About the Friends of Stonington Crew
The Friends of Stonington Crew (FOSC) and President
Tony Gharios welcome you!
Mission Statement
“The FOSC is dedicated to serving the Boys and Girls Crew Teams of the Stonington High School and their coaches. Our mission is to meet equipment, transportation, food, and apparel, financial and administrative needs. We set policies, standards, and develop long and short term goals to ensure the team's success. FOSC fosters and depends on parental involvement.”
Position Statement
The Friends of Stonington Crew stands apart from other organizations through its attention to the provision of edicts, ethic, and unique details while creating an engaging and unique experience that is technologically enabled, enhance the quality of life for our rowers, and deliver an exceptional value proposition by attending to our team and coaches needs.
Dear Friends,
The Stonington Crew is an approved varsity sport under the auspices of the Stonington High School in Stonington, CT. Our location and proximity to Mystic CT and the Mystic River provides us a great venue to compete among many other crew teams in CT.
Our special thanks to all of our coaches for their tireless efforts in shaping our boys and girls team to be a competitive program. In 2009, Stonington Crew Team placed third in CT and tenth in New England. It has gained popularity that is beyond our dreams.
Every rower recognizes that the team as a whole represents their Town, their High School, and their self dignity while in the Town of Stonington and away at regattas. The team consistently works hard to maintain the positive image they worked hard on establishing while in town, in CT, and in New England while fostering respect, sportsmanship, and great conduct among each other and with their coaches.
I invite you to join us and applaud the hard work that these kids demonstrate.
Best Regards,
Tony Gharios
President
About FOSC
Friends of Stonington Crew (FOSC) a registered 501 (c) (3) is a self funded non-profit organization that strives to promote diversity, team work, and awareness within the crew sport. The team is growing, currently consisting of 70 students, equal in number of boys and girls that compete with public and private schools across Connecticut and throughout New England. FOSC provides the opportunity for other kids in the community to participate in the sport during the summer by using all of the boats ($30,000 each) and other equipment.
The Stonington High School rowing program began just 12 years ago. Each year the program has grown stronger and bigger. We, the Friends of Stonington Crew, are proud witnesses of the strong camaraderie and a consistent strengthening of the team with each passing season. The lessons of personal achievement, dedication, persistence, and good sportsmanship are enjoyed by each and every high school rower.
If you find yourself with a few spare moments during the regattas or other events, we invite you to introduce yourself to any one of these remarkable young people. You will undoubtedly be as impressed as we continue to be. There is satisfaction and pride in the fact that these students are “our” sons and daughters. This team is a reflection of our community – now and in the future.
A day spent amongst friends is a day well spent.
Board of Directors
As representatives of the membership of the organization, the Board of Directors is the primary force pressing the organization to the realization of its opportunities for service and the fulfillment of its obligations to the membership, to the organization as a single entity, and to the library and information services profession.
Tony Gharios – President
Mr. Gharios has 20 + years of technical and management experience in the Government and private sector. He attended Northeastern University and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. Mr. Gharios held positions ranging from engineer to Director of Corporate Business Development and President of Gharios & Associates, LLC. In these capacities, his duties included: Engineering, project and program management, business development, strategic planning, customer relations, and government relations.
Mr. Gharios has been a member of FOSC since 2008 and participates in the Westerly Relay for Life and a member of Stonington Free Library Maintenance Committee.
Mike Banker – Vice President
Mr. Banker has 20+ years of experience as a research scientist in the pharmaceutical industry. He is a co-owner of HTDialysis LLC, which manufactures and markets scientific equipment for biomedical research. He has earned a Masters degree in Molecular Biology from Marquette University and an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Mike is currently enrolled in a teacher certification program for high school Biology and Chemistry.
Toni Schlais - Treasurer
Mrs. Schlais has 20+ years of small business bookkeeping experience. She is
employed with the State of Connecticut Department of Developmental Services
and Avalon Health Center and currently attending school to further her
experience in the health care sector. Mrs. Schlais grew up in Massachusetts
and relocated to Pawcatuck, her husband's hometown and is a mother of two
children.
Mrs. Schlais has been a member of FOSC since 2008.
Rhandi Lee - Secretary
Rhandi is a alumnus of The Williams School and Principia College with a BS in Chemistry. She is the managing partner of the Murphy Apartments LLC. Rhandi and her husband, David, have been involved with the crew team since 2005, when their daughter, Erin, started on the team. Erin is now a varsity 8 lightweight rower for the Stetson University Rowing Team, and Rhandi's son, Ryan, is a sohomore on the SHS crew team.
Committees
Board Development – Margaret Victoria, 860-535-0100, vic06378@comcast.net
Communications – Greg Wostrel, 401-286-9228, gregory@wostrel.com
Publicity – Maggie Santos, 860-599-5142, tim.santos@sbcglobal.net
Apparel – Muggie MacDonald, 860-599-5248, davemuggie@hotmail.com
Advisor – Ken Godfrey, Kenneth_e_godfrey@sbcglobal.net
Monthly Meetings
The Friends of Stonington Crew monthly boosters meeting will now be the 1st Tuesday of the month. We hope this is more convenient for people. Meetings during the summer months are held at the Human Services Building.