PLRA Club Leaders
Board of Directors
PLRA's main governing body is the five
person Board of Directors who have staggered three-year terms.
The Board is responsible for the determination and implementation
of all policy matters pertinent to the organization including, but not
limited to, the following:
(a) handling all budgetary, financial, and insurance matters, including
funding the organization, and collecting and disbursing funds;
(b) establishing appropriate rules and regulations for the safe and
efficient operation of the organization, including user policies, safety
regulations, and the like;
(c) establishing fees for educational programs and clinics; and
(d) designating coaches for the organization's programs.
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Barak Kraus Barak is the President of PLRA and also one of the five Directors. He is the founding member of PLRA. He learned to row in 2004 with Western Reserve Rowing Association in Cleveland, OH and received his US Rowing Level 2 Coaching Certification in 2008. He has also successfully passed the Ohio Boating Education Certification. Barak lives in the Portage Lakes area and in addition to sweep rowing he loves to scull in his single. Barak's term expires in December 2010. |
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Pete Racco Pete is a founding member of PLRA, joining the club when it first got started in 2005. He has a USRowing Level 1 Coaching Certificate. Pete's term expires in December 2009. |
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Paul Guy Paul is one of five Directors of PLRA. He learned to row while going to High School in the Philadelphia, PA area. He rowed while at college, taking both the bow position with the heavy weight crew and the stroke position in the lightweight crew. He retired from rowing in 1980, but recently started rowing again with PLRA in the spring of 2007. Paul's term expires in December 2010. |
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Karen "K.C." Koslowski-Cahoon K.C. is one of five Directors of PLRA. She learned to row with PLRA in the spring of 2008 and has been very active with the club in the short time that she has been a member. K.C.'s term expires in December 2011. |
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Michael Boyle Michael is one of five Directors of PLRA. He learned to row as a freshman at Georgetown University where he rowed in the lightweight crew in 1996. After moving to Akron in 2006, he discovered PLRA and re-discovered his love for the sport. In 2007 he purchased a single scull and started racing in 2008, competing in four head races. His wife Katy also rowed at Georgetown and they now live on the Portage Lakes where you can find him on the water most every day the weather allows. Michael is the creator and photographer for the Portage Lakes Calendar. Michael's term expires in December 2011. |
Officers
PLRA has four corporate officers who are elected to one-year terms at each Annual Meeting. They are responsible for conducting the daily business and affairs of the club.
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President - Annie Flaherty Annie's background is participating in triathlons (from Sprints to a ½ Ironman), but in 2008 she decided to try rowing and has been hooked ever since . She continues to participate in the club through many of the activities they offer. Her term runs through 2010. |
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Vice-President - Barak Kraus Barak served as president until the end of 2009. He is now serving a vice-president to assist PLRA's new leaders transition into their roles. |
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Treasurer - Brian Roberts Brian was elected PLRA’s treasurer for 2010. He began rowing during his freshman year at Drexel University in Philadelphia as the stroke for the men’s lightweight eight. After 20+ years away from the sport, Brian attended the learn-to-row program in August 2009 which reignited his passion for rowing. He and his family live nearby the lakes in Green. |
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Secretary - Denise Lincoln Denise attended the Learn to Row Class in the Spring of 2009 and enjoyed learning to row and being on the water so much that she immediately joined the group. She is treasurer of the club for the 2010 term. |
2009 Coaches
Randy Trefethern is PLRA's coach during the week, his experience and qualifications include:
- 4 years of varsity rowing experience in
college at Ohio State University
- 19 years of coaching experience of high school, collegiate and masters
rowers
- 5 years of varsity coaching experience at Ohio State University
- 4 years of head coaching experience in Columbus and Seattle
Aaron Marcovy in PLRA's coach on weekends, his experience and qualifications include:
- 4 years of varsity rowing experience in college at Columbia University
- Two time captain and ‘Most Valuable Oarsman’ at Columbia
- Silver medal in the Men’s Four at the IRA National Championships
- Rowed for Oxford in winning boat in 2008 Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race
- 4 years of coaching experience at St. Edmond Hall, Oxford University
and WRRA
- 2 years of head coaching experience a WRRA and Baldwin Wallace College
In addition, four club members hold coaching certification from our governing body USRowing. They assist Randy in Aaron in providing instruction to both new and experienced rowers.
USRowing Level 2 Certified Coaches: Barak Kraus
USRowing Level 1 Certified Coaches: Paul Guy, Pete Racco and Ric Walter