BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jim Broderick

Jim Broderick rowed varsity crew in the late 1960's in Springfield, MA for Tech High School, a 3-year (10-12) public school with an enrollment of 2,200 students. At the time, Tech Crew boasted 3 freshman 8's, 2 JV 8's, and a varsity crew. Rowing on the Connecticut River out of the boathouse located by the North End Bridge, Tech scrimmaged with Classical High School, another Springfield public high school with crew, as well as with American International College, both of which also rowed out of the same north end location. Although he did not row in college, in the late 1980's after a hiatus of over 20 years, Broderick signed up for the YMCA's sculling program at Springfield's Riverfront Park (spearheaded by Laurie Campbell, another PVRC board member), and has been sculling recreationally ever since.

Jonathan Moss

Jonathan began rowing in 1987 when competing at Wesleyan University. He represented the United States by competing for the national team from 1993 through 1996. Winning international gold medals at the 1993 World Championships in the Czech Republic and 1995 Pan-American Games in Argentina, he's had the opportunity to compete with those at the pinnacle of the sport. He's also completed two Boston Marathons and one half ironman triathlon. Relocating to the Pioneer Valley in 2001, he began volunteering with the YMCA rowing program. When they discontinued operations, he worked with a core group of rowers to preserve river activities in the region by forming the PVRC in 2007 and establishing it's 501(c)3 non-profit status in 2009. Appreciating the beauty, tranquility and value that the river and bike path bring to the residents of the Greater Springfield area. Jonathan has worked at Baystate Health in Finance and Project Management since 2001.

Roger Jarosz

I started rowing in the Springfield YMCA rowing program in 1998 with no previous rowing experience. Having played various competitive sports including hockey at the collegiate level, I found rowing provided me with a competitive outlet, without the weight bearing grind of other sports. After a few years I acquired my own racing single and have competed in various fall head races. I liken rowing to snow skiing in that every day on the water or snow is texturally different. You may cover the same ski mountain or river but the sun, the clouds, the current, the wind, the temperature always makes it a one of kind experience, never to have been done before.

Laurie Campbell

I have always loved the water; growing up with small boats on the CT river and Cape Cod waters. I paddled canoes, boards, and kayaks; rowed dingys and learned to scull in 1986. My husband, Jeff, and I started the Springfield Y'MCA Community Rowing Program in 1987 with local funding and the Y's support. It's exhilarting now to see the expansion into North Riverfront Park; local youth rowing and adults enjoying the river once again!

nicole coakley

Julie Dougal

I was first introduced to PVRC when my son joined the middle school rowing program in 2015. I have seen first hand what a positive influence the youth programs have had on young people from my home community of Springfield and the surrounding areas. I knew nothing about the sport of rowing back then but have learned so much along the way! Although I have not made my way into a boat yet, preferring to support the youth from shore, who knows what the future holds!

Louisa Davis-Freeman

Louisa was born and raised on the shores of Eastern Long Island, NY where she developed a love for boating and the outdoors at an early age. She started competitively rowing while at Springfield College during the early 1980s and has rowed ever since. As a competitive rower she has raced throughout much of the northeast and in Great Britain. In addition to competing, she served on the board of Yankee Rowing Club in Amherst, MA for 25 years in various capacities and closely collaborated with others on the many responsibilities that come with running a community based rowing club. Professionally, Louisa is the Dean of Admissions at Springfield Technical Community College where she works extensively with many of the Springfield area schools, community based agencies, regional colleges and local employers. In addition, she also serves on the faculty at Springfield College teaching in their graduate school.

joesiah gonzalez

Charlie Hines

I began rowing in 1999, when I was 48 years old. I just fell in love with it and have rowed every season since then. My first race was in 2003 at the Green Mountain Head in Putney, VT and, again just loved it. I've been in at least one race each season since and hope to have many more. While rowing a single is a solitary pursuit, the camaraderie that surrounds the rowing is fantastic.

Janine Murphy

I first got involved with PVRC in 2011 when I attended a Learn to Row event when the club was still based in Longmeadow. Soon I was sculling on my own on the Connecticut River. I'm sure I wasn't doing it very skillfully, but I loved it. I've continued to scull off and on since then, but I've mostly been involved in the dragon boating program since it's inception in 2013. As a long time resident of West Springfield, I appreciate the club's mission of encouraging and supporting increased access to the river and to river based sporting activities. I've been on the Finance committee for several years and currently serve as the chair of that committee.