Corn Hill Navigation names new director

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Corn Hill Navigation has tapped a nonprofit veteran as its new executive director.

Bruce Van Hise replaces L.J. Fisher at the helm of CHN, the organization that runs the popular Sam Patch, a 19th century replica packet boat that cruises the Erie Canal and Genesee River. He brings three decades of not-for-profit experience to the role.

Van Hise previously served as chief executive of the Rundel Library Foundation and the SUNY College at Brockport Foundation. He also served as interim senior director for Rochester Area Community Foundation and as senior vice president for U.S. Trust, advising public charities and private foundations in Rochester and across New York.

“The Erie Canal and Genesee River play a vital role in connecting our community, offering a range of educational, recreational, tourism and development opportunities,” Van Hise said in a statement. “Unfortunately, for many years, and much like the experience of many other communities, our waterways were largely ignored and sometimes abused. I am excited to be joining the organization that led a reawakening of interest in the canal and river, and look forward to continuing the pioneering work of Corn Hill Navigation‘s dedicated staff and board.”

Among CHN’s highest priorities is returning a boat downtown to replace the retired Mary Jemison, which was docked at Corn Hill from 2005 until 2013. Building on a $250,000 grant that was part of the ROC the Riverway initiative, gifts from the family of Ted and Claire Curtis and leadership gifts from the board, CHN is in the final stages of a $500,000 campaign to purchase and operate a new boat in Corn Hill.

“Corn Hill Navigation’s mission goes well beyond offering boat cruises, but in our experience, cruises are the most effective way to cultivate an understanding of the importance of the canal and river to our community,” former CHN board Chairwoman Beth Teall said. “We’re very encouraged by the early support for our campaign, and look forward to returning a boat to downtown next year.”

Founded by the late Edward (Ted) Curtis Jr., a former Eastman Kodak Co. executive and city manager, CHN advances a range of educational, environmental and economic development initiatives to foster the region’s waterways. Since its founding, more than 400,000 area students, visitors from every state and more than 40 countries and families from the Greater Rochester region have experienced the canal and river aboard a CHN cruise.

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