1 September 2018

By Göran R Buckhorn

The Community Rowing Inc. (CRI) in Brighton announced that the organisation has appointed Ted Benford as new executive director of the rowing club on the Charles River.

Benford has served as interim executive director since March of this year. He began as a volunteer and then coach and served as president of the board of directors and as a trustee. He was hired as director of operations in May 2016.

Lila McCain, president of the board, said: ‘We are exceptionally pleased that Ted has taken on this leadership role. His broad knowledge of rowing and CRI’s impact on the sport coupled with his background in operational leadership and organisational growth brought Ted forth after a nationwide search. His passion and commitment to CRI with his deep knowledge of our mission will enable him to plan more effectively for our future and introduce innovative approaches to strengthen our community.’

In a statement, Benfors said: ‘I am grateful for the opportunity to share the passion and commitment of CRI’s staff toward serving our mission. CRI is an incredibly creative and collaborative organisation, and strengthening the organisation and embracing the incredible diversity of our community is a priority. As our mission states, “Rowing changes lives” – that transformation happens one rowing stroke at a time, one interaction at a time, whether on the water or in our amazing facility.’

Among Benford’s goals, besides introducing rowing as a fun and healthy activity to more people of all ages, are to increase CRI’s extensive involvement with the Greater Boston community, including with veterans, para rowers, and young people.

Benford succeeds Bruce Smith, who served in the position for 10 years and left in the spring.

Recent Community Rowing developments include the purchase of a new fleet of 91 boats for rowers in all programs; the Row Boston program for Boston Public Schools students that is now at capacity with more than 3,350 having participated; an innovative culture that fostered design and production of a wakeless launch and new products and training regimens for para rowers; rowing hours that have grown to more than 350,000 a year; and continuing education in postgraduate coaching with the Institute for Rowing Leadership yearlong program.

CRI celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2015 and its 10th year in the award-winning Harry Parker Boathouse this year. The organization has earned the USRowing Club of the Year Award three times and has won recognition for its para rowing center.

Here is a video celebrating 10 years with the Harry Parker Boathouse:

Community Rowing will hold Raise the Oar to Meet the New Executive Director events 7-8 a.m. and 6:45-7:45 p.m. on 17 September at 220 Nonantum Road, Brighton. Members and the public can meet the new executive director and hear about CRI’s future.

For information: http://communityrowing.org