Fox Island Lighthouse Association
photo: Dusty Klifman/Blueyes Below June 2020 (used with permission)
The Fox Island Lighthouse Association (FILA) was formed in 2004 as a non-profit, 501c(3) with the intent to stabilize, restore and preserve the structures on the island and to promote scientific, educational, and charitable purposes.
Our mission also includes broader activities related to historic preservation, cultural promotion and preservation, environmental education, natural resources conservation, and scientific research in and around the Great Lakes.
The Fox Island Lighthouse Association seeks active participation in all these efforts from people of all ages, backgrounds, and lifestyles.
We are dedicated to preserve and protect the historic South Fox Island Light Station and its natural environment by encouraging community involvement.
John McKinney, Past President
Traverse City, MI
Former Sea Grant Agent with the Michigan State University, co-founder of the Grand Traverse Bay Watershed Initiative (now Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay) and the Maritime Heritage Alliance; expert in just about anything concerning Great Lakes ecology.
Catherine F. Allchin, Vice President
Suttons Bay, MI
Active with South Fox Light Station since 2000. Yacht broker, member of Maritime Heritage Alliance, Traverse Area Community Sailing (board member for 6 yrs), Recipient of Robert Allor award 2002, Working Mother of the Year 2000. UWGB BA in marketing and graphic design.
Linda Boyer Posler, President
Long Lake Township, MI
PhD in instructional design, wordsmith, and sailing fanatic. Secretary of FILA Board since 2020; active in historic preservation as Program Chair, Maritime Heritage Alliance (Traverse City, MI) and former board member, Nahant Historical Society (Nahant, MA). Lifetime sailor, currently challenging the Great Lakes.
Kathy Sanders -Treasurer
Long Lake Township, MI
MS in Environmental Education and Library Media and Technology. 22 years in the education field, actively involved in many local, state, and national education and social service organizations, serving as a board member for several; enjoys travel, sailing, gardening, boating and exploring the histories of people and places.
Shawn Denton
Maple City, MI
Technology, marketing, and travel industry professional. M.S. in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Resources. Studied Great Lakes shoreline erosion for Michigan DNR, helped establish Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Grand Traverse Bay Underwater Preserve. Board member Sleeping Bear Gateways Council. Lifelong builder.
John Nelson
Northport, MI
US Naval Academy graduate, Master of Science in Education (U of M), chairman of the Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council and the Coalition for Sensible Growth, Baykeeper for the Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay (retired 2016).
Jim Greenwell
Osceola, IN
Outdoorsperson and carpenter who is passionate about using his skills to make things better.
Phil von Voigtlander
Northport, MI
PhD, retired pharmaceutical research director, avid sailor of the Great Lakes. Former chair, now vice chair of the Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay. Designer and skipper of the Baykeeper tug boat.
Peter Koeppen, Secretary
Traverse City, MI
Retired postal worker, Pete brings a background of managing maintenance activities to his work on the island. He also volunteers with Maritime Heritage Alliance (MHA).