NEWPORT

Board of Directors

Brooke "Buzz" Aker

Board Chair

Brooke Aker is a retired AI executive. He spent 35 years from the dawn of Data Science through to building and applying AI in a variety of industries. He is a patented inventor, team builder and noted author on the subject of analytics and intelligence.

Brooke has prior board experience with Loaves and Fishes and a member of Called to Care ministries. As an experienced sailor he has owned, operated and maintained several sailing vessels as well as raced the New England coast and to Bermuda.

Tracy Newell

Board Treasurer

Tracy has been an avid sailor since learning on a Sunfish at age ten, developing a lifelong appreciation for the water and hands-on experience with small-boat sailing. Recently retired from a successful career in information technology, Tracy now devotes more of his time to sailing and to volunteer service. He actively supports several mission-driven organizations, including Foster Parrots, a parrot sanctuary; Yellow Horse, a therapeutic equine program; and Save the Bay, which works to protect and restore Narragansett Bay.

Throughout his professional career, Tracy worked across the healthcare, retail, and manufacturing sectors, serving in a range of IT leadership and technical roles, including owning and operating his own company. He has also served on the boards of both professional associations and non-profit organizations, bringing experience in governance, strategic planning, and operational oversight.

Tracy lives in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, with his wife and their two adopted cats.

Simone Fargiorgio

Board Member

I am honored to have been invited to serve on the board of Sail beyond Cancer. Over the past ten years I have been working very closely with the American Cancer Society (ACS) as chair of the RI Leadership group, and a member of the RI group Men Wear Pink. We organize four fundraising events every year

Since retiring in 2023 from the Insurance and financial industry, I have become more passionate and involved in helping our community. I am a member of the Providence Rotary, where our focus is literacy.

I am eager to roll up my sleeves, and begin working with you all, and hoping to make a difference.

Russell Lucas

Board Member

I am now living in Newport following a life living and sailing on the Barnegat Bay, NJ. Retired from a career in finance and continuing my lifelong passion for sailing and the magic it offers me and others.

My sailing life revolves around racing E Scows and Melges 20’s. Also with my Dad sailing wooden boats, owning a Herreshoff 15, 28’ Yawl and many smaller wooden boats and ice boats.

I am currently on the Board of Herreshoff Maritime Museum and have served on the Boards of US Sailing, National Sailing Hall of Fame, Community Foundation of NJ and various wooden boats associations.

My experience with cancer is deeply personal with my Dad who fought prostate and melanoma for years. Our sails together were so special and I could see the benefits of Dad connecting with his life on the water. He lived a life of independence, freedom and joy on the water and ski slopes. I’d like to help others share this magic.

Lizz de Villegas

Board Member

Lizz de Villegas has always had an adventurous spirit. Life has taken her around the world, from New York City to India, back to Newport, then across the country to Northern California, but Newport always had a way of bringing her home.

Lizz’s career has spanned nonprofit development, fundraising, marketing, public relations, fashion, and event management. She has produced events in New York City, worked with national brands and charitable organizations, founded her own women’s clothing line while living in India, and served on several community boards. Today, she works with the American Cancer Society in development and fundraising in Rhode Island.

As a cancer survivor, Lizz’s connection to Sail Beyond Cancer is deeply personal. She understands the importance of finding moments of joy, freedom, and connection during and after a cancer diagnosis, and was immediately drawn to the organization’s mission of giving patients and their loved ones a chance to leave cancer on shore, even if just for a few hours.

Lizz lives in Newport and is the proud mother of two sons and a chocolate labrador. She loves being near the ocean, traveling, and supporting the community she is fortunate to call home.

Vasilios (Bill) Efthimiades

Board Member

Finance executive and accounting professional with more than 20 years of experience leading financial operations, accounting, auditing, taxation, budgeting, and organizational strategy across nonprofit, municipal, healthcare, education, and private-sector organizations.

Currently serving as Vice President and Treasurer of the Proprietors of Swan Point Cemetery and Owner of Alpha-Omega Accounting and Tax
Services, LLC. Proven track record of strengthening financial controls, leading technology transformations, overseeing human resources and payroll functions, and delivering strategic financial guidance to boards and executive leadership. Certified PlanSponsor Professional (CPSP), fluent in Greek, and dedicated community leader with extensive experience serving nonprofit and faith-based organizations.