EC-CHAP Board of Directors
The Eastern Connecticut Center for History, Art, and Performance, Inc. (EC-CHAP) represents an important cultural resource serving communities and visitors to Eastern Connecticut and beyond. The Center’s purpose is to bring a heightened awareness to the significance of local history and preservation; provide an appreciation for the visual arts through education, creation and display; and offer performance events and opportunities for creative expression in music, film, dance, literature, and theater.
EC-CHAP is a 501.c.3 non-profit membership-based cultural organization currently operated exclusively by volunteers. Our Board of Directors currently consists of seven (7) members having a diverse collective background in business, education, and the arts. The organization was formally incorporated in the State of Connecticut in September 2016, having transitioned from a previous nonprofit group operating as the Friends of The Mill Works from October 2013 to August 2016.
Dr. Tom Buccino - Acting Chair
Tom is a retired GE Quality Engineer and K-12 Educational Administrator. He has a background in photography and music, and currently serves as EC-CHAP Executive Director.
Randall Bobb - Treasurer
Randy is a former Subway multi-store franchisee and real estate broker with an MBA from UCONN. He has experience in historic building restoration, construction and land development. He is retired and along with his wife, Arlis, own and operate a 100 acre horse farm. He has a lifelong interest and appreciation for music.
Nancy Lautenbach - Secretary
Nancy is currently employed with UnitedHealthcare and brings a wealth of experience to EC-CHAP in the areas of nonprofit administration, marketing and promotion, and community relations. She has served as an EC-CHAP Volunteer, and has a passion for history and preservation of historic assets.
Dr. Cindy Moeckel - Director
Cindy is a Professor of Accounting, retired from the University of Arizona, Tempe, AZ. Cindy also brings a passion for the arts and culture to our Board of Directors.
Alice Cassells - Director
Alice is an AT&T Technologist, retired. She is a direct descendant of Gardiner Hall Jr., founder of the Gardiner Hall Jr. Company (1860-1954), first US spooled thread concern in the US; and original founder of The Mill Works facility, home of EC-CHAP.
Nicole Zuraitis - Director
Grammy® Award Winner Nicole Zuraitis is a New York-based vocalist, pianist, and songwriter who took home the Gold Medal and Ben Tucker Jazz Award in the 2021 American Traditions Competition. The musical chameleon brings her signature warmth and outstanding vocals to various genres and styles, as demonstrated on her newest multi-hyphenate album, All Wandering Hearts (DotTime Records). As a bandleader, a recording artist, and the premiere vocalist of the world-famous Birdland Big Band and Dan Pugach Nonet, Nicole has established herself as a staple on the New York City jazz scene and has made a significant mark on the global modern jazz landscape.
Matthew Caraway - Director
Matt is an architectural lighting designer based out of NYC. With 8 years in the industry and an additional decade lighting for theater and dance, he hopes to put that experience to use for EC-CHAP. In his spare time, Matt operates a photography studio in The Mill Works.