back in action:
job skills program returns

Following a semester-long hiatus in fall, 2009, Rocking the Boat reintroduced the Job Skills Program this spring with a new group of 14 Apprentices-seven in each discipline-as well as two new Program Directors: Geoff McKonly and Dawn Henning.

Geoff is ideally suited to the position of Boatbuilding Job Skills Program Director, having founded his own nonprofit organization-the Philadelphia Wooden Boat Factory-with a similar mission to Rocking the Boat's. Geoff is excited to continue to help young people develop self-reliance through boatbuilding and put his woodworking and educational skills to use. A boatbuilding teacher at the Independence Seaport Museum, Peters Valley Craft Center, Chesapeake Light Craft, and the WoodenBoat School, Geoff earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in photography from the University of the Arts, pursued graduate work in art education, and is currently studying Naval Architecture at Westlawn School of Yacht Design.

"Adam and I spoke often when I was running my own youth boatbuilding program, so I feel very connected to Rocking the Boat. I'm tremendously excited to now be a part of the organization."

Dawn's strong academic science background-she graduated from Columbia University with a dual major in physics and environmental engineering-and practical work experience working with young people in the South Bronx have thoroughly prepared her to serve as the Environmental Job Skills Program Director. Most recently, Dawn worked as an environmental planner at Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice, where she led projects designed to improve the health of the Bronx River, increase public access to new waterfront parks, and empower community members to take action to further improve their local environment. Dawn has been a dedicated member of the Bronx River Alliance for over four years and currently serves on its Board of Directors and as the Co-Chair of its Ecology Team.

"I've always been passionate about protecting our environment and feel honored to be able to share this with such dedicated and motivated young people."

Please join us in welcoming Geoff, Dawn, and the following new Apprentices:


boatbuilding job skills apprentices





environmental job skills apprentices

board updates

Bill Isaacs, a Rocking the Boat Board member since 2008 and Secretary since 2009, was elected President at the spring meeting. He has demonstrated exemplary leadership, serving on the Executive, Finance/Audit, and Real Estate Committees and Chairing the Nominating Committee. Bill is a Vice President at HBO, overseeing original family, documentary, series, sports and film programming, and loves to sail. Looking to the year ahead at Rocking the Boat, Bill says, "2010 begins with excitement about the new location, the wonderful staff and the robust programs. Our new executive board team is already hard at work with the other board members and Rocking the Boat's supporters to complete the critical capital campaign and help Adam and the staff serve the community of the South Bronx even more energetically, if that's possible!"

Outgoing President Jassen Trenkov had filled that role since 2007. Jassen joined the Board in 2005 and served as Treasurer before rising to his former top post. He helped Adam shepherd the organization through a period of programmatic growth and physical expansion, not to mention the financial challenges of 2008 and 2009. He is also responsible for establishing numerous management and financial controls, his area of professional expertise as Deputy Chief of Staff of Internal Audit at Goldman, Sachs & Co. Jassen has just relocated to Goldman's Hong Kong office, but thanks to technology and his own phenomenal commitment will continue to participate as an active Board member.

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