OUR TEAM
Erin Kimmel, Executive Director
Exciting New Chapter for East End Seaport Museum The Board of Trustees of East End Seaport Museum (EESM) is pleased to announce the appointment of Erin Kimmel as the Executive Director. “Erin brings years of nonprofit experience to the position,” said Board Chair Sarah Mills Sands. “We are fortunate to welcome her ideas and energy to lead us to future greatness.”
Erin has more than 15 years of wide-ranging experience in curating, nonprofit administration, and fundraising. She has worked locally on projects for The Water Mill Center, Stony Brook University, as well as globally recognized arts organizations such as ArtForum and Ballroom Marfa. Erin comes to EESM with a remarkable ability to multi-task moving from strategic thinking to financial management to juggling operational roles. She has thrived in fast-paced environments requiring outstanding leadership and communication skills.
“Much of my prior work experience as a curator and lecturer honed my ability to move seamlessly between programming, administration, and public relations,” said Erin. Her experience also includes grant-writing and individual giving outreach, enabling her to strengthen organizational stability. As an avid sailor, a historian specializing in Long Island and a full-time resident of Greenport, Erin is closely connected to our area’s history and culture. “I am excited to lead the Museum and continue enriching Greenport’s contemporary culture by preserving and illuminating its important past.”
Erin holds a BA from McGill University and a MA from Stony Brook University. Erin is currently a PH.D candidate at Stony Brook University. Her dissertation focuses on issues facing small maritime communities on Long Island. Erin recently shared her goals for the position. “I feel that the Executive Director position at EESM is a natural step for me. I love living in Greenport and I am dedicated to our unique maritime community. I will approach day-to-day operations, the crafting of an institutional vision and the according alignment of program and sustainability efforts with steadfast and eager dedication.”
Joining Erin as Operations Associate is Shelter Island resident Shelly Fox. Shelly will manage much of the day-to-day operations of the museum. Her background in office management and coordination makes her ideally qualified to support Erin in fulfilling the East Ends Seaport mission and its many activities and programs. Shelly’s former positions include Fulfillment Coordinator for Stidd Systems in Greenport and several roles in the aerospace industry in Orlando, Florida.
Please join us in welcoming Erin Kimmel and Shelly Fox to the East End Seaport Museum community as they partner with the Board of Trustees to provide professional leadership for the Museum.
Sarah Mills Sands, Chair
A native Greenporter, Sarah brings 35 years of non-profit management experience to the position of chair including 14 years as an Executive Director. Sarah was one of three original Founders of East End Seaport Foundation in 1989 and was instrumental in raising the funds for the building of Bug Light in 1990. Coming full circle to lead the organization in 2025 is something she has imagined for many years. Sarah’s local roots include ancestors in the whaling, oyster and sailmaking businesses. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts from Boston University and completed Graduate Studies in Public Policy at George Washington University. She resides in Orient with her husband, David.
Joan Ripley, Vice Chair
Joan has served as an Assistant Superintendent of the Farmingdale and Plainedge School Districts for 19 years prior to retirement. She brings many years of experience as a teacher and administrator in elementary and secondary education. In addition Joan serves as President of Friends of Floyd Memorial Library. She holds a Doctorate in Education from St. John’s University which will be put to good use as the Chair of the Museum’s Education Committee. Joan also leads the Land & Sea Gala Committee. She resides in Greenport with her husband, Chris.
Tim Leitch, Treasurer
Tim is a seasoned financial professional with a wealth of experience from prestigious institutions, including JPMorgan Chase and M&T Bank, where he currently serves as a Senior Relationship Banker. Outside of his business career, Tim is deeply involved in the local wine community, contributing to wine education at Suhru and Lieb Vineyards. Having recently joined the board of Museum, he is excited to bring his passion for community engagement to support the museum’s growth and initiatives.
Karen Sauvigné, Secretary
Karen has 50 years of nonprofit management experience. She has held faculty and management positions at Mount Sinai, Cornell, CUNY Law School, John Jay College, and Baruch College, and chaired the Board of Callen-Lorde Health Center. She served on the Boards of the Asian American Legal Defense Fund, the Public Interest Law Foundation, and the Institute for Women and Work, as well as NYC’s LGBT swim team. She volunteers at SPAT (Cornell’s oyster project) and serves on the Grants Committee of North Fork Women. Her bio is included in Feminists Who Changed America (University of Illinois Press, 2006) for her pioneering work on sexual harassment in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Since 1988 Karen has had a home on the North Fork where she spent summers as a child.
