GBR Board
and Committees
Our Executive Board
Great Bat Rowing’s Executive Board of Directors is composed of a diverse and highly skilled group of individuals, each bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the organization. Their collective leadership is pivotal in steering the strategic direction of the rowing club, ensuring excellence in both competitive performance and community engagement. The board members are passionate advocates for the sport, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for all rowers. Through its vision and governance, Great Bay Rowing has seen remarkable growth, consistently achieving high standards in training, events, and member services. Their commitment to innovation and sustainability reflects the club’s forward-thinking approach, securing its reputation as a leading force in the rowing community.
Our Board Members
Jennie Marshall
President, Boathouse Committee, Coach
Jennie, a former coach at UPenn, Harvard, and UNH, joined the GBR board three years ago as an empty nester eager to give back to the sport that has positively influenced her and her family. Her journey with rowing began in Durham in 1977 when she was introduced to the UPenn rowing coach by Jim Dreher. With a background in swimming, basketball, field hockey, and high jumping, Jennie took up rowing at Boathouse Row in Philly, launching a 40-year career in rowing and coaching at collegiate, national, and international levels. She has raced and trained across the US, Europe, and Korea.
Professionally, Jennie is the Director of Literacy in Salem Public Schools, where she manages federal projects and grants, supervises curriculum and assessment, serves as the homeless liaison, co-manages Salem’s End68 Hours of Hunger, and oversees K-12 ESOL, library, and reading intervention staff and programs. She has also served as the athlete representative on the Women’s Olympic Rowing Committee and as the inaugural president of the National Collegiate Coaches Association.
On the GBR board, Jennie leverages her extensive rowing and project management experience to run day-to-day operations efficiently and develop sustainable approaches for junior, masters, competitive, and recreational club members. Her favorite rowing experiences include cheering for her daughter’s crews, teaching her son to row, and racing in a mixed double with her husband. Jennie finds joy in witnessing athletes and their families discover the sport and its unique opportunities for growth.
Jennifer Fried
Vice President, Fundraising Committee, Parent Representative
Jennifer Fried is devoted to her family, her real estate clients, and the Seacoast community. She brings 18 years’ experience thriving as a classical musician to her work in real estate where she leads with creative confidence and integrity.
A proud Seacoast resident since 2005, Jennifer is currently a realtor with Great Island Realty. She has previously served on the boards of the Seacoast Area Mother of Multiples (SAMOM) organization and the Portsmouth Symphony. In addition, she is a passionate advocate for consumer education and empowerment through the research of Seacoast-specific real estate issues and was the creator and host of the Seacoast Home Crush Podcast.
Jennifer is a graduate of Northwestern University and the Eastman School of Music. She has triplet sons in high school and can be found cheering them on both on the water and on the baseball field. She shares her passion for making music and for her family with her husband, Claude.
Fred Loucks
Treasurer, Equipment Committee, Coach
Fred began rowing over 44 years ago in his hometown of St. Catharines, Ontario, which is also home to the Canadian Henley. Throughout his rowing career, he has been a coxswain, a lightweight rower, and a three-time member of the Canadian National Rowing Team. Fred was recruited to row at the University of Pennsylvania, where he served as team captain. He has dedicated most of his life to rowing, coaching, and supporting the sport’s development.
Before joining GBR eight years ago, Fred was a member of the Vesper and Malta Rowing Clubs. He has coached high school rowing and ski teams, as well as college rowing teams, most recently at UNH. He has also served three years as a GBR Board Member. When not on the water, Fred can often be found replacing wooden trailer beds, building and installing oar racks, opening his Salmonfalls Woodworks shop to repair and repaint boats or oars, or constructing whimsical car bumper benches for the boathouse.
Fred contributes his time, skills, materials, and shop space because he wants to ensure youth rowers have a quality experience and every opportunity to develop as athletes. His goal is to help build a community of healthy, happy youth and adult rowers in the Seacoast area.
