Friends of the National Park Service at Sandy Hook, NJ

Who We Are

The Sandy Hook Foundation is the official friends group to the National Park Service at Sandy Hook, New Jersey, a unit of Gateway National Recreation Area. Established in 1989, the Foundation has funded cultural, educational, environmental, and conservation programs and has helped restore and preserve historic structures of the Sandy Hook Lighthouse and Fort Hancock — both National Historic Landmarks.

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization that relies on the generosity of individuals, foundations, and corporations, as well as dedicated volunteers, to accomplish our mission.

Board of Trustees

• Peter Izzo, Chairman

  Pete was born and raised on the shore, having attended both Rumson Country Day School and Christian Brothers Academy. After graduating from Boston College, Pete moved to New York and began his career in finance. Currently Pete serves as a Managing Director at Merrill Lynch in New York, and is the founder and managing partner of one of the largest private wealth management teams at Merrill Lynch and in the industry as a whole. Pete served as the Chairman of the Advisory Council to Management, a group of 15 advisors who represent Merrill Lynch’s 15,000 advisors. Pete and his family made their move to Rumson in 2020, where he currently resides with his family. Pete is dedicated to making our national park, Sandy Hook, the best destination it can be, for visitors who come from around the world.

• Gerard Glaser, Vice President/Special Projects

  Gerry and his family have roots in New Jersey that span generations, and Sandy Hook has been a place of joy and for him, his children and grandchildren for decades. With a home in Rumson, he is able to introduce new friends (and new family members) to the cultural and recreational wonders of this special place. He is a retired executive with the National Science Foundation, and is committed to introducing others to the educational and recreational opportunities that Sandy Hook has to offer.

• Richard Lilleston, Treasurer

  Dick and his wife Elizabeth moved to Fair Haven in 1977 where they raised three daughters. An avid fisherman, Dick has spent many hours pursuing striped bass and blue fish from Sandy Hook’s beaches. After retiring as a financial services executive, Dick  joined the Foundation’s Board where his primary interest has been in promoting hands on environmental education programs and camping.

• Eric Dowell, Secretary

  Eric Dowell became a New Jersey resident through marriage. He was born and raised in Northwest Montana, and spent countless hours during his formative years exploring the great outdoors. After college and law school in central Virginia, Eric began his legal career in New York City, and met his future wife, Sam, who was born and raised on the Jersey Shore. Eric and Sam moved back to New Jersey in 2006, and settled in Navesink, where they now live with their two girls.  Eric's love for the natural beauty of Sandy Hook, and interest in both its history and its future, is what drew him to serving on the Board. He believes that Sandy Hook is "one of the true treasures of our area," and that the Foundation plays a critical role in advising and advocating on local interests for Sandy Hook. Eric is the Head of Litigation for Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. & Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., and since 2021, also has served on the Board of the Duryea-Navesink Library Association, which is focused on the restoration and reopening of the historic Navesink Library as a community hub.  

• Ellen Bollinger

  Ellen is a resident of Atlantic Highlands and is a sales and marketing executive with years of experience in local, national and international news media. She has served on the Board of the Sandy Hook Foundation since 1998, after launching a glossy magazine for ferry commuters, Pierless. Her current consulting work encompasses non-profits, travel, technology, and cannabis media organizations and she is launching a phone App. Ellen serves on the Sustainable Green Commission of Atlantic Highlands and as Secretary of Working Films, a North Carolina-based nonprofit to connect nonfiction filmmakers with resources for social engagement. Her husband is a writer, and their son lives in New Orleans and works for The Restore Council to rebuild Louisiana’s coastal and ecological integrity.

• Charles Gutch

  Charles (CJ) is a lifelong Monmouth County resident. He is currently a Vice President at Bank of America in New York City and holds a degree in Business Administration from The College of New Jersey. CJ worked previously as a National Park Service ranger at Sandy Hook from 2008 to 2012 and has volunteered with the Foundation since 2007. He also serves on the board of directors of the Aston Martin Owners Club North America.

• Matt Haddad

  Matt has decades-long connections to Sandy Hook anchoring his commitment to preserving its natural beauty and rich history. Growing up in the nearby Navesink section of Middletown, Sandy Hook factored prominently in his childhood.  From family dog-walking trips among the bay side tidal pools, to exploring the historic buildings and batteries of Fort Hancock, to fall and winter surfing at “The Cove,” Sandy Hook has influenced his life in many positive ways.  In recent years, Matt has loved introducing his wife Sarah and their three young children to the park, watching their eyes light up as they explore the same habitats and historic structures that amazed him as a child.  Matt is a graduate of Lafayette College and Cornell Law School, and is a practicing attorney with the international law firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP in New York City. He also serves as a trustee of The Rumson Country Day School.

• Christine Harrington

  Christine Harrington was raised in Lincroft, NJ and has many fond memories from her childhood of Sandy Hook and neighboring beaches.  She is currently employed by Blackstone, a NY based alternative investment firm, as a Managing Director of the private credit investment team. Christine graduated from Fairfield University.  Christine made the move from NYC to Rumson in 2020, where she currently resides with her husband and three young sons.  As a mother, it's truly been a gift to be able to explore this beautiful national park - right in our community.  Christine is committed to making Sandy Hook the best destination it can be.  

