Press Releases

MANASQUAN, N.J. (July 20, 2020) - Algonquin Arts Theatre has welcomed four new members to its board of trustees.

Larry Durso of Shrewsbury, Carrie McGowan of Brick, Trisha D. Scudder of Brielle and Ann Slavick of Wall began three year terms effective at the start of the theatre's new fiscal year on July 1, 2020.

"We appreciate Larry, Carrie, Trisha and Ann coming on to steward the future of the theatre during the most challenging period in the organization's history," said board chair Eliot Colon. "Each individual brings a varied experience to the organization both from professional experience as well as past involvement as Algonquin patrons, sponsors and volunteers."

The COVID-19 pandemic has had massive financial and operational impacts on Algonquin Arts Theatre, which has been unable to host live performances since mid-March. With social distancing regulations expected to remain in place during the months ahead, the theatre faces a challenging road ahead.

Three trustees wrapped up terms that ended at the end of the previous fiscal year on June 30, 2020. Kathie Adams, Judith Leone and Dale Wegener together have spent nearly 20 years serving on the Algonquin board.

"We appreciate the many years of service that Kathie, Judy and Dale gave to the organization" said Colon. "They leave a legacy of being a part of the organization's best years artistically and financially as we put up great shows that played to full audiences."

Algonquin Arts Theatre board is Chair Eliot Colon, Vice Chair Ron Gaffney, Secretary Jan Blanton, Treasurer Dominick Palumbo, Dara Brown, Christine Carlson, Larry Durso, C. Keith Henderson, Carrie McGowan, Ed O'Malley, Trisha D. Scudder, Ann Slavick and Heidi Wittenberg.

LARRY DURSO
Lawrence Durso has been in the financial services industry since 1978. He has primarily focused on creating solutions for unique problems typically associated with high net worth clients and their families. He recently launched ShoreHaven Wealth Partners, an independent wealth management firm based in Red Bank.

He has appeared in "As Seen In ..." in Bloomberg Businessweek, Fortune and Money magazines. He has been quoted in trade publications such as Registered Representative. Every year since 2013, NJ Monthly magazine has selected Larry Durso as a Five Star Wealth Manager.

He has always had a passion for the arts and is proud to be a new member of the Algonquin family. Larry has been married to his wife, Pat, since 1976. They have two sons and two grandchildren. Durso is active in several charitable organizations, including St. John's University (past President of the SJU Staten Island Alumni Association) and the Daughters of Saint Paul. He is currently Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Fund and an active Supporter of the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide.

CARRIE McGOWAN
McGowan first became involved with Algonquin Arts Theatre when her youngest daughter began taking part in Performing Arts Academy classes offered here. Through the years her daughter performed in many Algonquin Youth Ensemble and main stage productions, which led to her starting as a "front of house" volunteer. Through the years Carrie has enjoyed watching and volunteering at many of the shows and events at the Algonquin.

Carrie has been a resident of Brick for 18 years where she and her husband raised their two daughters. She works for a consulting firm as an environmental scientist remediating legacy chemical facility sites mainly in New Jersey.

TRISHA D. SCUDDER
Scudder is a pioneer in the field of executive coaching and has been called one of the country's "leading executive coaches -- the CEO's secret weapon." Over 30 years ago she began studying organizational transformation and leadership, leading her to found Executive Coaching Group, Inc., in New York in 1987. The boutique firm works with senior executives and teams around the world including JP Morgan Chase, Citi, Dell, FCB, Goldman Sachs, Google, Group M, Merck, PayPal and others.

Scudder's first career was in advertising as a copywriter and creative director on national brands including Revlon. Later she created the marketing strategy, fashion look and brand name that launched Swatch watches.

A member Met's Opera Guild and ABT's Dancers' Circle when she lived in New York, she was looking for a cultural home at the Shore after marrying Sea Girt attorney G. Kevin Callahan in 2016. Fortunately, she attended the Algonquin Arts Theatre's impressive co-production of Madama Butterfly in 2017 and has been an avid booster of the Algonquin ever since.

ANN SLAVICK
Although Ann Slavick's business card includes the title of Vice President of Retirement Accounts Administrator and Marketing Compliance, her responsibilities go far beyond that. She also serves on the Bank's Compliance Committee, oversees Deposit Compliance and works with the branch network to review and assist with complicated/unusual transactions and legal issues.

With more than four decades of experience at Mansquan Bank, she has also played a major part in the bank's long-term commitment to provide meaningful financial instruments to the communities it serves.

Slavick also heads up the Bank's volunteer efforts at Fulfill, formerly The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. She organizes monthly groups to go to the Fulfill and work in the sort room. The branches also collect donations year round to benefit the Fulfill. She is also deeply involved with New Jersey Bankers Association, serving on committees for Compliance, Marketing, and Women in Banking.