Board of Directors

Camp Laurelwood is fortunate to be governed by a highly dedicated, all volunteer Board of Directors. Click below to learn about the importance of and the impact that Camp Laurelwood has had on their lives.

Eric Brown - President

  • President, West Hartford Lock Co. LLC
  • B.S. from Cornell University 1998
  • Laurelwood Camper 1986-1990
  • Laurelwood Staff 1991 – 1995
  • Laurelwood Parent 2013 – Present

“Camp Laurelwood helped define my childhood, providing me with lifelong friends and wonderful memories. As a staff member in the Laurelwood Kitchen, I learned invaluable lessons about leadership, hard work, loyalty, and teamwork which have easily translated to my personal and professional life as an adult. Now a parent of 3 children attending Laurelwood, I am thrilled to see how incredibly important and impactful their Laurelwood experience is for them, and we enjoy sharing our camp stories with each other. I am honored to be a member of the Board and to have the opportunity to help ensure that Laurelwood may continue to be a positive influence on the lives of many in the years to come.”

Scott Mendlestein - Vice President

  • Managing Shareholder-Falk, Waas, Hernandez, Solomon, Mendlestein & Davis, P.A.
  • J.D., University of Miami 1999
  • B.A., The University of Massachusetts 1996
  • Laurelwood Camper: 1986-1988
  • Laurelwood Kitchen: 1989-1996
  • Laurelwood Parent: 2018-present
  • Laurelwood Board Member: 2020-present

"My 11 summers at Laurelwood define me. The experiences, relationships and memories that came from them made an indelible impression on me. I pride myself on my tenacious work ethic, interpersonal skills, ability to lead and ferocious sense of loyalty—all of which were fostered in me during my Laurelwood years, particularly during my time in the CL Kitchen. In a very real sense, Laurelwood has always been at my core. I now have the privilege of seeing Laurelwood through the eyes of my children, Jake and Ava. As their love for Laurelwood grows and becomes a large part of defining who they are, I feel a deep responsibility to make sure that Laurelwood thrives for generations to come."

Michele Gottfried - Vice President

  • Attorney, Beazley Insurance, Claims Manager
  • B.A. University of Delaware
  • Brooklyn Law School, JD
  • Laurelwood Camper 1984-1990 and Captain of Team Simpsons
  • Laurelwood Parent 2007 - Current
  • Board Member since 2014

“Camp Laurelwood will forever be the best memories of my childhood. I want my children and others to be able to experience what I did - build a Jewish identity; create lifelong friendships; and have a place that just made you feel like you belonged there. Once you are a part of Laurelwood, there is a bond with everyone who also has a connection to it.“

Josh Erlanger - Treasurer

  • Vice President at Lerman Container Corporation
  • University Of Pittsburgh
  • Camp Laurelwood Camper 1986 -1992
  • Staff Member 1993 - 1997
  • Board Member 2004-2009, 2017 - Current

“Camp Laurelwood was where I did most of my growing up. To this day many of my best friends are the ones I made at Laurelwood. Being on the board gives me an opportunity to give back to my favorite place on earth and relive some of the best days of my life.”

Perri Albert - Secretary

  • Management Consultant, Transformation at PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers)
  • MBA in Strategic Leadership and Organizational Change, Fisher College, 2017
  • B.S. of Management, Fisher College, 2016
  • Laurelwood Staff Member and Lifeguard 2011, 2013, 2014
  • Laurelwood Camper 2002-2010 (Big-O Captain, Team Narnia!)

“Camp Laurelwood has so many meanings to so many different people – for me, my core childhood years were spent inside the bubble learning who I was and who I wanted to be. I am grateful for those who made my and my brothers time at Camp possible, without them we wouldn’t have made the most amazing friends and memories. Serving on the Board of Directors allows me the opportunity to give back to the special place that gave my family and I so much. A true Laurelwood summer is so much more than just being away from home for a few months. It is truly life changing and I am excited for kids to experience the magic of Laurelwood for decades to come!”

