BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Julie Hassett, Board Chair

Julie Hassett serves as Vice President and Chief of Staff for Enterprise Transformation Programs at Oracle, where she leads initiatives focused on AI adoption and organizational transformation. A former Echo Hill camper, counselor, and intern, she is committed to expanding access to the transformative outdoor experiences that shaped her own life.

Morgan Creamer Farah

Morgan Farah brings experience in entrepreneurship, merchandising, and business strategy from her work with Amazon subsidiary Casa.com. The daughter of EHOS co-founder Robert Creamer, she has maintained a lifelong connection to the school and its mission. She currently focuses on family, community engagement, and educational leadership.

Julia Chen Rinaldi

Julia Chen Rinaldi is a Senior Resilience Specialist at Arcadis, leading climate resilience and coastal infrastructure projects throughout New York City. A former EHOS educator, she combines expertise in environmental management, science education, and community engagement while helping strengthen partnerships that advance Chesapeake Bay education.

Julia King Pool

Julia King Pool is founder and CEO of Burn-in Mindset, a company focused on burnout prevention and workplace well-being. A nationally recognized educator and former Washington, D.C. Teacher of the Year, she spent a decade as an Echo Hill camper and counselor and remains deeply committed to youth development.

Keiffer J. Mitchell, Jr.

Keiffer Mitchell is a Vice President at BGR Group specializing in state and local government relations. His distinguished public service career includes roles in the Maryland House of Delegates, Baltimore City Council, and Governor Larry Hogan’s administration. He brings extensive leadership, policy, and governance experience to the board.

Ben Thompson

Ben Thompson is a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist with more than four decades of experience in counseling, education, and independent school wellness programs. A former EHOS teacher and longtime supporter, he has dedicated much of his career to helping young people thrive through emotional health and personal growth.

Sean Rapelyea

Sean Rapelyea is a senior political strategist and currently serves as Senior Advisor for External Affairs to Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker. A former Echo Hill camper and counselor, he has worked on major national, state, and municipal campaigns and brings expertise in public affairs, leadership, and stakeholder engagement.

Darius Johnson

Darius Johnson is a scholar-practitioner whose work connects public history, historic preservation, community development, and philanthropy. As Project Director of Chesapeake Heartland at Washington College, he leads initiatives that preserve and share African American history on Maryland’s Eastern Shore while advancing place-based education and civic engagement.

Myles Loller

Myles Loller is the owner of Radcliffe Corporate Services and brings nearly three decades of accounting, tax, and financial consulting experience. A Certified Public Accountant and community volunteer, he has served as treasurer for numerous charitable organizations and provides valuable financial stewardship and governance expertise to EHOS.

Dr. Stanley Dunn

Dr. Stanley Dunn is a pediatrician with the Nemours Foundation and a former EHOS naturalist, intern, and educator. His experiences at Echo Hill inspired a lifelong commitment to environmental education and service, including Peace Corps work in Gabon. He continues to connect medicine, teaching, and stewardship through his board service.

Michael Grossman

Michael Grossman is an entrepreneur and business owner with interests in fitness, wellness, and hospitality. He owns several businesses, including StretchLab franchises in Maryland, and has long supported Echo Hill as a former camper and staff member. His family’s connection to EHOS spans multiple generations.

Peter “Petey” Rice III, Executive Director (Ex Officio)

Petey Rice serves as Executive Director of Echo Hill Outdoor School. Since joining the staff in 2010, he has overseen operations, fundraising, and program growth while advancing the school’s mission of immersive outdoor education. A licensed U.S. Coast Guard captain, he brings deep institutional knowledge and leadership experience.

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.