Dave Abatelli, Board Member
Dave has served the North Fork for over 35 years in a myriad of roles. He is most well-known for his work with the Village of Greenport with twelve years in the Community Development Office and 17 years as the Village Administrator. He also worked for CAST, the North Fork Housing Alliance and served on the Greenport BID Board for many years. A retired Naval Reservist and graduate of Long Island University, Southampton, Dave and his wife Lydia operate Lydia’s Antiques and Stained Glass in Greenport.
Ellen Jaffe, Board Member
Ellen heads our Social Fridays Committee. Her four decades-long career as photographer, art director and graphic designer has ranged from newspaper photojournalism to magazine editorial and corporate production. She is co-founder of Davis + Jaffe, LLC, developing and producing multi-location events, product introductions, annual reports and shareholder meetings. Projects have included Times Square jumbotron design and production for Delta Airlines and AT & T as well as corporate conference design for MetLife and American Express. In 2012 Ellen received her second MTA Arts for Transit Commission. This series of photographs would become the ‘Trainscapes’ installation at Grand Central Terminal. An avid cyclist, Ellen is past president and proud Life Member of New York Cycle Club.
Dean Dimotsis, Board Member
Dean is a retired officer with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).He previously served as Deputy Director for Border Security at CBP’s New York Field Office and held senior roles at CBP Headquarters. Dean holds a BS in Biology from Adelphi University and an MS in Leadership and Management from the University of Maryland. A Southold resident since 2017, Dean is an active community member and volunteer with CAST, SPAT, and the East End Seaport Museum.
Nikos Kaplanov, Board Member
Nikos is an attorney for Siemens USA, a Germany-based technology company that focuses on healthcare, infrastructure, manufacturing, and transportation. In addition to his day job, Nikos serves as a volunteer attorney for the Pro Bono Partnerships of New York,fo cusing on Long Island non-profits. He also serves as a board member for the North Fork Polar Bears, which raises money for CAST and Back to the Bays through the Annual Polar Plunge. Nikos holds a BA in Political Science and International Studies from The Ohio State University and a JD from Temple University. A part-time Greenport resident since 2020 (and transitioning to full-time resident in Spring 2025), Nikos resides with his wife and their two sons.
Christopher Scott, Board Member
Christopher, founder of Nomadic Friend Productions, is a media specialist with over a decade of experience in content creation, social media strategy, and digital storytelling for global clients, including the U.S. Embassy and Viacom. A North Fork native, he is passionate about preserving local history and has worked closely with the East End Seaport Museum to enhance community engagement. Christopher brings expertise in modern media platforms to expand visibility, connect with younger audiences, and support funding efforts.
James Shuford, Board Member
James is a project manager for Sun River Health, New York’s largest network of community health centers since 2018. He has served as a board member of the Greenport BID, as well as serving as an advisory board member on the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health. James holds an MA in Anthropology from University at Albany, SUNY and since moving to Greenport in 2020 with his partner, Corinne, has discovered a passion for sailing and a love for the natural beauty and unique history of the North Fork.
Angela Spatorcio, Board Member
Angela is a seasoned executive assistant with 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. Currently, she serves as the Executive Assistant to the Global Head of Fundraising and Investor relations at Warburg Pincus, where she specializes in private equity transactions and stakeholder communication. Previously, Angela supported the CEO and Board Members at MUFG Securities Americas, co-chaired the Women’s Initiative Network, and played a key role in promoting diversity and inclusion within the organization. Her career began at Merrill Lynch, where she assisted high-level executives in fixed income and commodities.
Paul Kreiling, Volunteer Curator
Paul Kreiling, artist, sailor, teacher, local. Immersed in the beauty and culture of the North Fork, he has made a creative life here. Fascinated with the workings of the natural world, his work captures the ebb and flow of nature. As a visual artist he has always contributed to furthering the joy of people participating in what is unique to our area. To that end Paul has created many graphics for a variety of local activities and events. He is owner and operator of Easterly Sailing, a sailing charter business specializing in teaching the joy of sailing. Currently curator of the museum, Paul has been using his graphic skills to create evocative displays highlighting the rich history of the east end.
Beth Haskell, Volunteer Curator
Beth Haskell has a MA in American History from NYU as well as a Certificate in Museum Studies. She also has a Certificate in Computer Management from Columbia University. Her early career as a maritime historian included working at South Street Seaport Museum, Sailors Snug Harbor and with the art collection of the Seamens Bank for Savings. Second career included heading technology for the Trust for Public Land, Gay Men's Health Crisis, and 22 years at Central Park Conservancy.