Marci Levin - Past President

  • Program Management Advisor - Cigna
  • B.S. from Quinnipiac University 2008
  • M.B.A. from Walden University 2011
  • Camp Laurelwood Camper 1988
  • Staff Member 1994-1996 (Big O Captain in 1996)
  • Board Member since 2016

“Joining the Camp Laurelwood Board of Directors has allowed me to relive all of the wonderful memories that I have of being at Camp several years ago, and now, I am able to help others create similar long lasting memories. To me, Camp Laurelwood is all about memories and traditions and keeping those traditions alive and passing them on from generation to generation.”

Elie Honig

  • CNN Senior Legal Analyst
  • Former federal and state prosecutor
  • Emmy-nominated legal correspondent and bestselling author
  • Graduate of Rutgers University (1997) and Harvard Law School (2000)
  • Laurelwood Camper (1985-89), Kitchen (1990-92), Counselor (1993), Division Head (1994)

“All the cliches about camp are true, for me. I spent the best parts of my childhood at Laurelwood, I made lifelong friends, and I grew up there. Now, I’m honored to give back. It’s vital that Camp remains strong, so new generations of campers and staff can have the same experience I once did.”

Scott Cooper

  • President, Cooper New England Sales, Inc.
  • B.A. American University, 1987
  • Laurelwood Camper 1976-1979
  • Staff Member 1981-1983.
  • Board Member 30 years, President 2004-2005, 2016-2017
  • Laurelwood Parent 2004 – 2018 with 3 children at camp.

“CLW is important to me because I know first hand the impact that it had on me in terms of developing my own Jewish identity as well as a sense of self confidence and independence. Some of the best friendships I have made have been a result of camp. I became involved with camp so that I can help provide the same experience for my children. As I have stayed involved over the years, I have come to appreciate the importance of this institution for our entire Jewish community and look forward to seeing it continue for future generations.”

Sam Kantrow

  • Meteorologist at WTNH-New Haven
  • B.S Western Connecticut State University
  • Laurelwood Camper 1995-2002
  • Staff Member 2003 - 2010
  • Board Member 2014-present
  • Camp Parent since 2016

“In everyone's life, maturity comes at different times. For some it is a single moment with a life-changing event, for others it happens gradually into adulthood. For me the change happened instantly at Camp Laurelwood. Camp taught me how to grow, how to be independent, and how to have the strength to pave my own way to success. I met my best friends at camp, the friends that have since become family to me. Since age 7 camp has always been a part of my year but its the whole reason I became the person I am today. The best part is, now I have kids that get to share those same experiences and memories I had at camp as campers themselves!”

Jason Malkin

  • Managing Member - Chimera Securities
  • B.A. Clark University 1997
  • Laurelwood Camper 1988-1990
  • Staff Member 1992-1996
  • Laurelwood Parent 2015 - Present

"Camp Laurelwood was a huge part of my childhood. Through a scholarship, I was able to attend a camp that exposed me to new experiences and a sense of independence that I never would have achieved otherwise. My children have grown up hearing my stories of camp - and I am thrilled that they will now get a chance to make their own Laurelwood memories. Being on the board of directors is a way for me to give back and ensure that all of our children will continue to have the true Laurelwood experience."

Allyson Koplin

  • Laurelwood Current Camp Parent-3 Children
  • Laurelwood Board Member
  • Laurelwood Past Camp Mom-Health Center
  • Laurelwood Past Camper
  • Laurelwood Past Staff Member
  • BA Colgate University,1994
  • Ph.D. Adelphi University, 2002
  • Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Private Practice in New York City
  • School Psychologist at Horace Mann School

“Camp Laurelwood has been an important part of my life from childhood to present. From making lifelong friends and experiencing the joy of attending a Jewish camp, Laurelwood has always had a special place in my heart. I am overjoyed to have my own children continue to love Laurelwood and benefit from the opportunities it holds to form connections and develop independence. Being a member of the Board is important to me to ensure Laurelwood can continue to thrive and offer future generations all the gifts it has to offer.”

Justin Koplin

  • President APEC Paper Industries
  • Founder/Owner Coverd Photo
  • B.A. Johns Hopkins University '95
  • Laurelwood Parent 2011-Present

"Seeing the positive impact that Camp Laurelwood has on my three daughters fills me with joy. I want to do my part to be sure this wonderful institution continues to thrive so future generations can be a part of this vital and important community."

