New England Science & Sailing Names Mark Adams New Chairman of the Board of Directors

STONINGTON, CT – New England Science & Sailing (NESS), a nationally recognized and award-winning nonprofit ocean adventure education organization, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Adams as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors. Adams succeeds Spike Lobdell, NESS Founder and CEO, who will now serve as President and CEO of the organization. 

Mark Adams joined the NESS Board in 2018, bringing decades of experience in business leadership, operations, and strategic growth. Adams began his career at Johnson & Johnson, where he spent 12 years advancing through roles in accounting, operations, product management, and international marketing. In 1993, he partnered with Warburg Pincus, a leading venture capital firm, to acquire a small medical device company, serving as its President and CEO. Over the next two decades, Adams collaborated with renowned firms such as Bain Capital and First Chicago, leading and growing multiple companies as CEO. 

“Mark has been an integral part of the NESS Board, and his extensive leadership experience makes him an outstanding choice as our new Chairman,” said Spike Lobdell, NESS Founder and CEO. “As NESS continues to empower students through innovative ocean-based education, Mark’s vision and expertise will guide us toward even greater impact in the community.” 

NESS is dedicated to providing inclusive, experiential learning programs that inspire a love of the ocean and foster critical life skills. Under the leadership of Adams and Lobdell, NESS remains committed to its mission of transforming lives through ocean adventure education. 

“I am truly honored to take on the role of Board Chairman at NESS,” said Mark Adams. “We have an exceptional team of board members with diverse talents and expertise. Leading this group to help NESS expand its impact and reach new milestones is both a privilege and an exciting opportunity.” 

For more information about NESS, please visit NESSF.org. 

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ABOUT NEW ENGLAND SCIENCE & SAILING  
New England Science & Sailing is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that uses sailing, marine science, powerboating, and ocean adventure sports as experiential learning platforms to increase Pre-K-12 academic outcomes. NESS educators teach in classrooms and on the water, using over 100 proprietary lesson plans tied to school standards, including the Next Generation Science Standards, Ocean Literacy Principles, and Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning standards. NESS is the only school partner program accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. To learn more about NESS, visit NESSF.org.  

Get to Know Mark!

Age:
74

Occupation:
Retired

Residence:
Mystic, Connecticut

Where were you born and raised?
Shrewsbury, New Jersey

What are your top three bucket list items?
1. Achieve a fly-fishing slam (catching a permit, bonefish, and tarpon all in one day)
2. Fly a helicopter
3. See NESS reach the next level!

Who are your heroes?
James Burke, former CEO of Johnson & Johnson, who led with integrity during the Tylenol crisis.

What is your favorite comfort food?
A classic cheeseburger

What is your favorite hobby?
Fishing

What is your favorite vacation destination?
Costa Rica - great fishing, beautiful scenery, and a laid-back atmosphere.

What is your favorite movie of all time?
Any James Bond movie

What traits do you most admire in others?
Honesty, the ability to listen, and having a strong vision.

What is your favorite quote?
“Never mistake activity for accomplishment.”

What is your favorite thing about Stonington and Southeast CT?
Being on the water, it’s where I feel most at home.

What’s a little-known fact about you?
I was a starting quarterback in college and never missed a game or practice in four years.

What motivates you?
Success - not just my own, but helping others achieve it too.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received? And from whom?
“Decision-making is easy when you have enough information—the tough part is knowing when you have enough information to make that decision.”
– James Cormack, Chairman of the Ethicon Division at Johnson & Johnson

What’s a piece of advice you always like to give?
Use your ears, listening is one of the most powerful skills you can develop.

If you won the lottery, what’s the first thing you would do?
Set up a charitable giving foundation to make a lasting impact.

What items are always in your fridge?
Orange juice, pomegranate juice, and frozen blueberries

If you could invite one person (dead or alive) to dinner, who would it be and why?
Warren Buffett - I’d love to pick his brain about setting and achieving successful objectives.

What interests you most about NESS’s mission?
By far, the kids - it’s all about inspiring the next generation.

Which of NESS’s core values do you align with most and why?
Using the ocean as a learning tool - there’s no better classroom than the water.

What philanthropic work have you done outside of NESS?
I’ve been involved in various youth programs, from coaching to fundraising.

Have you served on any of NESS’s Board committees?
Yes, I’ve served on the Safety Committee for three years. Safety is always the top priority!

What is your vision for the future of NESS?
To fully utilize our resources to transform how students approach learning; making it more hands-on, engaging, and impactful.