Our Board of Directors
Tim Newell, Board President
Tim Newell has been involved with HATS since 2009 when he went on his first visit to Haiti after hearing of the devastation from hurricanes in the area. Wanting to do something, his wife challenged him by asking, “What is stopping you?” That challenge led to his first incredible experience in Haiti, followed by another visit in 2010 with his wife Heidi & their three children. They were in Haiti during the earthquake but were thankfully protected throughout that experience. Tim lives in Nova Scotia and currently serves as Board President.
Dickie MacDonald, Treasurer
Dickie Macdonald has been involved with HATS since 2005. When he learned that Hands Across the Sea was paying a parent organization 10% of all donations to look after the finances and issue receipts, he volunteered to take over the task. Dickie is an avid community volunteer in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and an active grandfather to five grandchildren. As Treasurer, Dickie is responsible for the financial aspects of the work of our organization and travels to Haiti each year with his wife Sandra.
Beate Rufft, Secretary
Beate Rufft, was introduced to Hands Across the Sea and our founder, Karen Huxter in 2010, after seeing the devastation of the earthquake and wanting to volunteer in the country. An elementary school teacher in Ontario, Beate has previously worked with homeless children in Colombia and orphans in El Salvador. Beate is currently serving as Board Secretary and travels to Haiti each year. She is proud to support the vital work that HATS does for the children and families in the community of Deschapelles.
Liette Wilson, Sponsorship
Liette Wilson has been involved with Hands Across the Sea since 2000. She lived in Haiti from 1995-1997 and has been involved with international development initiatives since that time. A literacy teacher and mother of four in Calgary, she loves knowing that her work with this organization makes a tangible difference in the lives of children and families in Haiti. Liette is currently responsible for the sponsorship program for which she travels to Haiti each year.
Robert Lewis, Board Member
Robert Lewis has been a board member since 2014. He has served on boards of several non-profit organizations in the past and has extensive entrepreneurial and business experience. Rob, who is originally from Cape Breton, is currently a manager with the City of Calgary. Rob is happy to have the opportunity to serve on the HATS board. He first visited Hands Across the Sea in Haiti in the fall of 2016, where he provided support for the sponsorshop programme among many other tasks.
Bob Comeau, Board Member
Robert “Bob the Builder” Comeau has been involved with Hands Across the Sea since 2006. He has traveled to Haiti 13 times and has worked on most of the HATS capital projects. His construction skills have been invaluable to HATS. Robert and his wife have recently retired after operating a senior’s facility with 17 residents for the past 20 years. Robert, who lives in Nova Scotia, is very happy to be a board member and give of his time and energy to support the work in Haiti.
Don Huxter, Board Member
Don Huxter has been involved with HATS since 2002. He joined the board in 2009. A retired high school teacher, Don was also a soccer coach and referee for 25 years. He lives with his wife Lila in Springdale, NL. Don is an enthusiastic supporter of Hands Across the Sea and has participated in several successful fundraising campaigns for capital projects in Haiti.
David Nance, Board Member USA
David N. Nance has been involved with Hands Across the Sea since 2008. He believes that one of the greatest privileges of his life has been the opportunity to travel to HATS with mission teams from Texas. David lives in Texas with his beautiful wife Allison and their three kids. He teaches Sunday school and serves on his church’s missions committee. David is a member of the U.S. board and was instrumental in securing the U.S. 501c3 charitable status for U.S. donors.
Rick Grobart, Board Member USA
Rick Grobart made has been involved with Hands Across the Sea since 2013. A Chicago based risk-management consultant who travels nearly constantly, Rick has been to the HATS compound twice and hopes to get back later this year. He holds the children at the school and orphanage, as well as Karen Huxter and the HATS staff in high regard. Before starting his company, Rick helped begin the project toward obtaining 501 (c)(3) non-profit status for HATS in the US