Meet the Team
Meet the Northern Ohio Surfrider Foundation Chapter
Meet the Northern Ohio Surfrider Foundation Team
The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world's oceans, lakes, waves, and beaches through a powerful activist network. There are 80 chapters and 100 youth clubs in the Surfrider network.
Surfrider's work is largely made possible by the work of incredible volunteers on our Executive Committee and Core Volunteer network.
Want to join one of our committees? Email us at one of the links listed below.
Senior Regional Manager
Sarah is an integral part of our Chapter Management team as she oversees 17 chapters in the Great Lakes, Southeast and Texas, and provides them with support, training, and resources that they need, spanning diverse topics such as fundraising; recruitment; team management; program and campaign planning; and policy and advocacy. Sarah enjoys spending time outdoors gardening, hiking, standup paddleboarding, and being with her family.
Chair
Val Flors is our executive chair for the Northern Ohio Surfrider Chapter. She's passionate about sustainability, loves adventure and being in nature and near the water. She's been paddleboarding for two years and is looking forward to competing in her first race this summer.
"I'd love to hear from you have ideas or want to get more involved in the Northern Ohio chapter."
Email: Chair@northernohio.surfrider.org
Volunteer Coordinator
Lara Roketentz is our volunteer coordinator for the Northern Ohio Surfrider Foundation chapter.I am obsessed with our Great Lakes.
"I am a Midwestern gal and I feel like the Great Lakes are our best kept secret. We have issues with toxic algal blooms and “traditional” pollution, but are seeing an uptick in plastic pollution and nurdles on our beaches. These impact not only beach and lake aesthetics but also the ecological health of humans and wildlife as they degrade over time. In fact, some nurdles from a Cleveland beach were found to have some of the highest levels of DDT in the world - and that alone can have catastrophic effects on the little critters at the lower levels of the food chain and work its way up."
Email: VolunteerCoordinator @northernohio.Surfrider.org.
Secretary
Matthew Park is our executive secretary for the Northern Ohio Surfrider Chapter. He became involved with Surfrider Northern Ohio in 2021 as part of grassroots effort to preserve a regionally significant surf spot in Lorain, Ohio. He has been surfing the great lakes for over two decades and supports Surfrider Northern Ohio with a focus on fair beach access for all.
Email: Secretary@northernohio.surfrider.org
Marketing Coordinator
Dave Kaminski is responsible for the promotion of the northern Ohio Surfrider Foundation mission, programs and events. Dave learned to surf in San Diego, and now is an active kayaker and fisherman. In his spare time he spends it with his dog, Tobin.
"I think Lake Erie is one of our most under valued resources in Cleveland. When I moved home to CLE from SD, I was very happy to learn that there was a local Surfrider chapter. I'd love to see more of my friends get involved with this organization and keep the Great Lakes looking great."
Email: marketing@northernohio.Surfrider.org.
Treasurer
Alison Taylor is our executive treasurer for the Northern Ohio Surfrider Chapter. She is an avid surfer, paddle boarder and knitter who happens to be an accountant. That's why she is currently the treasurer, not the Chair.
Email: Treasurer@northernohio.surfrider.org
Open Positions and Committees
Vice Chair
This person supports the Chair, is a spokesperson for the chapter, and helps lead the Executive Committee and chapter.
- Runs meetings in the chair’s absence
- Performs other duties of the chair as needed (checks chapter email account, provides support to other EC members, reports to regional/national staff, and speaks on behalf of the chapter)
- Ideally chairs a committee of the chapter, either event or campaign committee
- Contribute to the Chapter’s website and Social media pages .
Events Coordinator
This person can be the lead for a campaigns like “Ban Plastic Bags in our little town USA”, or for a program like Great Lakes Friendly Restaurants, or for events like clean ups, fundraisers or recruiting events.
- Organizes/coordinates fundraising events, tabling events, virtual events.
- Holds committee meetings and makes agendas
- Reports to Executive Committee regularly
Committees
Do you want to get involved with our organization? Become a volunteer or come join us at one of our upcoming events.
We are always looking for committee team members to help us promote, educate, recruit or organize events for the chapter. Email any of the chapter executive committee to get involved with our Northern Ohio Chapter. Opportunities include, but not limited to:
- Public Relations & Social Media
- Great Lakes Friendly Restaurant coordination and recruiting
- Recruiting at other events, like Blazing Paddles Paddle Fest
- Donation coordination
- Educational events
Got an idea that you are passionate about? Email us and get involved.