998 to 2004 and has been a Board Member of the Cleveland Rowing Foundation since 2007. Doug is a former President, Treasurer and Chairman of several committees at the Elyria Country Club. Doug is also the Director of the Western Golf Association, Evans Scholars Foundation.
Rebecca Osborne
Western Reserve Rowing Association Board Member, Term: 2008, 2009, 2010
Rebecca Osborne, CPA, PHR is the Director of HR for SS&G Financial Services, Inc., a large regional accounting firm. She oversees the entire human resources function for this fast growing 400+ employee company and has helped them win the Best Employer in Ohio recognition for the last 4 years. She initially began her career as a Certified Public Accountant with the national accounting firm, Ernst & Young. Rebecca has a B.S. in Accounting from The University of Akron, with course work in human resources and organizational behavior completed on a graduate level.
Rebecca has been rowing for 12 years. Prior to taking up rowing, Rebecca had never participated in a competitive sport. She learned how to row through the WRRA Summer Rowing League program. She was one of the first to join the newly created WRRA Recreational Rowing program and then moved on to the Masters/Competitive crew; she also sculls regularly in a double. Rebecca has competed at a number of regional regattas including the Royal Canadian Henley, the Midwest Masters in Indianapolis, the Welland sprints, the Columbus Speakmon, the Head of the Ohio and the Toledo Frogtown races.
Rebecca has been on the CRF board for two years. She is also a member of the Finance Committee for Our Lady of the Elms in Akron, Ohio and the Northeast Ohio Human Resource Planning Society (NOHRPS).
Kerry Watterson
Western Reserve Rowing Association Board Member, Term: 2010, 2011, 2012
Kerry Watterson is a Senior Vice President with Thomas McDonald Partners, LLC. He is a native of New York City, and prior to Thomas McDonald Partners, joined UBS (then McDonald Financial Group) in 2002 from Teligent Inc. in Washington, DC, where he served as vice president `of investor relations. Earlier in his career, Kerry spent three years as an investment banker in E.F. Hutton's Corporate Finance department in New York, working on a wide range of public and private securities offerings. He subsequently spent over 10 years in the telecommunications industry in senior financial positions. He has more than 15 years of financial services and capital markets experience, and has served as an adjunct instructor of finance in bachelor's and master's degree granting programs at Lorain County (Ohio) Community College
Kerry started his professional career as a commissioned officer in the United States Coast Guard, serving on active duty for five years in operational and staff positions.
A graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy with a BS in management, he also earned an MBA in finance from Columbia University's Graduate School of Business.
Kerry began his rowing career in 1972 at The Northfield Mount Hermon School in Bernardston, Massachusetts, and continued it at The United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. After a hiatus of 30+ years, Kerry took up rowing again with The Western Reserve Rowing Association in 2006, and was elected to the board of directors of The Cleveland Rowing Foundation in 2007. Since 2006, he has competed in several regattas, including the Head of the Cuyahoga, Head of the Ohio, Head of the Charles, and the US Masters National Championships, where he earned a bronze medal.
In addition to his membership on the board of The Cleveland Rowing Foundation, Kerry is a member of the boards of directors of The Cleveland Music School Settlement, The Intermuseum Conservation Association, and The United States Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association.
Chris Maeder
Collegiate Board Member, Term: 2009, 2010, 2011
Chris is a CPA at University Hospitals for the last five years, He currently oversees financial matters for the nursing units, operating rooms and cardiology departments at UH Case Medical Center.
Chris has an MBA from Cleveland State University earned his BSBA in accountancy from John Carroll University. Chris also earned the Certified Healthcare Finance Professional designation from the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA).
Chris began rowing in 1999 as a freshman at John Carroll University. He was elected team treasurer and Varsity Men's Captain his senior year. He helped coordinate fundraising efforts as the team purchased its second new boat. Upon graduating, Chris began his coaching career at John Carroll, serving as novice women's assistant coach from 2003-2005. After two successful years with the novice crew, he accepted the head coach position during the summer of 2005. Chris was elected to the CRF board in January 2009 and is excited to contribute to the future of rowing in Cleveland.
In addition to serving on the CRF Board, Chris is also an active member of HFMA, serving on its membership committee since 2007.
Randy Trefethern
Scholastic Board Member, Term: 2010
Randy is currently the head coach of CSRA and took over the head coach position just recently with the retirement of Dave Yormick. In addition to coaching CSRA in the fall of '09 Randy also coached with FRL on Wednesday nights. Randy rowed at Ohio State from 1985-1988 and was an assistant coach to the varsity men's program from 1990-1992 and 1993-1996. Randy has also coached high school (Dublin HS and Hilliard HS) and master rowers (CRI, GCRA, Green Lake, Falcon RC and Martha's Moms) in sculling and sweep rowing for the last 19 years in Columbus, Boston, Seattle and now Cleveland. Randy graduated from Capital University Law School in 1993 and when he is not doing attorney "stuff" he is volunteering with Special Olympics, local animal shelters, and the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland. He recently moved to the Eastside, South Euclid, from Columbus, Ohio and can often be seen walking around the boathouse with his 12 year old Black Lab, Gigs.
Sharon Romilly
Scholastic Board Member, Term: 2010, 2011, 2012
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