Charles Nazarian, President

Charles is the founding president of the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation. His deep appreciation for the historic and cultural significance of the 1806 Meetinghouse has been the driving force in his determination to lead its preservation. Maintaining a successful practice in historically informed residential architecture for many years, Charles brings particular expertise to building design, structure, and systems. In addition to his practice in Cape Ann architecture, Charles serves as the visual design consultant for the world renowned C.B. Fisk Company, designers and builders of pipe organs.

Dick Prouty, Treasurer

Dick is a life-long educator. He has held various leadership positions at the Waring School and is the former President of the noted experiential learning program, Project Adventure, in Beverly, Massachusetts. He is a founding member of the board and treasurer of the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation and former board chair of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church. As co-chair of TownGreen2025 for the past five years, Dick has organized numerous educational and community-based programs relating to sustainability and climate change. In addition to his role as treasurer, Dick brings a history of successful leadership in strategic planning, board development, and organizational management to the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation.

Karen Neva Bell, Secretary

Karen N. Bell lives in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Now retired, her professional career included various positions in maternal and child health research, advocacy, and teaching at the university level. Current volunteer commitments in addition to the GMF include board positions on the City of Gloucester Trust Fund the Northeast Hospital Corporation, and the Sawyer Free Library Foundation. Karen received a BA from Harvard University (1970), a Licenciate in Health Education from the University of Chile (1974), and a Master’s of Public Health from Columbia University (1976).

Peter Calkins, Finance Committee Chair

Originally trained as an architect, Peter brings to the board the experience of a long career in real estate development, managing the design and construction of life science, office and retail buildings in mixed-use settings. A lifelong UU, Peter has also served his church communities in various ways, most recently co-chairing both the capital campaign and building committees for a significant renovation/addition at North Parish Church in North Andover. Since moving to Gloucester in 2015, Peter has been exploring opportunities to become more involved in the local community, and looks forward to contributing his energy and skills to assisting with the preservation of the Meetinghouse and the broader objectives of the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation.

Jerry Ackerman, Marketing and Communications Advisor

Jerry brought his experience as a reporter and editor for national and regional newspapers to a position as staff writer and editor at the Boston Globe, a position he held for 30 years. His work has earned him numerous awards and accolades as a writer, editor, and researcher. As city editor he shared in the Globe's receipt of the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service, and later as a staff business writer he helped create the paper's first Technology section. His academic credentials include a Professional Journalism Fellowship at Stanford University. Jerry has turned his attention to mentoring and supporting the next generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs. He is a mentor with the MIT Venture Mentoring Service, which encourages emerging entrepreneurs, and has been a consultant to other startup businesses and non-profits. His experience and expertise are in high demand as a board member. He was a founding principal of First Founders Limited, a founding director of the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation, a member of the board of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, and has served on the board of the Sawyer Free Library in Gloucester. His specializations include communication strategy, editorial and representative services for writers, and grantwriting.

Donna Dunne, Events Committee Chair

Donna Dunne worked in Sales and Marketing for over 20 years, most of which were in the advertising field. Additionally, working over 10 years in the hospitality and events industry drew her to join the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation in 2025. She studied voice and earned a BA from UMass Lowell in 1980, plays flute and piano-the latter of which she taught to children and adults for many years, and currently sings with the UU church choir. As a trained and professional calligrapher, award-winning photographer and a love of history, she hopes to use her marketing skills and love of the arts to contribute to the further success of the church and foundation. In 2003-2004 she was president of ArtSalem and spearheaded her first Art Exhibit in Salem as well as serving on the BOD for The Brookhouse Home in Salem from 2012-2021.

J.J. Bell

J.J. worked for The Druker Company, Ltd for 25 years and served as the executive vice president and partner. This Boston-based real estate development company specializes in urban multi-use offices, residences, hotels, and retail. Since retiring 10 years ago, J.J. has been actively involved in leadership roles with several local organizations including vice chair of the board of the Cape Ann Museum, the City Hall Restoration Commission, and co-chair of the Gloucester Community Preservation Committee. J.J. is a founding director of the board of the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation organized in 2015.

Theo Macgregor

Theo MacGregor has worked as a high school history teacher, social worker, marketing consultant, and Director of the Electric Power Division at the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities. With Jerrold Oppenheim, she formed the consultancy Democracy and Regulation, focusing on energy efficiency and customer affordability. Since retiring, she has continued her public service by becoming a member of the League of Women Voters of Cape Ann, the Gloucester Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) and the Jonathan Bayliss Society, a literary society in Gloucester. Among many other publications, she is co-author, with Jerrold Oppenheim and Greg Palast, of “Democracy and Regulation: How the Public Can Govern Essential Services” published by Pluto Press in London and winner of the ACLU’s Upton Sinclair Freedom of Expression Award in 2004. Theo is a graduate of Wayne State University in Detroit and has an MBA from Simmons Graduate School of Management in Boston.

Rev. Janet Parsons, ex officio

Reverend Janet Parsons was called to the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church in 2015. Prior to entering the ministry she was active in affordable housing planning, local government, and social justice work, including participation in 10 relief trips to Louisiana in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. While serving in Gloucester, Rev. Janet has been helping lead the Cape Ann Slavery and Abolition Trust project, bringing awareness of the presence of enslaved people and the slave economy here on Cape Ann, and also is actively involved with the Associated Clergy of Cape Ann.

David Rhinelander, in memoriam

The Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation joins all those saddened by the passing of David Rhinelander. A member of our Board, David’s devotion to historic preservation was evident in his 18^th century home on Pine Street and his longtime membership (some as chair) of the Gloucester Historical Commission. He brought valued insight to the Foundation’s goal of restoring and preserving the 220-year-old Meetinghouse on Middle Street, an icon on Gloucester’s skyline that has guided mariners home since before the harbor and lighthouses. Along with his other civic activities, including the Schooner Adventure, he has left our community a legacy for all time.