Former Brewster Administrator Takes Position with Boating Group

CCB MEDIA PHOTO
Charles Sumner, who has served as Town Administrator in Brewster for 29 years, has been named the first executive director for Pleasant Bay Community Boating.

HARWICH – Pleasant Bay Community Boating has named a long time Cape Cod town administrator as its first executive director.

Charles Sumner, who retired last fall after 29 years as Brewster Town Administrator, will helm the position.

The non-profit organization provides affordable and accessible sailing programs for families, children and individuals with disabilities.

“I look at what I really did in Brewster as the town administrator and it was a series of projects, problem solving and working on long-term issues,” Sumner said. “And I’m going to be doing the same thing at Pleasant Bay Community Boating.”

Sumner started in his new role last month.

“We have big plans,” he said. “We have a big capital campaign that we are going to be kicking off in a few weeks in order to raise money to further the mission.”

The organization acquired the former McClennen estate, a 3.6 acre parcel of land on Pleasant Bay, in December of 2014.

Sumner said fundraising is needed to improve and renovate several of the buildings on the land.

The organization also works with a number of environmental organizations to create more awareness of marine science issues.

“We want to partner with a number of different organizations and hold many new programs right on our campus at Pleasant Bay,” he said. “In the long we would also like to have a relationship with a facility or a series of facilities to expand marine education right at our campus as well.”

Sumner said the sailing programs will also be a focus and accessibility and affordability are the key.

“For a very reasonable cost a family can join our organization, get lessons and get out on the water at really one of the most beautiful places on Cape Cod.”

Ted Baylis, the president of Pleasant Bay Community Boating, said Sumner brings a superior administrative acumen to the position.

“He also possesses a wealth of local knowledge about how best to make projects happen on the Lower Cape,” Baylis said. “He knows the communities, the key organizations and the leaders.”

By BRIAN MERCHANT, CapeCod.com NewsCenter