The Noble Maritime Collection announces the appointment of Heather Butts and Joseph Torres to its Board of Trustees
The Noble Maritime Collection has announced the appointment of two community leaders to the museum’s Board of Trustees—Heather Butts and Joseph Torres.
Both new trustees will serve a three-year term where they will support the museum’s mission to celebrate the working waterfront of New York Harbor in the tradition of John A. Noble (1913-1983) and to preserve the history of Sailors’ Snug Harbor.
“Professor Butts and Mr. Torres will bring new energy and ideas to the Noble Maritime Collection as our leadership continuously seeks to create enriching programming for the public in a welcoming space,” said the museum’s Chairman Steve Kalil, President of Caddell Dry Dock and Repair Company on Staten Island’s North Shore.
Heather Butts
Heather Butts is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. She is also the Faculty Course Lead for the Leadership Course at the Mailman School of Public Health. In addition, she holds appointments as an Adjunct Professor in Health Law and Bioethics at St. John’s School of Law and Long Island University Post.
Professor Butts is the co-founder and Executive Director of H.E.A.L.T.H for Youths, Inc. a nonprofit organization which focuses on college readiness and preparation. Her organization partners with 90 programs each year to help more than 7,000 students achieve their dream of going to college.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, her organization worked on dozens of projects to help the community including turning little free libraries into food pantries; getting resources to under privileged families; organizing several community gardening programs to get fresh produce to those in need.
“I have admired the work of The Noble Maritime Collection for years. I am proud and honored to be a new member of the Board of Trustees and look forward to contributing to the significant work of the museum,” said Professor Butts.
“Heather Butts is a tireless advocate for our community, and the Noble Maritime Collection’s trustees and I are so happy and grateful to have her energy on our team,” said Ciro Galeno, Jr., Executive Director of the museum.
He continued, “Our relationship with Heather began when she visited the museum and felt a connection to our hands-on work in service to the public, particularly through our education programs. We look forward to deepening that work through the community connections she will foster within Staten Island and throughout the city.”
Joseph Torres
Joseph Torres manages his wealth management practice at Merrill Lynch and serves as Vice Chairman of both the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation and the Richmond University Medical Center Foundation. He currently holds board leadership roles with Project Hospitality, The Richmond County Country Club, Staten Island Community Board 2, The Staten Island Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and The South Shore Rotary Club.
Additionally, Mr. Torres held directorships with Notre Dame Academy and The Giving Hope Network. From 2015 to 2019, he served as Chairman of Richmond University Medical Center’s successful capital campaign to develop the new, state-of-the-art Emergency Department.
Mr. Torres commented, “I am most excited by the Noble Maritime Collection’s ongoing commitment to promoting cultural and educational equity through their maritime educational outreach initiative. Introducing students within underserved communities to lucrative careers within maritime and related industries has a transformative and lasting impact where it matters most. As a longstanding supporter of this local cultural treasure, it is an honor to be invited to serve among Noble’s impassioned staff, trustees and benefactors.”
“Joe has been a supporter of the Noble Maritime Collection for several years, and has always been generous with his financial advice and development recommendations, both of which have helped the museum maintain its modest, but always balanced budget, with which we put to the best possible use for the public good,” Mr. Galeno said.
Mr. Galeno added, “Joe will strengthen our team with his knowledge of fundraising and board management, as well as his dedication to fiscal responsibility and the creation of connections between businesses and non-profit organizations.”
The Noble Maritime Collection, located in a former sailors’ dormitory at Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Building D, Staten Island, is open year round, Thursday through Sunday from 12 until 5 PM. Admission is always by donation.