BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Georgina Creamer
Special Education Teacher, Baltimore City School System
Baltimore, MD

Robert F. Creamer, Jr
Emeritus Professor, Community College Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD

Julia M. Hassett
Oracle Corporation
Washington, DC

Leslie S. Morgenthal
Community Volunteer
New York, NY

Mel S. Rapelyea, M.D.
Contract Radiologist
Betterton, MD

Peter P. Rice, Jr.
Worton, Maryland

Terry V. Rice
Principle, Terry V. Rice, CPA, LLC
Rockville, Maryland

John Schick Restaurant Design and Management, West Chester, PA

directors

Peter “Petey” Rice, III, Executive Director

As Executive Director at Echo Hill Outdoor School, Petey brings extensive experience in outdoor education, event management, and strategic planning. In 2010, Petey joined the staff at Echo Hill Outdoor School as Assistant Director and licensed USCG Captain. His tenure at EHOS has been marked by oversight of operations, program expansion, and fundraising. With a diverse background that includes roles at Echo Hill Camp, New York Road Runners, and Tough Mudder, Rice's career has been dedicated to environmental education and program development, as he is passionate about supporting the School’s mission of providing students with transformative outdoor experiences in his role as Executive Director.

Elizabeth Zelter McCown, Associate and Managing Director

Betsy joined Echo Hill Outdoor School in 1979 after earning a B.S. in Community Leadership and Development from Springfield College, Springfield, MA. Diverse involvement in outdoor adventure pursuits coupled with many years at a recreational summer camp built her foundation for individual and group development. She became an Associate Director in 1981 and has continued to work full time ever since. Betsy oversees all daily operations, the professional training and development of personnel, coordinates the yearly calendar of attending schools and groups, and helps to maintain a high standard of quality programming. In September 2011, Betsy joined the Board of Trustees for The Gunston School in Centreville, Maryland. At the heart of Betsy’s direction is her ability to facilitate personal growth and development and build a sense of community. Growing up in rural western New York State instilled in her a keen appreciation for creative play in the natural environment. The McCown family enjoys living on the Outdoor School’s nature preserve and appreciates the unique setting and community they call home.

andrew R. Mccown, Associate director, Director of Summer Programs and Historic Fleet

Andrew R. McCown has worked with Echo Hill Outdoor School since 1977. He founded the School’s Summer Explore Trips program in 1979, and became an Associate Director in 1981. Andrew’s contributions to the school’s mission and methodology have been instrumental to the programs’ effectiveness and success. Captain Andy worked as an oysterman for eight winters as he captained the Skipjack Elsworth, one of the last of the great dredge boats of the Chesapeake. In 2008 the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) awarded Andrew with the Robert Finton Outdoor Educator of the Year Award. For over forty-five years, Captain Andy was Echo Hill Outdoor School’s Historic Fleet and Bay Studies Director.  In his current part-time role, he carefully advises and consults in these areas.  Andrew continues to perform with the critically acclaimed folk group, Chesapeake Scenes.  Andrew, and his wife Betsy are caretakers of the School’s 172 acre Nature Preserve.

Deborah Grigsby, Assistant Director

Debbie joined Echo Hill Outdoor School in 1991. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science from the University of Virginia. Her love of the outdoors began as a young child spending cherished times with family in the countryside surrounding her Front Royal, Virginia, home. She actively directs Echo Hill’s challenge course, is one of the school’s USCG licensed captains, and teaches an array of classes. Debbie coordinates the weekly program schedule, assists with personnel and risk management, and is instrumental in helping to maintain our program standard in all areas. Debbie lives with her charismatic son Benjamin, who enjoyed growing up in the Echo Hill community.Debbie

Robin Whitney, Business Manager

Robin joined Echo Hill Outdoor School as Business Manager in July 2013. A native New Yorker, she brings a diverse business background that includes department store retail management and outside sales in New York City, as well as payroll and accounting experience with Radcliffe Corporate Services in Chestertown, Maryland. Robin has found her professional home at EHOS, combining her expertise with a passion for supporting students, teachers and co-workers in the non-profit world of outdoor education. She performs all business operations for the organization, including accounts receivable and payable, budgeting, audit preparation, and payroll. She also serves on the Development team assisting with grant writing, fundraising initiatives, and special events. Robin holds a B.S. degree in Biological Sciences and Psychology from Carnegie Mellon University.

Shari Perkins, School Secretary/office manager

Shari grew up in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania where she attended the University of Pittsburgh for coursework in Business Management and Accounting. During her career, Shari has gained extensive administrative office experience in project planning, stakeholder communication, onboarding, and organizational change management. She has successfully led and supported high-impact initiatives—including digital transformation projects, DEI programs, and eCommerce platform development—while managing budgets, timelines, and risk mitigation strategies.

In 2019, Shari relocated to Middletown Delaware and purchased her first home. She is a dedicated and solutions-oriented professional, skilled in building relationships, streamlining operations, and supporting program goals through clear communication and strategic problem-solving.

Her three daughters are now adults and the oldest is married with three daughters of her own. They live in Texas where Shari enjoys visiting, taking the girls on shopping trips, and outdoor adventures to amusement and water parks. Shari enjoys traveling and cruising to other countries to learn about and taste the cuisine of their culture. In her leisure time she can be found listening to jazz music and reading books on a blanket in a park or on the beach.