Meet the Team

Nat’s connection to the sea began in the waters of Rhode Island where he learned to sail and fish alongside his father, uncle and grandfather in Block Island Sound and Buzzards Bay.

During college, Nat spent a transformative semester with Sea Education Association, sailing aboard the research vessel Westward from Portugal to the Caribbean. After graduation from Connecticut College, Nat spent three years living aboard a 52-foot Malahide trawler with his wife and children, cruising the Intracoastal Waterway. When the family moved ashore to Newport, Rhode Island, Nat’s dedication to environmental stewardship deepened and led him to co-found Newport Biodiesel, Rhode Island’s first commercial-scale biodiesel production company. After moving to Providence, Nat co-founded Remix Organics Co., Rhode Island’s first commercial waste organics collection company and served as a Board member and Board President of The Steel Yard, an industrial arts nonprofit organization.

Combining his maritime experience, environmental expertise, and business acumen, Nat is excited to build upon the legacy established by his father over 25 years ago.

An avid sailor with a passion for offshore racing, Richard has served as watch captain in competitions from Bermuda to Halifax and throughout Long Island Sound. His passion for the sea and commitment to maritime education inspired him to found Block Island Maritime Funding Inc. in 2000, establishing an organization that has now spent a quarter century supporting maritime education programs.
After raising four sons with his late wife Nancy in suburban Philadelphia and establishing a successful career in commercial insurance, the couple relocated to Block Island, Rhode Island. Richard is a graduate of Brown University and a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. His leadership has established BIMF as a vital bridge between boat owners seeking to support maritime education and the non-profit organizations that make it possible.

Linda is a graduate of Simmons College, and was an English teacher in Pennsylvania where she raised her family. She has 1 daughter, 2 sons and 8 grandchildren. Linda “retired” to Rhode Island in 2010 and subsequently joined her brother, Richard, to help run BIMF. She enjoys walking her dog, Cooper, on the beach and takes every opportunity to get out on the water.

Liz grew up along the shores of Long Island, New York, where her lifelong connection to the water first took hold. She moved to Maine nearly 25 years ago and now lives just outside Portland. A former Rear Commodore of the Wiscasset Yacht Club, Liz has always found her community on the coast. She and her family—her son and his wife and twin daughters—spend their summers cruising aboard their 1960 Jonesport-style Beal-built lobster boat and their winters tucked away at their cabin on Rangeley Lake.

Originally from Sweden, Lars has been affectionately dubbed a “serial entrepreneur” by friends—a title earned through starting and successfully selling multiple businesses across three countries. After spending five years in England, Lars moved to the United States 25 years ago, where he continued building and growing ventures across various industries.

Lars brings his international business experience and entrepreneurial mindset to his role as Business Manager at The Block Island Maritime Funding, helping ensure the organization’s financial stewardship supports its mission of connecting boat donations with maritime education programs.

With a 40-year love affair with classic boats—building them, running a boatyard, and captaining charters—Brad brings a wealth of expertise to Block Island Maritime Funding. As the fleet manager, Brad’s passion shines through in his dedication to finding new homes for cherished boats, all while fully embracing and celebrating the boating culture.

Brad has had the pleasure of owning and operating many vessels including:

INFANTA – 47’ Rhodes Yawl
ALIANZA – 47’ Alden  Ketch
SEA CHATEY – 36’ Angleman Ketch
ISLAND MAIDll – 47’  Northwest trawler