New England Science & Sailing Announces New Chairman of the Board

Stonington, CT – New England Science & Sailing Foundation (NESS) announced that the Board of Directors has elected William (Bill) Follett as its first Chairman of the Board.
 
Bill Follett has been a director on NESS's Board for two years. He recently retired as Founder and CEO of Dotcom Distribution, the premier distribution company he owns in Edison, New Jersey. Bill previously held positions as Chief Operating Officer at GoodTimes Entertainment, Ltd., and as Chief Executive Officer of a joint venture between Sony and Video Corporation of America. Bill was also Board Chairman for Lighthouse International.
 
NESS President & CEO Spike Lobdell commented, "This represents an important milestone in our growth as a foundation. Having a dedicated Chairman to oversee all governance activities, including strengthening the Board with new members, will be vital to our long term success." NESS's Executive Director Cindy Nickerson added, "Bill brings a wealth of experience to NESS that will be invaluable in guiding the Board forward."
 
"It's an honor to be named NESS's first Chairman of the Board. I look forward to working with Spike and Cindy and the rest of the highly qualified NESS team as they continue bringing NESS's educational programs to more families and schools throughout our New England communities," commented Bill.
 
Since its inception as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2004, NESS has grown significantly over the last 12 years. Now with 20 full-time employees and 10 AmeriCorps members, NESS provides year-round on-the-water and in-classroom instruction to students in grades PreK-16. So far in 2016, NESS has served over 6,000 students through its sailing, marine science, and ocean adventure programs. Over the years, NESS has worked with more than 100 schools and organizations throughout Connecticut and Rhode Island.

New England Science & Sailing Foundation, Inc. (NESS), is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) ocean adventure education organization that engages students in experiential learning to build confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills. Marine sciences, adventure sports, and sailing are platforms for inquiry-based learning, transformational personal discovery, teaching respect and responsibility for the sea, and creating connections with the community. NESS operates year-round with families, schools, and organizations to provide high-quality programs that blend an innovative curriculum with exciting ocean adventure activities. For more information, visit www.nessf.org.