2023 Board Members
- Steve Picarde, Chairman Steve joined the AMM Board in 2011. He is currently President and Founder of PI Midlantic, an Annapolis based consulting firm that builds high-performance organizations by applying proven systems in areas of Talent Management, Organizational Development, Executive Coaching, and Sales Assessment/Training.
- Ann Schweitzer, Vice-Chairman Ann is a marketing executive with over 25 years of experience in both the business and non-profit sectors. She has served on numerous boards and committee roles for a multitude of worthy non-profits including Board Chair for IONA Senior Services, a Board Member for The Lupus Foundation, Founding member of Box of Rain, Board Member for The American Women’s Club of London as well as Grants Committee Member for Anne Arundel Women’s Giving Circle.
- Cindy Whittle, Treasurer Cindy is a retired math teacher and curriculum development specialist. In 2012, Cindy and her husband retired and returned to Annapolis, where she became involved with the AMM as a volunteer. Eventually she joined the staff as the Venue Manager and built the program into a successful and robust feature for the Museum. Cindy had served as board president of Monterey Bay Spouse’s Club, as board treasurer of Child Justice in Silver Spring and as an active member of Anne Arundel Women Giving Together.
- Agnes Cobbum, Secretary Agnes is currently a Principal, Regulatory Affairs with Swiftwater Group, a drug development consulting firm. She began her career as a marine natural product chemist and held positions at Alba Therapeutics, MGI Pharma, and Guilford Pharmaceuticals. She moved to Annapolis in 1998 and joined the AMM Board in 2011.
- L.B. (Buck) Buchanan, Chair Emeritus Former advertising director at Leo Burnett Advertising, Chicago, and retired marketing executive for H.J. Heinz Company, Buck led the marketing campaigns for StarKist Foods, Weight Watchers and Nestle’s Taster’s Choice. Buck joined the Museum Board in 2001, serving as Chairman until 2010.
- Carol Sisco, Ph.D., Carol is the managing partner of Sisco Associates. She has worked as a clinician, consultant, and researcher in the field of addictions. She is the former Board Chair of the National Association for Children of Addiction (NACoA), a former chair of Reach Out Recovery (ROR), and a previous board member of Reading is Fundamental (RIF).
- Bill Cogar With a doctorate from Oxford University, Dr. Cogar was a Professor of Naval History at the U.S. Naval Academy from 1983 to 1998, the last four years also directing the Naval Academy Museum. He became Vice President at The Mariners’ Museum in Newport News, VA, and from 2002 to 2005 served as Vice President at Mystic Seaport Museum in Mystic, CT. He returned to The Mariners’ as Executive Vice President, and retired in late 2011 as President and Chief Executive Officer. He served on the Board of Directors of Historic Naval Ships Association (HNSA) for several years and beginning in late 2014 became that organization’s Executive Director. He is a published author on naval and maritime history and a frequent speaker at history and museum conferences.
- Derrick Cogburn Ph.D. Derrick is the founding Skipper of Sea Scout Ship 1959 in Annapolis. He serves as Vice Commodore of the Seafarers Yacht Club and as a board member of the Seafarers Foundation. Derrick is a member of the Board of Governors for the Chesapeake Bay Yacht Clubs Association, currently as Secretary. He also serves on the boards of the U.S. Chess Center and the Global Universal Design Commission. Professionally, Dr. Cogburn is a full professor at American University. He is the founding Executive Director of the AU Institute on Disability and Public Policy, and Faculty Co-Director of the AU Internet Governance Lab. In addition, he is Managing Member in Praxis Analytics, LLC, based in Annapolis.
- Andrew Davis Andrew Davis is a retired Marine Corps Reserve Major General, and most recently served as the Director of the CAPSTONE course at the National Defense University. In his civilian career, General Davis served for over 30 years in the newspaper industry as a publisher, editor, and reporter.
- Jay Fleming Jay is a professional photographer, educator, and publisher. He has worked around the world in the field of fisheries while documenting life on and in the water. The primary focus for his photography is on his home waters of the Chesapeake Bay. He also serves on the board of Smith Island United. Jay has a B.S. in Economics from St. Mary’s College of Maryland and two postgraduate degrees in Environmental Sciences.
- Dick Franyo Dick is a retired investment banker with Alex Brown of Baltimore and is currently the owner of the Boatyard Bar & Grill in Eastport. Past President of the National Sailing Hall of Fame, Board member of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Anne Arundel Medical Center Foundation Board, Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County, Annapolis Economic Development Corporation, Eastport Business Association, Dick has been vital in countless community organizations, joining the Board of AMM in 2003.
- Anne Harrington A real estate agent since 2004 with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in downtown Annapolis, Anne joined the board in 2018. She is the co-founder of Box of Rain, now affiliated with the Museum. Box of Rain served has served over 500 local youth, introducing them to maritime and environmental studies, including boat building.
- Michael Hughes Michael is currently President/Partner WRNR Radio, Annapolis, and WYRE, St Augustine, Florida, and President of MH Media Strategies, an independent marketing/consulting firm. A former board member of the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation and the March of Dimes, as well as six other community service organizations, Michael now serves on the Boards of the D.C. based Clean Energy Partnership, Maryland Theater for Performing Arts, Camp Letts YMCA, Anne Arundel Medical Center Foundation, and Annapolis Recreation and Parks.
- Mark McCulloh MarkMcCulloh is the Vice President of Business Development at MASA MTS. Markhas more than 30 years of experience in sales and finance. Locally,Markis dedicated to helping the Annapolis underserved demographic succeed through his commitment to the Box of Rain Program and has immersed himself in the Annapolis community, committing to the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park and naming itone of his favorite charities. Mark loves to be on and in the Chesapeake Bay and enjoys engaging friends and family on AMM’s historic skipjack,Wilma Lee.
- Frank Thorpe Frank joined the AMM Board in 2019. Born and brought up in Annapolis, he is a 1981 graduate of USNA and served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense and as the Navy’s Chief of Information. Following his Navy career, he has held senior corporate and not-for-profit marketing and leadership positions and is currently the President & CEO of the US Navy Memorial. He has served on multiple boards including Navy Federal Credit Union and Navy Mutual Aid Life Insurance and is a Trustee on the Naval Academy Foundation Athletic & Scholarship Program.
Education Advisory Committee
- Josh Falk | Chair of Education Advisory Committee
- Paul Bayne | Key School, Outdoor Education Department Head
- Beth Foster | Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Annapolis High School, Assistant Principal
- Amanda Miller | Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Environmental Literacy and Outdoor Education Office at Arlington Echo
- Nancy Merrill | Arundel Rivers Federation, Outreach Manager
- Becky Porzillo | Watermark Journey, Group Tour Manager
- Sarah Allen | Indian Creek School, Director of Curriculum and Instruction
- Josh Schmidt | AMM Education Volunteer
- Carol Sisco, Ph.D. | AMM Chairman
- Anne Harrington | AMM Board of Directors
- Jack Whitelaw | AMM Board of Directors
- Ted Berkinshaw | AMM Board Member
- Megan Fink | AMM Education Director