Introducing CWDI’s new board members

Cambridge Waterfront Development, Inc, recently ratified three new members to its volunteer Board of Directors. They are Natalie Chabot and Gaver Nichols, both appointed by the City to fill the seats of Rich Zeidman and Dion Banks; and Tim Crosby, appointed by the County to succeed Jeff Powell. The Spy asked these three a few questions about their qualifications for the positions and their views on the Cambridge Harbor project. But first, a little of their background.

Cambridge native Natalie Chabot attended Allegany College of Maryland and is a 2005 graduate of Leadership Maryland. She served as the Director of Economic Development with the City of Cambridge from 2008 to 2015, and she was the Director of Tourism in Caroline, Dorchester, and Alleghany Counties. She has been active on the boards of the Dorchester Center for the Arts, Heart of Chesapeake Country Heritage Area, Sailwinds Park, Inc., Maryland Life Magazine, Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway, and the Maryland Coalition of Heritage Areas. She was instrumental in the formation of a non-profit organization to support the mission of Dorchester County’s heritage area and obtained more than $1.2 million in grant funds for the tourism program.

A graduate of Catholic University, architect and planner Tim Crosby is the principal owner and CEO of Crosby & Associates AIA, LLC. He was also the founder and director of The Delmarva Rural Laboratory, Inc. He has over 40 years of experience planning and designing Historic Preservation, Residential, Institutional, Educational, Mixed Use, Life Science, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology facilities. In an interview, County Council President Lenny Pfeffer said that Crosby is very familiar with the community and that he will “represent the true feelings of the citizens of Dorchester County.”

Virginia Tech grad Gaver Nichols is a licensed architect in several states, certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, and a member of the Northern Virginia American Institute of Architects. He has served on the Maryland Association of Historic District Commissions Board of Directors since 2021. His firm, Gaver Nichols Architect, focuses on additions and renovations to homes and buildings. It was named a top designer in the American Residental Design Awards by the American Institute of Building Design. Cambridge City Council President Lajan Cephas said Nichols’ experience with the local Board of Zoning Appeals will give CWDI the advantage of understanding what’s expected when it comes to zoning.

What was your motivation for joining the CWDI board?

CHABOT: I choose to live here and care deeply about the future of our community. Cambridge is a unique, authentic, historic town. The waterfront, which is the highly visible front door to Cambridge, obviously provides tremendous opportunity. It is such an important asset that can have an impressive, positive impact on the city.

CROSBY: I believe that the Cambridge Harbor is the most important development project in Dorchester County.  I was motivated to seek appointment to the board because I believe that, in some small way, I can have a positive impact on how this project will be planned and executed.

NICHOLS: Cambridge is a little town that needs some help.

Why do you think you were chosen for the board? 

CHABOT: I was the former City of Cambridge Economic Development director. The waterfront was the top priority project we focused on as a team and the city was able to obtain the property from the State at that time. Discussions with the hospital also started back then on the possibility of relocating their facilities. We were able to leverage millions of dollars in grants to initiate the restoration of the deteriorating wharf. That was the first phase of the overall waterfront redevelopment. I also served on the Sailwinds board (the original waterfront management nonprofit) from the time I was hired as director of Dorchester County Tourism & Chesapeake Country Heritage Area. So, I have somewhat of an expansive knowledge, history, and significant connections with this project.

CROSBY: I believe that I was chosen for this position because of my 45 years of practice as an architect and planner.

NICHOLS: One of the reasons I’m on the board is I’m an architect, which I think was a missing skillset.

What are your expectations for the future of the board and your tenure on it?

CHABOT: There is a strong, experienced group of individuals on the board. CWDI has clearly worked hard over the last several years, attempting to keep this project moving forward. My expectation is for the directors to work cohesively together in conjunction with the local private and public sector partners, as well as at the state level. In the past, we found it’s a crucial approach to have many partners engaged and enthusiastic about the project. This type of development takes a coordinated effort with many stakeholders and resources to achieve the successes that the community wants.

CROSBY: My expectations for the future of the board is that it will continue to be committed to CWDI’s primary mission; “To develop Cambridge Harbor in partnership with the community to the benefit of the community, and to sustainably operate and maintain Cambridge Harbor.”

NICHOLS: We’re trying to solve problems at the board.

Are you committed to CWDI’s transparency with the city and county councils and the people of Cambridge?

CHABOT: Absolutely.

CROSBY: Yes.

NICHOLS: I mentioned to the city council, “I’m your representative on the board.”

Are you optimistic about the Cambridge Harbor project?

CHABOT: Yes, of course. As we continue to build and maintain a strong working relationship with our partners, we can set a course for success. This is an extremely challenging initiative for our community, with many complicating factors. It has taken time, and it will take more time. However, I believe in Cambridge’s future and the value of this process. I believe we will all enjoy the various elements of the waterfront development concept, if we all work together.

CROSBY: Very optimistic.

NICHOLS: I’m very, very optimistic about the board. I wouldn’t be there otherwise. It’s pretty exciting, actually.

How do you plan to work to bring in businesses?

CHABOT: My understanding is that we will be improving upon some key organizational issues first. Once those items are finalized, I trust the board will be ready to take a new approach and address any identified areas of concern.

CROSBY: I will work with the leadership of the board in any way they see that I could help with bringing in new business.

When will ground be broken for construction at Cambridge Harbor? 

CHABOT: Actually, there’s some good news, preliminary construction of the Promenade which extends from the wharf around the waterfront and down along Franklin Street has begun. A groundbreaking ceremony for the promenade extension will be held next month (December 19th).