April 24, 2026 |News, Non-profits

Essex Heritage Announces New Commissioners and Trustees

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From the Essex National Heritage Commission: Regional leaders elected to serve on the Commission and New Trustees announced at Annual Spring Meeting on April 16 in Topsfield.

The Essex National Heritage Commission (Essex Heritage), a non-profit that manages and provides numerous programs preserving and enhancing Essex County’s historic, natural and cultural places, welcomed business and community leaders from around Essex County to its Annual Spring Meeting on Thursday, April 16 at Topsfield Town Hall. Welcome remarks were given by Topsfield Town Administrator Kevin Harutunian, Dr. Bonni Berkowitz from Senator Bruce Tarr’s office, State Representative Joan Lovely, State Representative Sally Kerans, Katie Morfill from Senator Edward Markey’s office, and Alex Uhl from Congressman Seth Moulton’s office. An update on the Border to Boston Rail Trail was given by Essex Heritage Past President, David Read. Updates on Essex Heritage’s 25^th Anniversary of Trails & Sails, Teaching Hidden Histories, Park for Every Classroom, and Rev250 programs were offered by Cheri Grishin, Essex Heritage Director of Operations. New Partnership Grant recipients were announced by Charles Smith, Essex Heritage Manager of Future Resources.

New Commissioners Elected

Essex Heritage is governed by a 17-member Board of Trustees and supported by over 100 Commissioners who live and/or work within Essex County. These Essex Heritage Commissioners serve as representatives of community organizations, educational institutions, and historic, cultural, and natural resources of the region. “Our local Commissioners represent a variety of institutions across the Heritage Area and serve an important role as ambassadors and advocates for this region,” said CEO, Annie C. Harris. “Essex Heritage is grateful for the support of these new Commissioners as partners in promoting the unique assets of Essex County.” 

The following individuals were elected to serve the Essex National Heritage Commission:

New Commissioners, 2026-2029

• Dr. Kabria Baumgartner: Professor of History and Africana Studies at Northeastern University
• Matthew Eriksen: Creative Director of Good Brand Partners
• Dan Gagnon: Historian and Peabody High School teacher 
• Emma Hughen: Education Program Manager at Ipswich River Watershed Association
• Richard (Dick) Lindeman: President of Historic Salem, Inc.
• Jeff Swartz: Executive Director of the Salem Chamber of Commerce

New Trustees

• David Haley: Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending at Salem Five Bank
• Dr. Kurt Steinberg: Chief Operating Officer and Director of Collection Services at the Peabody Essex Museum

About Essex Heritage and the Essex National Heritage Area

Essex Heritage is the non-profit management entity for Essex National Heritage Area, one of sixty-two heritage partnership parks of the National Park Service. Essex Heritage promotes public/private partnerships and develops and implements programs that enhance, preserve, and encourage regional awareness of the unique historic, cultural, and natural resources found within the Area. For more information, visit www.essexheritage.org or call (978) 740-0444.