Natalie Grimm
Secretary, Masters Athlete, Coach
Natalie Grimm began rowing with GBR as a masters rower in 2018 after graduating from the University of Maine. At UMaine, Natalie was a founding member and co-president of the UMaine Crew team. Previously, the school had only a small recreational rowing club. During her time there, the team grew into one of the most active sports clubs on campus, attending six regattas a year and winning the Sports Club of the Year award in her senior year. Natalie contributed as a rower, coach, and club officer, overseeing all aspects of the team. Under her leadership, the team’s fleet expanded from one 4+ rowing shell to five.
After graduating in 2018, Natalie moved to the seacoast area and continued rowing on the masters competitive team while also participating in logbook sculling. In the fall of 2021, she returned to coaching, working with the GBR junior team as an assistant coach. Natalie particularly enjoyed helping novice rowers develop their skills and fostering a love for the sport among all junior rowers.
Professionally, Natalie works as a marine canvas fabricator, creating custom boat canvas. In her free time, she enjoys skiing, hiking, crocheting, and chasing after her dog.
Margo Angelopoulos
Masters Athlete
Margo Angelopoulos discovered her passion for rowing in 2015 and has been an enthusiastic participant ever since. She began her rowing journey at the college level, where she quickly made a name for herself with her dedication and skill. Margo’s leadership qualities shone through as she took on the role of team captain, guiding her team to several victories and fostering a strong sense of camaraderie among her teammates.
After graduating, Margo continued to pursue her love for rowing by joining the masters rowing community. She has competed in numerous regattas, consistently showcasing her abilities and earning respect within the rowing community. Margo’s commitment to the sport extends beyond just rowing; she is also a certified rowing coach, dedicating her time to mentoring and developing new rowers.
Margo’s involvement with the GBR has been a significant part of her rowing career. As a member of GBR, she has contributed not only as a rower but also as a volunteer, helping to organize events and support the club’s activities. Her passion for rowing is matched by her dedication to building a supportive and inclusive community for all rowers.
In addition to her rowing achievements, Margo is an advocate for healthy living and fitness. She believes in the importance of physical activity for overall well-being and strives to inspire others to lead active lifestyles. Outside of rowing, Margo enjoys hiking, cycling, and exploring the outdoors. She is also an avid reader and enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Adam Gilsdorf
Boathouse Committee, Parent Representative
Adam is passionate about the unique community the Seacoast provides. He grew up in Durham, attending Oyster River and UNH. After graduating from UNH, he ran his own business in Dover before pursuing a graduate degree and teaching in Massachusetts. Wanting to raise his children in the Seacoast, he moved back to Durham 13 years ago.
Adam was introduced to rowing through his college roommate, a UNH coxswain, and later reintroduced through his son, who joined GBR in 2014. Although not a rower himself, Adam’s decision to serve on the board was inspired by spending rainy regattas grilling and chatting with Dave Shay, a great example of the GBR community spirit.
Adam brings a background in education, project and operations management, sales, and business development to GBR. With extensive experience coaching youth sports and organizing activities, he is eager to contribute to the board. Adam aims to increase youth and masters rowing participation, improve the facility, and expand GBR’s offerings for the Greater Seacoast community.
R.B. Laurence
Safety Committee
Renate Raeder
Master’s Representative, Coach
Renate, a resident of Durham since 2003, first learned to row as a child in Germany, and re-discovered the sport with GBR in 2006. She joined the board in 2013
She’s an active member of the masters group, sweeping and sculling, and always ready to take a new masters rower out on the river or jump in a boat when an extra person is needed. She has volunteered at National Learn to Row Day year after year when the club opens its doors and provides a chance to anyone to come try rowing. When she’s not rowing or volunteering, she can be found in a launch coaching novices, or teaching new rowers at the GBR Learn-to-Row programs. Renate joined the board to ensure masters representation in the club deliberations and planning, and has been instrumental in balancing and integrating the needs of the junior programs with the needs of the masters. Her perspective is avidly inclusive; she advocates for juniors, masters, competitive and recreational rowing members of the club alike.
