Head Of The Charles Regatta 2016 HOCR Program | Page 31

the novice single. The following year, he
became its first treasurer.
“In those days if you wanted to
join CBC you were shanghaied into
volunteering with the head. If you had
a skill that the regatta needed, you
were a shoe-in for membership at CBC.
Ed was a CPA and the regatta need
a treasurer—It was a perfect fit!” said
Steve Carr, a longtime friend of Smith’s
and former HOCR trustee.
Little did this young graduate know
that this first role as treasurer would
guide him through his volunteer career
at HOCR. Smith has done it all from
designing the tee shirts (even though
according to Carr, “He is not and never
will be a graphic designer!”), selling the
programs and posters, hauling huge
garbage bags of cash to the bank the
morning after the regatta, and serving
in many managerial roles. When the
Regatta faced financial burdens requiring them to sink-or-swim, so to speak,
he led the directors in instrumental
decisions to have licensed merchandise,
recruit sponsorship, and most notably to
bring on a full-time staff.
“Ed loves a challenge, and he loves

growing an organization,” said Carr. “I
think initially it was a challenge to get
the regatta accounting in order, and
then to make the regatta break even.
Later it became a challenge to manage

(MDC, now known as the Department
of Conservation and Recreation – or
DCR) bills grew exponentially to cover
the costs of clean up and security, and
without any sponsorship, the Regatta

He cared for the Regatta for so
many years not just because he
could crunch the numbers, but
because he loves racing, rowing,
and simply being on the water.
costs, insure long term viability, deal
with government agencies, and find
the right person to oversee the future
growth of the regatta.”
While they had faced some roadblocks in the past, Smith and his fellow
Trustees were suddenly faced with a
mountain of a challenge as the regatta
grew wildly with competitors and
spectators in the late 1980’s. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation

relied on entry fees and state funding to
cover the skyrocketing costs. The MDC
recommended that the Regatta find
sponsorship – something they had been
resisting for many years – or move the
event to summer or winter, when athletes and spectators would be minimal.
It became evident that state funding would not continue and entry fees
would no longer cover costs; the Regatta had to explore new forms of financing

6 1 7. 5 7 6 . 1 1 1 1

PIZZA (FOR HUMANS)
At Cambridge, 1. we craft authentic
thin crust, charcoal-grilled pizzas along
with soups, salads and pasta for those
seeking a comfortable place to eat,
drink and relax in the heart of
Harvard Square.

2 7 C H U R C H S T R E E T, H A R VA R D S Q U A R E

MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION

W W W. C A M B R I D G E 1 . U S

FIFTY-SECOND HEAD OF THE CHARLES REGATTA

31