Educators
INSTRUCTORS
Andy
Gugliatta
Beth Lucek
Dave Rockwell
Born in Saranac Lake and later moved to the Finger Lakes. He spent his childhood and adult years fishing the lakes, rivers and streams of the Adirondacks and Finger Lakes. At a young age he realized he had a passion for making his own lures. At 13 he started a spinner making business. Over the last 20 years he expanded his craft to include making spinners, wooden lures, trolling spoons and flies. He enjoys working with other fishermen to share lure designs and fishing techniques. Andy is an elementary school teacher in a local School District.
Craig Gallagher
A retired University administrator, Craig is a self-taught fly tyer and enjoys fly fishing in lakes and streams for trout, bass, panfish, and carp.
Phil Walker
The owner and operator of Cayuga Wooden Boat Works in Cayuga, NY. Phil grew up sailing, fishing and working on Chattauqua Lake. He was the founding partner and broker of Eastern Acquisition, a commercial investment/real estate firm in Ithaca, NY. Upon retiring from that business he worked for several years with the original owner of Cayuga Wooden Boat Works which he took over when the owner passed away. He is a licensed U.S. Coast Guard Captain. A lifelong boater, Phil plans to put his schooner in Cayuga Lake as a day-sailing charter boat. He currently serves on FLBM’s Board of Trustees.
Our museum houses a full shop for restoring and repairing boats right in the main building. This is viewable to visitors of the Museum every day. Many of our hands on courses and workshops are held here.
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As we continue to grow we hope to develop space for a second shop area that will provide room for more long term restoration projects as well as space for several programs to be happening at the same time throughout the year.
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Beth has a BA in Studio Art from SUNY Potsdam and an MS in Art Education from Alfred University. Beth retired to Hammondsport in 2015 after 28 years of teaching in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and Ohio.
A Professor of Outdoor and Environmental Education at Corning Community College, Dave started his 22nd year with the college in 2016. Dave’s educational background is in Outdoor and Environmental Education, Health and Human Performance, and Criminal Justice. Dave teaches courses in Outdoor Education, Wilderness Survival, Environmental Studies, Health, Wellness, and Physical Fitness.
Bill Smith
Retired Professional Engineer with degrees in Environmental and Civil Engineering from Penn State University. Bill enjoys the status of Diplomate of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers. Throughout his life Bill has been active in Scouting, both as a youth and as a leader. Through the Scouts he became involved in competitive canoeing and kayaking. Scouting and sailing provide the knowledge base for the Knot Tying classes he has given at the Museum. Bill is currently serving as Facilities Committee Chair and Secretary to the Board of Trustees of FLBM.
Jen Kuhn
The Program Manager at Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, Jen is responsible for the educational workshops that are held at this most prestigious Maritime Museum. Jenn is one of a handful of women shipwrights and brings a special perspective to her work.
Scott
Johnson
Jack Lucek
Jack has a BS & MS from Alfred University in Ceramic Engineering and an MBA from Northeastern University. Jack retired to Hammonsport in 2015 after 40 years of industrial experience in ceramics, bearings and diamond manufacturing.
Ed
Wightman
The owner and operator of WW Boatworks, a boat restoration shop on Keuka Lake for 20 years, Ed specializes in the restoration of small wooden boats: canoes, rowboats, and outboard motor boats. His experience includes Penn Yan, Old Town, and Thompson canoes as well as Penn Yan rowboats, car toppers, trail boats and sea liners plus a variety of locally built row boats. He has also restored a number of inboard runabouts. Restoration skills include re-ribbing, planking, joinery, canvassing, refinishing and wood bending. Ed has been on the Board of Trustees of the Finger Lakes Boating Museum for 20 years and currently serves as the Board’s President
A BOCES teacher in the Hornell School District, Scott holds a BS and an MS in Educationfrom Keuka College. He is a certified American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor and NYS Boater Safety Instructor. Scott also serves as the Hornell wrestling coach. He is an avid boater and outdoorsman. He currently serves on the FLBM Board of Trustees and as chair of FLBM’s Education Committee.
LECTURERS
Bob
Burroughs
Bob has a B.S. in Science Education and taught Earth Science for many years. After he left teaching he worked for Kodak as a quality technician and the retired from RFCD Harris as the manager of their quality lab. He is an avid student of steamboats and their technology.
Gary
Emmerson
Lives in Odessa, NY. Gary taught American History at Newfield Central School for manyyears before retiring in 2013. He earned his B.A. in History at St. Bonaventure University before getting a M.A. in Education from Elmira College and a M.A. in History from Binghamton University. He is currently working on a PhD in History at Binghamton.
Bob
Burroughs
Emily
Staychock
Bill Smith
Gary
Emmerson
Joe
Luppino
Cornell Cooperative Extension Watershed/Environmental Educator. Emily works with several of the lakes to identify and control the invasive aquatic species that are found in the various Finger Lakes. The programs to manage the spread of these species are her specialty.
Joe is a long time SCUBA Diver here on Keuka Lake. He has years of photos and memorabilia from his time under the water. Joe is known among the local divers as one of the most knowledgeable people about what is under Keuka.
Tommy
Beers
Known to those who know him as “Bobber”. As the nickname implies he has a long history of fishing and guiding on Keuka Lake. He has been a popular presenter here at the Museum
William
Oben
Bill Smith
Josh
Navone
Owner/operator of Schooner Excursions, a sailing excursion and touring company in Watkins Glen. He was born and raised in Elmira, NY. At Buffalo State College he minored in Boat Design. In 1994-95, while working for Scarano Boat Company in Albany, NY, he helped build the schooner, America. Josh is a Law Partner at Keyser, Maloney & Winner, LLP.
Jim
Altemus
While growing up, Jim spent many hours canoeing on lakes in Northern New Jersey. He Holds a B.S. in Agricultural Science and an M.B.A. from Cornell University. After moving to Western New York in 1971 he and his family spent many vacations canoeing the lakes and rivers of the Adirondacks. They joined the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association and he served on the Board of Directors for many years. The local chapter meets monthly and makes frequent trips through the waters of Wester New York. Jim is a member of the volunteer crew restoring the Pat II tour boat at FLBM.
Joe
Meade IV
Vice President of Mercury Corporation. Joe is an avid sailor and ice boater. He is a leading member of KEWASA, the regional iceboating organization. He has built his own ice boat and annually runs a program at FLBM for ice boaters to learn more and update their equipment. Joe currently serves on the FLBM Board of Trustees.
Josh
Navone
Pete
Robbins
Retired Earth Science Teacher and Superintendent of Haverling Central School District. His Master’s Thesis from Mansfield University serves as the basis for his fascinating approach to the geological development of the Finger Lakes.
Bill Oben is a founding trustee and past president of the Finger Lakes Boating Museum, now located in Hammondsport, NY. Long interested in wooden boats built in the Finger Lakes region, he has done extensive research on this subject which he has shared in numerous presentations over the years. His articles on this subject have appeared in Classic Boating and WoodenBoat magazines, as well as local media and Finger Lakes Boating Museum publications. He is the author of the recently published book entitled Finger Lakes Trout Boats.