Heather Kronewetter

  • Superintendent, Oakstone Community School
  • B.S. from Bowling Green State University 1996
  • M. Ed. from Ashland University 2011
  • Camp Laurelwood Staff Member 1992 - 1994 (Big O Captain, Division Head)

“The summers I spent at Laurelwood were life changing. I developed a deeper understanding of tradition, culture, and friendship at Laurelwood. Joining Camp Laurelwood’s Board is an opportunity for me to bring my passion for the camp experience to as many children as possible. My hope is that campers will leave the summer with greater self-confidence, an understanding of teamwork, leadership skills, and compassion for others. I am honored to serve the Board and excited for the future of Camp Laurelwood.”

Jeff Rubin

(Scooby’s Dad!!)

  • CT Licensed Public Insurance Adjuster, owner Husky Adjusters LLC
  • B.S. Accounting UCONN, 76’
  • Laurelwood Camper, Counselor, Division Leader: 1969-1975
  • Captain-Sweden 1969 (General-Congo)
  • Co-namer of ’The Cave’ 1975
  • Laurelwood Camper Parent 1999-2004
  • Laurelwood Board Member since 2004 including years as Secretary/Treasurer on
    the Executive Board
  • Member UCONN Cheerleaders Alumni Association
  • Member Pan American Historical Foundation
  • National Champion of Panama- Ms. Pacman 1983

"I have four life passions: #1 is my son David (Scooby). I went to my first rock concert;
The Who, Jefferson Airplane, BB King w/ Joshua Light Show on a Camp Laurelwood
overnight field trip, August 12, 1969 (4 days before Woodstock). Scooby and I have
since attended over 300 concerts/shows leading to his passion for music and him
becoming one of the top DJ's in CT. He continues to DJ the end of season Laurelwood
Banquet/Social. Evenly tied for #2 in my heart is Camp Laurelwood, the UCONN Huskies
and Pan American World Airways (Pan Am)."

Jason Weeks

  • B.A. University of Massachusetts at Amherst (1997)
  • Juris Doctor, New York Law School (2007)
  • Laurelwood Camper (1985-89), Kitchen (1990-92), Counselor (1993), Division Head (1994)

"Camp Laurelwood is woven into the very fabric of my being. The experiences I had there shaped me into the person I am today. My journey at Laurelwood began in 1984, as a shy and unsure camper. By the end of that summer, I had blossomed into a confident and outgoing individual, surrounded by newfound friends and eagerly awaiting the next year. Those formative years as a camper were followed by rewarding experiences on the other side. I spent three years (1990-1992) contributing in the kitchen, and then transitioned into counselor and division head roles in 1993 and 1994, respectively. The diverse perspectives I gained throughout my time at camp – as a camper, staff member, and now a parent with two children attending – have profoundly shaped the person I am today. Serving on the Board of Directors presents a unique opportunity to give back to the place that has given me so much. I am eager to help ensure that future generations have the chance to experience the magic of Camp Laurelwood and embark on their own transformative journeys."

Henry M Zachs

  • B.A. Trinity College 1956
  • Recipient of The Eigenbrodt Cup in 2006 (Trinity’s highest alumni award)
  • MBA Wharton School at UPenn 1958
  • Founder, CEO & President of Message Center Beepers, Message Center Management, and Investor in 14+ start-up cellular companies
  • Director of and/or Advisor to The Bushnell, Connecticut Historical Society, JFACT, New England Jewish Academy, Oak Hill School, Solomon Schechter Day School, Trinity College Hillel, Trinity College Watkinson Library, UConn Hillel
  • Trustee of Oak Hill School, Trinity College Watkinson Library, Wadsworth Atheneum
  • Former Trustee or Director/Chairman of Greater Hartford Jewish Federation, Harold Grinspoon Foundation, Williston Northampton School, Trinity College, Florence Griswold Museum, United Way
  • Funded buildings at Williston (Admissions building), UConn School of Social Work, UConn Fine Arts, UConn Hillel, Trinity College Hillel and Connecticut College Hillel, among other rebuilding/refurbishing projects for charities in CT
  • We have rehabilitated virtually every building at Laurelwood
  • Partnered with several Indian Tribes across the U.S. to enter FCC lotteries as wire line carriers with cellular licenses to generate revenue as independent nations. This was the first recognition of the Indian preference.
  • President of Zachs Family Foundation

“Laurelwood is the best overnight Jewish camp in CT. I’m glad to be a part of it.”