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Since 1915, Star Island Corporation, a nonprofit organization, has owned and operated the facilities on Star Island, one of the nine Isles of Shoals off the coast of New Hampshire and Maine. Each summer, Star Island welcomes over 15,000 visitors – people who come to experience a true New Hampshire treasure – as day visitors, personal retreaters, and “conferees” (those who attend one of Star’s many programs, with diverse themes including natural history, the arts, international affairs, religion and science, history, yoga, and more). Star Island – essentially a summer camp for people of all ages – is an oasis for those who value educational enrichment, creative exploration, personal growth, spiritual renewal, and coming together in community. Star Island continuously hosts world-renowned speakers (such as Margaret Mead, Betty Friedan, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, Theodore Bikel, Buckminster Fuller, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, Robert Putnam, and Hamish McKenzie) – visionaries who present ideas, foster discussions, and challenge our thinking long after people leave the island. And Star is also a place to kick back with a lime rickey, relaxing in a rocking chair on the front porch of the Oceanic Hotel. To learn more about Star Island’s programming, impact, and more, please visit www.starisland.org and follow on Facebook and Instagram (@star.island.nh).
Joe Watts has served as CEO of the Star Island Corporation since 2012. He was first introduced to Star as a young boy when his parents brought the family to a conference, and he has been a “Shoaler” ever since. As a teenager in the late 1980s, Joe joined the summer staff (affectionately known as Pelicans), and he has been working full-time for the nonprofit organization since 1998. Joe has experience in nearly every facet of island stewardship, including housekeeping, painting, facilities management, conference center director, island manager, and all-around ambassador for all things Star Island. Under Joe’s leadership, Star has become a model of environmental stewardship and sustainability practices, has significantly increased day visitor access and overnight guests in a welcoming and inclusive environment, expanded conference/programming offerings, and ensured the financial wellbeing of Star Island Corporation. Joe credits his capable and dedicated staff, board, and many volunteers and donors for these successes, and he is eager to invite as many residents of the Seacoast Region as possible to engage with Star Island. Joe grew up in Manchester, NH, received degrees from University of Pennsylvania and University of New Hampshire, and along with his wife, Brenda, their two children (when they are home from college), and two dogs, resides in Kittery, ME.