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.
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.
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.
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.
Sandra A. White, Secretary
Monroe, MI
Volunteer Lighthouse Keeper and Volunteer in Parks (VIP) with the National Park Service. Retired Senior Executive Assistant to the President & CEO and Board Liaison for AAA Life Insurance Company. Her passion is to contribute, support, and make a difference. Check out her Diary of a Lighthouse Keeper!
John McKinney, President Emeritis
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.
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.
Jim Greenwell
Osceola, IN
Jim first became involved in 2019 and hasn’t missed a single season since. He’s an avid outdoors person and carpenter who is passionate about using his skills to improve the station. Retired from the grocery industry, he brings a wealth of project management skills to the team.
Thomas McBride
Livonia, MI
Tom became involved in FILA in 2022 and has been engaged in a wide variety of projects including lantern room restoration, water and solar systems. He is an automotive engineer and small business owner. In this latter capacity, he and his wife run The Shoal Shoppe which distributes “Michigan 129” branded lighthouse items and provides online distribution for South Fox merchandise.