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“Lighthouses will only be saved through a combination of hard work, education, and a constant commitment to fundraising.”
The American Lighthouse Foundation (ALF), the nation’s leading lighthouse preservation organization, announced recently the appointment of Bob Trapani, Jr. as its first executive director.
“We are honored that Bob accepted the position,” said Tim Harrison, president of the nonprofit organization that is based out
of Wells, Maine. “Bob brings years of leadership experience in building and managing nonprofit maritime organizations to our group,” said Harrison.
The hiring of Trapani comes after a yearlong nationwide search by the group to find someone who could become the first executive director of the 11-year-old organization.
The American Lighthouse Foundation prides itself on what has been accomplished with volunteers only since our founding in 1994,” said Harrison. “We have helped save lighthouses all over the United States, we have created the largest archive of lighthouse history, and we have founded the Museum of Lighthouse History, which now has some of the rarest artifacts from the old United States Lighthouse Service and Coast Guard on display in the United States. However, it was now time to take our organization to the next level by making a commitment to the hiring of a full time executive director. We exist solely on donations, so this is a big step for us as well as a risk – not only for us, but also for Bob and his family.”
Trapani was the president of the Delaware River and Bay Lighthouse Foundation, a position he left on May 1st when he moved his family to Maine. He previously served as executive director of the Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation, a steward of the 1876 Indian River Life-Saving Station.
Trapani said, “No organization has done more to save lighthouses than ALF, and that’s the primary reason I accepted their offer. The group is extremely committed. The potential to take the organization to the next level of growth is a remarkable opportunity I just couldn’t pass up.”
He went on to say, “Lighthouses will only be saved through a combination of hard work, education, and a constant commitment to fundraising. The more money that the American Lighthouse Foundation can raise through education and public awareness for the plight of our lighthouses, the more bridges of achievement will be built for the future. ALF’s efforts in saving numerous lighthouses from being lost, its effective stewardship of lighthouses through various chapters, its role as a national advocacy group, and its efforts to draw public attention through awareness and education makes it an honor for me to become the first executive director.”
Bob’s wife Ann-Marie is also no stranger to the lighthouse preservation movement and has worked by Bob’s side on many lighthouse projects. Ann-Marie will now serve as the assistant executive director for the foundation. Their three children, Nina, 12, Katrina, 10, and Dominic, 6, all said they are excited about their new life in Maine. If you guessed that they all love lighthouses, you guessed right.
Along with the operation of the Museum of Lighthouse History in Wells, Maine, the American Lighthouse Foundation has 18 lighthouses directly under its care. Last year, the group saved Prospect Harbor Lighthouse in Prospect Harbor, Maine, and has numerous other restoration projects underway.
To learn more about the American Lighthouse Foundation or
make a much-needed donation, you can visit their web site at www.LighthouseFoundation.org or call them at (207) 646-0245.
This story appeared in the
June 2005 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. The print edition contains more stories than our internet edition, and each story generally contains more photographs - often many more - in the print edition. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.
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