Bruce A. Bierhans, Esq., President

Attorney Bruce Bierhans of BRUCE A. BIERHANS, LLC specializies in trial law with concentrations in the areas of complex tort/personal injury, business law, probate and business litigation. A former Director of Research for the Massachusetts Senate Committee on Urban Affairs, Bruce also serves on the Board of Directors for Wellfleet Preservation Hall and the Payomet Performing Arts Center.

Pamela French, Second Vice President

Pamela French, MD, MPH, DTMH, is a specialist in Infectious Diseases and an antibiotic development consultant. A graduate of the Medical College of Pennsylvania, she is a member of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, the American Society for Microbiology, the American Public Health Association, and the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

Fred Gaechter, Clerk

A veteran of the United States Airforce, Fred worked for over 40 years in telecommunications.  In 2001, he retired as Executive Director of Telecordia, a renowned telecommunications firm with over 7,000 employees worldwide. Fred served as a Truro Selectman for six years (2004-2010), the first four of which were as the Board’s Chairman.  He lives with his wife Judy in Truro.

Robert Coval, CPA, Treasurer

Robert Coval has worked for over 30 years as principal of a certified public accounting firm with offices in Easton and South Yarmouth, MA.  Licensed by the MA Board of Public Accountancy, Robert's practice concentrations include preparation of individual and corporate income tax returns and the preparation of not-for-profit organizations with concentrations in Massachusetts.

Byllye Avery, M.Ed.

Byllye Avery is founding President of the Black Women’s Health Imperative. Avery’s renowned health advocacy work has been recognized with countless honors and awards, notably the 2008 Ruth Bader Ginsburg Award for a Pioneer in Women’s Rights and a MacArthur Foundation Genius Award.  Avery is a former faculty member at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, and she resides in Provincetown.

Ansel Chaplin, Esq.

Attorney Ansel Chaplin of Chaplin & Chaplin is a graduate of Harvard Law School.  President and co-founder of The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts, he was the initial recipient of the annual Ansel B. Chaplin award for distinguished service in the preservation of Cape Cod Open Space.  Mr. Chaplin is a United States Army veteran. He was a nine-year member of the Truro Planning Board, and lives in Truro.

Ron Fichtner, Ph.D.

Ronald Fichtner was most recently Senior Director of Business Development for RTI International, and his career includes a 23-year tenure at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, where he worked as Director of Prevention Informatics at the National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention.  A recipient of the US Department of Health and Human Services Special Achievement Award, Fichtner lives in Truro.

Janice Gray, C.F.P.

Janice Gray worked for over 20 years in radio as a classical music announcer, producer and editor.  As a radio station administrator, she hosted and wrote scripts for national Boston Pops and Boston Symphony radio broadcasts. In 1997, she applied her skills to the world of finance, earning her CFP (Certified Financial Planner) designation. She worked as a franchisee of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., helping people plan for and achieve their financial goals. She lives in Wellfleet.

Jayne Carvelli Sheehan, MSN, RNP

Jayne Carvelli Sheehan, MSN, RNC is senior vice president for ambulatory and emergency services at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. An expert on the development and growth of ambulatory services, Jayne speaks nationally on Ambulatory Care and Physician Practice operations, as well as space design & utilization and productivity & service.

Mary Grace Smith

Mary Grace Smith is a technology and communications specialist whose career highlights include serving as Associate Director of the Office for Information Technology at Harvard University. Smith served as Principal of Northeast Consulting Resources, Inc., which offered planning, management, and communications consulting to businesses and non-profit organizations.  She serves on the board of Wellfleet Preservation Hall, and she lives in Wellfleet.

David Willard

Vice President and Community Relations Director of Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank for over 40 years, David has put his skills in business, leadership, and relationship building to good use for the benefit of countless people from the canal to Provincetown.  He has advocated for local affordable housing, health care, child abuse victims, visual and performing arts, and economic issues.