
Our board of directors come from diverse backgrounds.
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
Our hands-on board contributes a significant amount of time and love to the Philadelphia Ship Guild. Many members have been around for years, and some new talent has recently joined in the passion of ship preservation.
OFFICERS

MELISSA BLACK-SIMMONS
BOARD PRESIDENT
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Board member since December 2014
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Business partner at Greater Philadelphia Property Management
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Real-estate owner, developer and manager

PATRICK FLYNN
BOARD SECRETARY
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Board member since July 2020
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Business partner at Mascher St. Works
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Licensed professional mariner and shipwright

MARCUS BRANDT
MARINE COMMITTEE CHAIR
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Board member since December 2018
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Proprietor of Marcus Brant Restorations
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Timber Frame and Historic Structure restoration specialist

JOHN TELENCIO MED, ATC, CSCS
EDUCATION COMMITTEE CHAIR
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Board member since December 2019
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Hamilton Township , NJ School teacher
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Professional Development Presenter, Educational Consultant
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Maritime Social Emotional Learning Facilitator

DESMOND CHEUNG
EVENTS COMMITTEE CHAIR
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Board member since March 2022
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Project Manager at Ascent Restoration

MARYBETH TOMLINSON
TREASURER
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Board member since August 2023
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IB Business Management Educator at Downingtown STEM Academy
BOARD MEMBERS

GINA PICKTON
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Board member since July 2020
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Business partner at Mascher St. Works
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Mariner, shipwright and project manager

ROBIN SCHIMPF
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Board member since December 2010
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Bar / Restaurant and rental property owner

LEON BROOKS
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Board member since August 2020
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Retired public school educator and librarian
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Historic re-enactor

LISA KOLIBABEK
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Sailed in and maintained various historic vessels
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Working as an Able Seaman on a tugboat on the East Coast, with an aspiration to work up to a mate's position
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Currently holds a 100 ton Near Coastal master's liscence, and a 1600 ton Near Coastal mate's license
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Volunteer at the Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue; engine house laborer at the Valley Railroad Company

JAMES HUTSON
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Board member since December 2024.
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Director of data science and machine learning.
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Former tech start-up founder.