• Brian Malley

  Brian is a lifelong Monmouth County resident. He is currently employed by the national design firm Mancini Duffy, a full-service design firm specializing in architecture, planning, and interior design. Headquartered in New York City with regional offices in Millburn and Red Bank, New Jersey, Brian works from the Red Bank office, bringing him closer to Sandy Hook. Brian holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Philadelphia University, and worked previously as a National Park Service ranger at Sandy Hook from 2008 to 2017 and has volunteered with the Foundation since 2008.

• Maren Morsch

  Maren currently serves as Communications and Special Events Manager at the nonprofit Princeton-Blairstown Center in Princeton, NJ. Her background includes work with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation as an environmental educator and as an AmeriCorps service member. She holds an undergraduate degree in Communications from The College of New Jersey and a Master of Public Administration from New York University. Ms. Morsch worked previously as a National Park Service ranger at Sandy Hook from 2008 to 2012 and has volunteered with the Foundation since 2009.

• Scott Rosenblum

  Scott is an avid runner, lifelong surfer and resident of New Jersey. He and his wife were both born and raised in Princeton, NJ where he attended the Hun School. He then graduated from Roanoke College in Virginia, for whom he serves as co-chair of the NYC alumni committee. Scott has lived on the Jersey Shore since 2011 and currently resides in Fair Haven with his wife, Moriah, and their 3 young sons. He runs a high net worth private wealth management team at Merrill Lynch based in Lower Manhattan. Scott prioritizes the strength of each personal client relationship by gaining a deeper understanding of what a family or organization hopes to accomplish across both their financial and personal lifelong goals. Whether catching the break at The Cove with his boys or enjoying the solitude of running the wooded beachside trails, Sandy Hook is his most treasured escape from the fast-paced life that comes with living in New Jersey and working in New York City. Scott feels truly lucky to help share and shape the future of this incredible backyard for local residents and visitors to the park. 

• Samantha Sieka

  Samantha Sieka has always been a Jersey girl, growing up in Sparta and now residing in Jersey City with a summer home in Toms River.  The Jersey Shore has always had a special place in Sam’s heart, as she spent many summers by the ocean at Sandy Hook and on the boardwalk at Point Pleasant.  Sam is a Monmouth University graduate and currently serves as the Vice President of Human Resources at Empire State Realty Trust. Her time in Retail and Commercial Real Estate has afforded her the development of key skills and abilities related to revenue growth, people & culture, client satisfaction, and operations. In her role at Empire State Realty Trust, Sam leads the company’s volunteerism initiatives which are focused on sustainability, the environment, and providing resources to the community. 

• Russ Smith

  Since his days growing up in Fair Haven, Sandy Hook has been near and dear to Russ’ heart. He spends many days running and riding his bike there, and has enjoyed countless hours exploring Sandy Hook's historic buildings and wildlife with his family. Russ says “we are very fortunate to have such a National Treasure in our backyard, and my current weekend runs on Sandy Hook are invaluable to me. As a father of two young children, I love the fact that I can share my love of Sandy Hook with them, and it is rewarding to see them light up when I tell them we are heading out to “explore at Sandy Hook.” Russ is a local business owner and serves as Co-President & CFO of Flexcraft, headquartered in Neptune City, NJ.  

• Shannon Torres

  Shannon began her military career with service in the Army National Guard and matriculated to the Monmouth County Sheriff's Department, which led to a 26 year career in law enforcement.  Throughout her professional career, Ms. Torres has demonstrated leadership and excellence in law enforcement, leading to her current position as Chief of Police for Keyport Borough. Ms. Torres currently serves on the Bayshore Police Chiefs Association as Sergeant at Arms, and serves on the Monmouth County Police Chiefs Association Executive Board.  A strategic thinker, Shannon has optimized staffing for her precinct, fostered cross-jurisdictional partnerships, and excels in orchestrating security plans for large-scale, high-volume events. She is originally from Keyport, NJ and resides in Monmouth County with her husband Nicholas, her children, Jordan and Xavier, and their three dogs.

• Melissa Ziobro

  Melissa is a lifelong New Jerseyan who is passionate about protecting and promoting the natural and cultural resources of our beautiful state. She is an alumnus of Monmouth University - where her studies included an internship with the NPS at Sandy Hook in 2003. Following her graduation, she worked as a Command Historian at Fort Monmouth through the base closure in 2011. She then returned to her alma mater to teach, which was followed by her appointment as Curator of the The Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music at Monmouth University (in addition to publishing her research and organizing numerous public history projects). 

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  Trustees Emeritus

• Patricia Alcaro

• Elizabeth Barrett

• Raymond Cosgrove

• Richard Eittreim

• Gregory Harquail

What is a Friends Group?

“Friends groups have long been the primary philanthropic partners of the National Park Service (NPS). They go by many names, such as Foundation, Trust, Association, and Conservancy. They maintain long-term relationships with the NPS, and they support parks and programs in a variety of ways, including fundraising and providing volunteers, donated goods, and services. While some groups maintain full-time fundraising staff and engage in multi-million dollar capital campaigns, others provide valuable volunteer support or more targeted philanthropic support, especially for smaller or lesser-known parks or programs. Regardless of their size, their importance in addressing park needs, being a voice in neighboring communities, and creating future stewards is invaluable.”

-National Park Service, Director’s Order #21