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Kent LeBoutillier, President and Founding MemberHead of Restoration at the Elbow Reef Lighthouse, Kent is the buildings and grounds volunteer representative for the Elbow Reef Lighthouse Society. She works alongside of local contractors and coordinates the work programs at the station. She oversees subcontractors to restore the lightstation. She is in charge of the Lighthouse Gift Shoppes which supply revenue for the restoration of the lightstation. Nick-named “Super Kent” because of her leadership ability and the know-how to handle any job. No project repair is too big or small. Kent is a wealth of knowledge and exudes a no-nonsense personality. Kent was awarded the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International in 2023 for her volunteer work and project management skills on the restoration of the Elbow Reef Lighthouse. |
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Laura Gallagher, Vice PresidentLaura Gallagher is a Florida native who has been boating to The Bahamas since she was a teenager. Her first visit to the Elbow Reef Lighthouse was at age 15 and it has held a special place in her heart ever since. Never found far from the water, Laura has a degree in Biology from Florida State University and has worked extensively with marine mammals. She and her husband Steve and daughter Morgan have owned property in The Bahamas for more than twenty years. Currently they have a home on Scotland Cay. In 2018, Laura and her family sailed their 44’ Catamaran, Wiwoka, safely across the Atlantic to Europe. Unfortunately, this trip of a lifetime was cut short by Hurricane Dorian. The unbelievable damage in Abaco and their sense of community brought the Gallaghers back to The Bahamas, returning to help fulltime with the rebuilding. They spent many a dark night in 2019 and 2020 when the lume of the lighthouse was the one bright light that helped them focus more positively on the work ahead. Becoming a member of the Elbow Reef Foundation’s board is Laura’s way of giving back. Laura was instrumental in the development of Ed Rocks. She was in the trenches at the conceptual stages in 2008 and facilitated the growth to become the Ed Rocks that we see presently. The family continues to support their mission to this day. A real estate agent in Delray Beach since 1997, Laura spends as much of her free time as possible with her family at their home on Scotland Cay. |
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Heather Forde-Prosa, Secretary and Founding MemberWith a strong background in marketing, communications, and project management, Heather provides much expertise for the foundation and fulfills the role of Development Director for the Elbow Reef Lighthouse Society (one of an all-women team overseeing the Elbow Reef Lighthouse at Hope Town, Elbow Cay). A real estate agent with Bahamas Realty Ltd., Heather is Bahamian born and a dual citizen of The Bahamas and Canada. She lived and worked in the USA before relocating to Hope Town, Elbow Cay. Having co-founded the first-ever coffee roastery in The Bahamas, Heather and her husband, Andrew, established the famous Hope Town Coffee House in 2006. After losing her home and this business to Hurricane Dorian, Heather knows firsthand the impact, trauma, and long-term recovery needs of Elbow Cay's residents and business owners. For this reason, she joined the board of the Abaco Chamber of Commerce. Heather was awarded a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow for community service. In 2016 and again in 2020, the "UP Books" she produced with Hope Town Primary School children were featured in Rotary's Project Read Bahamas Campaign. |
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James W. Tivy, TreasurerJames was born in The Bahamas and lived most of his life between The Bahamas and the U.S.A. with some years spent in the UK while attending boarding school. James works full-time as the CFO for The LGL Group. Having fond memories of Abaco and the Historic Elbow Reef Lighthouse, James volunteers his valuable personal time to help the ERLS receive financial support via incoming donations to the Foundation. |
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Anne Potts, Founding MemberAnnie’s first introduction to the Elbow Reef Lighthouse was from 15 miles offshore Elbow Cay in 1978 towards the end of a 7-8 day sailing passage south from North Carolina. Having had no sign of land for more than a week, it was love at the first sight of its lume. Part of a large sailing family with deep roots in international shipping and marine history Annie has had a constant presence in The Bahamas for more than 40 years. Her book Last Lights- The Hand-Wound Lighthouses of The Bahama Islands (Florida Classics Library, 2011 ) was written to inspire the conservation of what were then the last three lighthouses of their kind in The Bahamas and the world. Following its writing she has lectured and continued to advocate for support of the restoration efforts at the lightstation in Hope Town. Along with her historical research, enumerable custom fastenings, burner parts, the curved weatherglass fabrication and mantles manufactured by The Coleman Company, Wichita, Kansas are all just a small part of what we have Annie to thank for. |
“Your calls for help are needed and well placed.
People genuinely care about this cause, it’s something tangible we can do in the pain and destruction. Be bold, it’s a worthy cause, bless you and the team for the work you are doing. We will send more when we can!"
~Laurence Coppedge