Dave Shay
Equipment, Safety Committee
Dave Shay, a 40-year resident of the Seacoast currently living in Durham, was introduced to rowing through his daughter, who became a GBR junior rower after attending a Learn to Row camp in 2014. As a member of the equipment and safety committees, Dave is often seen driving the boat trailer to races, repairing rowing shells, or driving a launch at practice.
Explaining his decision to serve on the board, Dave says, “I decided to run for a seat on the BOD because I thought I might be able to contribute somehow. I’ve been around the water and boats my whole life, just not the long, skinny kind, so it seemed like a good fit and a fun opportunity to learn about a sport I knew very little about. I also saw the positive impact rowing and the GBR community had on my daughter and hoped that by serving on the BOD, I’d be able to pay that forward.”
Since 2009, Dave has been the Assistant Director for Marine Facilities and Operations at UNH. He is responsible for the marine research laboratories and all on-water activities for the School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering, ensuring the safe operation of a fleet of 14 boats, ranging from 12 to 50 feet in length. His duties include boat safety training for UNH students and volunteering with UNH Rowing, assisting with their launches.
Dave’s tireless contributions to the smooth and safe operations of the club are invaluable.
Felicia Sperry
Financial Aid Chair, Freedom Rows, Coach
Felicia was first introduced to rowing at Bucknell University while playing rugby, joining the program in its early years. At Bucknell, she rowed and coached as a graduate student and later rowed a season of Masters at GBR. With about five years of rowing and coaching experience, along with over ten years of coaching youth soccer, Felicia brings extensive non-profit and fundraising expertise to her board service. She led the PTOs at Mast Way Elementary School and ORMS, started and developed the OR Hockey Boosters, and served as parent coordinator for the OR Otters swim team, where she also officiated.
As a school psychologist with over 30 years of experience, Felicia has a deep understanding of the social and emotional development of local youth. She is committed to fostering a growth mindset and a sense of community at GBR. Known for her collaborative and problem-solving approach, she supports a systems perspective in club operations and decision-making.
Felicia’s love for rowing began in college. She says, “I fell in love with the sport of rowing when I was in college. I love it… it’s the only thing I ever got up at 4 am for! I loved the team component, the challenge of getting everyone to work together and move together, and when it happened… you worked to keep it going! I am so glad that I found out about GBR so I could share this sport with my kids and get a chance to row again as a master.”
Josh Weinstein
Parent Representative
With over twenty-five years in brand building, Josh believes in the power of big ideas. As President and Creative Director of his company, he leads creative strategies and concepts that drive client success, earning award-winning recognition. Born and raised in upstate New York, Josh graduated from Union College with a background in engineering and English. He began his career as a copywriter and creative director in New England before founding Creative Co-op in 2001.
Josh has worked with clients across various industries, including American Water, Timberland, iRobot, Huttopia, Berkshire Bank, Straumann Group, Spalding, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Major League Baseball, and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. He believes that successful work comes from a partnership perspective. Outside of work, Josh enjoys spending time in the mountains, at the beach, or on the water.
Join the Great Bay Rowing Community
Discover the joy of rowing and become part of our community.
Our Committees
GBR is a non-profit, volunteer-run program.
We encourage all members and Junior parents to join a committee.
Contact GBR if you are interested.
Fundraising
Jen Fried
Equipment
Dave Shay
Fred Loucks
Hallie Cheyne
Garrett Robinson
Boathouse Project
Adam Gilsdorf
Jennie Marshall
Margo Angelopoulos
Fred Loucks
Dave Shay
Marketing
Natalie Grimm
Programming
Hallie Cheyne
Jennie Marshall
Safety
RB Laurence
Dave Shay
Hallie Cheyne
Freedom Rows
Felicia Sperry
Hallie Cheyne
