About Us

Our Mission

To connect people to the water through education and recreation.

The WaterFront Center (WFC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Oyster Bay, New York. We provide access to the waters of Oyster Bay Harbor and Long Island Sound through our marine education programs, recreational and instructional sailing programs, paddleboard, kayak and sailboat rentals, and through harbor tours aboard our National Historic Landmark oyster sloop CHRISTEEN. EIN: 11-3539597

Our Story

In the late 1980s, a real estate development proposal threatened the former Jakobson Shipyard on the shoreline of Oyster Bay. Concerned about the impact this development would have on Oyster Bay Harbor, Friends of the Bay, a not-for-profit group, the late State Senator Ralph Marino, former State Senator Carl Marcellino, and other elected officials lead a campaign that brought the community together against that proposal and came up with 6 proposals. Of those 6, Plan D was chosen; Plan D was the development of a Community Environmental and Marine Education Center. The plan was approved in 1998 and then in 2000, The WaterFront Center was established.

The WaterFront Center (WFC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Oyster Bay, New York. We provide access to the waters of Oyster Bay Harbor and Long Island Sound through our marine education programs, recreational and instructional sailing programs, paddleboard, kayak, and sailboat rentals, and through harbor tours aboard our National Historic Landmark oyster sloop CHRISTEEN.


Executive Board

Elisa M. Santoro - President
Ian N. H. Gumprecht - Vice President
Howard Szarfarc - Treasurer
Thomas V. Thornton - Secretary

Executive Director

George J. Ellis

Board of Directors

John Amante
Robert Crafa
Jamie T. Deming
Kelly Gaudreau
Andrew F. Geisel
George Kakoulides
Lawrence H. Kennedy
Gerald Lalonde

Daria Lamb
Bryan H. Lawrence
Susan Moore
Henriette Rohl
Morgan Simmonds
Alexander J. Smith
Caleigh Toye
Jennifer Baker Walsh

Advisory Board

Murray Fisher
Eugene H. Kaplan, PhD
Mary Alice Kolodner
Diane McGaw
John McGrane
David Relyea

Meet the Team

  • Elisa M. Santoro

    President of the Board of Directors

    Elisa M. Santoro is President of the Board of Directors and has served on the Board of Directors since 2021.  

    Elisa is a graduate of University of Rhode Island with a degree in English Literature and has earned a Juris Doctor degree from California Western School of Law. She is admitted to practice law in New York and California. Elisa is an Attorney in Locust Valley, specializing in Estate Planning, Real Estate, and Land Use. Elisa is an avid rower and tennis player and loves sailing with her husband and their two daughters.

  • George J. Ellis

    Executive Director

    George J. Ellis is the WaterFront Center’s Executive Director. He and his wife Susan have been residents of the Town of Oyster Bay for 22 years, raising two children. George is an avid sailor and competes on the waters of Oyster Bay and beyond. A graduate of the University of Connecticut with a degree in Economics, George has spent his career in capital markets working for investment banks.

  • Cameron Jennes

    Education Director

    Cameron was born and raised in Huntington, Long Island. He earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Marine Biology from the University of Maine and spent a “Semester at the Sea” at the Darling Marvel Center.

    After college, he spent six years working as an outdoor educator/naturalist for Nassau County BOLES. In 2012, Cameron became a Bay Buccaneer instructor at the WFC; after that, he was asked to stay on as the Education Director. Additionally, Cameron is the WFC’s Site Coordinator for the Cornell Cooperative Horseshoe Crab Study and is the main caretaker of all marine animals living in the classroom touch tanks.

    Cameron is a US Sailing REACH coordinator and Boy Scouts of America Merit badge Counselor and is First Aid/CPR Certified. He serves as a judge for the Long Island Environment and for the New York Science and Math Association high school poster competition.

  • Cormac Murphy

    Sailing Director

    Cormac grew up sailing in Centerport, NY. He started sailing at the age of 8 in the Opti, transitioned into the C420 when he was 14, but found his love for the sport during a short campaign in the 470. Growing up, his High School sailing team practiced at The Waterfront Center, which led to him racing on the WFC Junior Big Boat Team. He has most recently been active in the laser class and the match racing circuit.

    Cormac started coaching at The Waterfront Center in 2018 as an Opti intermediate coach. He became the Opti race coach in Fall 2018 and continued with the group until 2020. That year Cormac was promoted to Head Instructor where he gave support to all the different sailing programs throughout the Summer. Cormac has also been coaching the High School Sailing Program since 2020 and can’t wait for another great season.

    Cormac has his First Aid/CPR, U.S. Sailing Level 1, SafeSport, HeadsUp, US Safe Powerboating, and NASBLA certifications.

  • Jamé Krauter

    Senior Engagement Manager

    Jamé grew up in Hauppauge NY, spending all of her summers on the south shore waters on her parent’s powerboat. She attended Hofstra University after receiving a BA in TV Production, she moved to the city and started her career working for CNN. Her passions moved her back to Long Island, Bayville where she lives today with her husband and 3 children. Jamé has worked in development for over 16 years including work with a community service organization and non-profit school for children with developmental disabilities.

    Jamé has always lived near the water and has enjoyed spending time swimming, kayaking, and boating. She is active in Glen Cove as a Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce and Treasurer of the Interagency Council.

  • Katie Murcott

    Program Coordinator

    Katie grew up in Bayville on Long Island, where she spent most of her summers on the water with her family. Growing up, she went water skiing, swimming, and fishing in the Harbor. In High School, Katie was a lifeguard at Center Island Bay. Her past work in the hospital and doctor's office has taught her that she loves to work with the public and is passionate about community outreach.

    Katie is the Program Coordinator at The WaterFront Center. She is excited to share her love of the water with others in her community and looks forward to more adventures with The Waterfront Center!

  • Alexis Pramberger

    Donor Relations Coordinator

    Alexis Pramberger grew up on Long Island before moving to Nashville, TN, where she received her B.S. in Child Development and Public Health from Vanderbilt University and researched early learning and adolescent psychopathology. Translating studies to practice, she worked as a case manager for young adults transitioning out of the foster care system in Tennessee before returning to Long Island.

    Upon her return, Alexis shifted her career focus to the social sector. Her father, Peter Pramberger, had volunteered on the CHRISTEEN for over 10 years and introduced her to the organization. Today, Alexis serves as the Donor Relations Coordinator at the WaterFront Center and seeks to expand fundraising efforts through individual engagement and corporate relationships.

    When she is not in the office, you can find her traveling, crafting, spending time with family, or social dancing. This year, she plans to finally learn how to sail.

Join Our Team