President
Chris Bitzas

Energy Engineer with Siemens Industry, Inc. and active volunteer with OE since 2007. Chris is also a competitive soccer player, marathon runner, and avid outdoor enthusiast. His success in his profession is paralleled with his success outside of work.  He has a passion for making positive contributions to the world around him and together with his wife Di, they consistently give to others in our communities while maintaining strong family ties and social connections.

Secretary
Stephen Andrew

Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Managed Health Care Associates, Inc.; Past President and Honorary Director, Arlington Boys & Girls Club, Director and Officer of several charitable organizations. Stephen is a fantastic statesman with a heart of gold. In spite of a intrastate commute, he always makes time for  those causes that are near and dear to his heart. He brings Outdoor Explorations strong leadership and financial acumen that assists in its development within both our business and local communities.

Treasurer
Jay Leary

Accountant with Ernst & Young, LLP, Jay is a passionate golfer and plays club lacrosse. He graduated from Bentley College and passed the CPA test with flying colors. His work takes him all over the country but he makes time for Outdoor Explorations. He is passionate about helping people and very committed to helping make the outdoors and adventure recreation accessible for everyone.

Director
Chris Dufresne

An avid outdoors man and world traveler, Chris brings a wealth of experience and expertise to bear in the areas of outdoor recreation, access, and disability. A lifelong adventurer and wine aficionado, his professional knowledge and personal skill set bring OE a wealth of information that is useful for programs, events and services.

Director
Jan Alicardi

Sales and Marketing Manager for Bates Insurance Agency, Originally from Oklahoma, spends her free time with her husband and three daughters.  She has spent the past 20 years sharing her time between raising her family, showing horses, traveling, leading Girl Scout troops for her 3 daughters and running events for the many non-profits she works with. Janet is currently an active member and ambassador team for the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce and sits on the membership committee of the North shore Technology Council.

Dave grew up in Hingham and began at OE as an intern and proved his service to be invaluable.  He now works full time as the operations coordinator and handles all things operations and financial. He is also very involved with the Boston independent music scene. His efforts are a significant part of OE's recent success. He designed the recent publications as well as most of the current website. In addition to working and music, Dave enjoys swimming in the ocean, skateboarding, snowboarding, producing and collecting record albums, trying out new restaurants and of course, watching Pats games.

BS, Finance, UMass Boston

Originally from Montana, Merri is a lifelong educator and social activist with twenty years of leadership experience at the local, state, regional, and national levels. She also contributes to animal, environmental justice, and human rights organizations.

After leading a large national nonprofit on the west coast and then most recently special services within an urban school system, she joined OE during the tail end of 2008.  Merri worked very hard to keep the organization moving forward through very challenging times from 2009-2010. As OE enters its third decade of service from a healthy financial foundation, she can now return to a more balanced lifestyle that includes painting, home improvement, and playing the piano.

BA, Central Washington University;
MA, University of Puget Sound;
EdD, George Washington University

Emma is a wonderful Boston College student from Ireland completing an International Bachelors degree. She has hospitality, retail and early childhood education experience, all of which help her as she works with our participants, donors and staff. She enjoys sports, painting and traveling. Her first OE experience was at our Adult Winter Cabin Camp last year. She did an outstanding job with everyone and in every activity (including sledding on cookie sheets)! Emma is a skilled negotiator that works hard to develop winning solutions to complex challenges.

Everyone who works with Emma is impressed with her and the work that OE is doing. Thanks Emma!

BA, Geography & Irish Folklore