Leadership

Board of Directors

Scott Shaw, Board Chair 

Alexandria Restaurant Partners

Frank M. “Rusty” Conner III

Covington & Burling

Walter “Trip” Howell IV

Formerly with Jones Lang LaSalle

Kirk Casey

Founder and Former Co-CEO of Metro Systems

Tom Church, Treasurer

USN, Retired

Patrick W. Burchette

Prince Street Ventures

Henry Fonville

Rappaport

Staff

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Kathleen Seifert, Executive Director

Our commander in chief.  Kathy brings years of experience in development and marketing on both the corporate and non-profit side. She is a long-time resident of Alexandria and has strong ties to the local community. Prior to joining Tall Ship Providence, Kathy served as the executive director of the Alexandria Seaport Foundation.

Kathy’s ties to Providence started at a young age as she was born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island. She spent her summers on the water and has a deep passion for boats, sailing and all the joys that living by the water provides. Kathy has a BA from Connecticut College and an MA from Georgetown University. She has three grown sons, four grandchildren and lives in Old Town.

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Captain Dillon Coppersmith, Director of Marine Operations

Our chief sail wrangler. Dillon has served as a yacht skipper in Tortola BVI and head sailing instructor and deckhand at Marine Corps Base Quantico Marina. He has significant experience as a maritimer including supervising crews, coastal navigation, rigging inspection and maintenance.  Dillon holds a 100-ton master's license with a sailing endorsement.

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Will Downing, Director of Operations

Our jack of all trades. An actor-turned-sailor, Will has served as our senior historical interpreter, our lead John Paul Jones character interpreter, and as a deckhand. Will is our boots on the ground, overseeing all of TSPF’s daily operations. In addition to his other roles, Will also manages Providence’s social media, along with Caroline.

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Caroline Carter, Director of Education Programming

After falling in love with tall ships while sailing with SEA (Sea Education Association) in the Sargasso Sea, Caroline returned to the waters of the Potomac aboard Providence. She has been a historical interpreter, a deckhand, a bosun, our program coordinator, and now as our Director of Education Programming. She develops our different Education Programs from 4th Grade and beyond and coordinates all of our student field trips. Caroline is a former Peace Corps Volunteer where she taught Biology, Physics, and ESL to high school students in rural Tanzania. Now, Caroline strives to create integrated curriculum combining History, STEM, and the Arts to meet learners where they are and inspire them to follow their passions. Caroline also manages Providence’s social media, along with Will.