Lighthouse Preservation Group Hires Executive Director



The American Lighthouse Foundation, the nation’s leading lighthouse preservation organization, announced today the appointment of Bob Trapani, Jr. as its first Executive Director.



“We are honored that Bob accepted the position,” said Tim Harrison, president of the nonprofit organization that is based out of Wells, Maine. “Bob brings years of leadership experience in building and managing nonprofit maritime organizations to our group,” said Harrison.



The hiring of Trapani comes after a yearlong nationwide search by the group to find someone who could become the first executive director of the 11-year-old organization.



The American Lighthouse Foundation (ALF) prides itself on what’s been accomplished with volunteers only since our founding in 1994,” said Harrison. “We have helped save lighthouses all over the United States, we have created the largest archive of lighthouse history, and we founded the Museum of Lighthouse History, which now has some of the rarest artifacts from the old United States Lighthouse Service and Coast Guard on display in the United States. However, it was now time to take our organization to the next level by making a commitment to the hiring of a full time executive director. We exist solely on donations, so this is a big step for us as well as a risk -- not only for us, but also for Bob and his family.”



Trapani is currently the President of the Delaware River and Bay Lighthouse Foundation, a position he will leave on May 1st when he moves his family to Maine. He previously served as executive director of the Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation, a steward of the 1876 Indian River Life-Saving Station.



Trapani said, “No organization has done more to save lighthouses than ALF, and that’s the primary reason I accepted their offer.”



He went on to say, “Lighthouses will only be saved through a combination of hard work, education and a constant commitment to fundraising. The more money that the American Lighthouse Foundation can raise through education and public awareness for the plight of our lighthouses, the more bridges of achievement will be built for the future. ALF’s efforts saving numerous lighthouses from being lost, its effective stewardship of lighthouses through various chapters, its role as a national advocacy group, and its efforts to draw public attention through awareness and education makes it an honor to become the first executive director.”



Along with the operation of the Museum of Lighthouse History in Wells, Maine, the American Lighthouse Foundation has 18 lighthouses directly under its care, with all but one in New England. Last year the group saved Prospect Harbor Lighthouse in Prospect Harbor, Maine, and has numerous other restoration projects underway.



To learn more about the American Lighthouse Foundation you can visit their web site at www.LighthouseFoundation.org or call them at 207-646-0245.