About CFES

Board of Directors Staff Directory Contact Us

Snap Shots:

What Others Say:

Tank you for choosing me as one of the students to receive the Elizabeth Brittingham Pusey Scholarship! I am very honored to receive such a prestigious award and grateful for the much needed financial aid toward my hefty college tuition. Please continue to assist the up-and-coming youth of the Eastern Shore in this way. Know that it is greatly appreciated!

-- James M. Bennett High School Receipient

» See all our testimonials

CFES Staff Directory

CFES.org > About CFES > CFES Staff Directory

Spicer Bell
President

bell@cfes.org

Spicer has served as the President of the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore since August 2004. Under his leadership the Foundation has grown in assets by over $28M, increased annual grants to over $4.1 million, established the Eastern Shore Nonprofit Support Center, and recently established the ShoreCAN regional volunteer center.

Prior to joining the Community Foundation, Spicer’s public service career spanned 33 years as a professional educator, including 15 years as a superintendent of schools in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Maryland. He was a founding member of the Wapakoneta Area Community Foundation in Ohio. He also served as the Executive Director for Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore, a school business partnership program. Throughout his career he has been actively involved in his community – providing organizational leadership on the boards of numerous non-profit organizations, business and professional associations.

In addition to his professional interests, Spicer is a certified yoga teacher and enjoys reading, bicycling, sailing, and travel. He and his wife Karen reside in Salisbury where they enjoy time with their five children and four grandchildren.

Gary R. Martin
Chief Financial Officer

martin@cfes.org

Gary has served as Chief Financial Officer of the Foundation where he is responsible for financial, investment, budgeting, and human resources management since July 2001.

Prior to joining the Community Foundation he served as Director of Finance for First State Community Action Agency, a state wide agency headquartered in Georgetown, DE. He has over forty years of experience in the accounting field, of which half has been spent in the non-profit sector. He also volunteers with Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County helping construct and rehabilitate homes.

Gary and his wife Nancy live in Salisbury, MD, and have four grown children and six grandchildren. They enjoy traveling the country in their motor home.

Erica N. Joseph
Program Officer

joseph@cfes.org

Erica joined the Community Foundation in August 2003. In her role as Program Officer, she facilitates all discretionary grant programs, manages the Nonprofit Support Program, and supervises the ShoreCAN Volunteer Center; serving as a liaison to connect local nonprofits to financial support, technical assistance resources, and education/networking opportunities.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Erica worked with a number of nonprofit and governmental agencies with primary responsibilities in program development and coordination, evaluation, and public relations. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Salisbury University and a Master of Science in Conservation Biology from the University of Maryland College Park.

Erica resides in Laurel, DE, with her husband, Jeremy, and son, Drew.

Elizabeth "B.J." Summers
Donor Relations Officer

summers@cfes.org

BJ joined the Community Foundation in October 1997. In her role as Donor Relations Officer, she coordinates the donor relations program of the Foundation, including grantmaking for donor advised funds, donor communications, and donor events. She also coordinates the scholarship program of the Foundation and special events such as the Annual Meeting.

David A. Plotts
Accountant/MIS

dplotts@cfes.org

David has served as the Accountant and IT Director since 2008. He is responsible for providing staff support for the accounting functions of the Foundation, helping assure that all national standards for accountability and accuracy are met, and conducting analysis for internal and external users. He oversees all aspects of the community foundation's information systems and technology.

David received his Bachelors of Science degree in Information Systems Management in 2006 from Salisbury University’s Perdue School of Business. He is currently working towards his Masters of Science in Accounting and Financial Management & Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Financial Management.

David is a native of Salisbury, MD. He and his wife, Ashlee, and one son Liam live in Salisbury.

Patt Strausburg
Office Administrator

strausburg@cfes.org

Patt has served as Office Administrator since August 2003. She is responsible for providing administrative and financial support for the daily operations of the Foundation, including assistance with special events and projects.

Patt and her husband, Wayne, have lived in Salisbury the past 11 years. Previously from Bel Air, Maryland, they have two sons, Ryan and Todd and two granddaughters, Hayden and Ellis.

Heather Towers
ShoreCAN Volunteer Center Coordinator

shorecan@cfes.org

While working in her position as Volunteer Center Coordinator, Heather is a performing national service with the Americorps Vista program which builds capacity in non-profit organizations and communities and fights to end poverty. Heather has prior work experience in health, safety, environmental and quality management in the plastics and textiles industry but as of the recent economic recession she decided to pursue a new career path.

Heather has worked or volunteered with many non-profits during the last decade. She is a student at Salisbury University and plans to receive her International Studies degree in 2011. She is driven to help others and is excited about her new career path in humanitarian aid and human services.

Heather is a native of Salisbury who loves to travel and has visited several countries. She is also a JEEP enthusiast and an avid gamer. She currently volunteers at the Habitat for Humanity in Wicomico County.