Hub rowing organization, among nation's largest, elects board head

(Yoon S. Byun/Globe file photo)

Community Rowing operates out of the Harry Parker Boathouse.

By Matt Rocheleau, Town Correspondent

A new board leader has been elected to a nonprofit rowing organization, among the largest of its kind in the country, based along the Charles River in Brighton.

Newton resident Lila McCain was voted board president of the 2,000-member Community Rowing Inc. this week replacing Jane Morse, who led the organization for the past seven years.

McCain has more than 20 years of human resource management experience, including in her current job for a nonprofit in downtown Boston. She joined the organization the year of its inception as a rower in 1985 and has served on the volunteer board of directors the past two years.

Her priorities for the organization’s future include educating rowing leaders, improving competitive racing at every level and maintaining community spirit, said a press release from the group.

“I am excited about continuing to enhance the experience at Community Rowing through cross-programming,” including integration of activities that allow novice rowers to learn from experienced ones, she said in the release.

McCain has bachelor’s degrees in psychology and management from Boston College and completed a master’s degree in business administration through Boston University and Pace University in New York, the nonprofit said. She was introduced to the sport at BU in 1983 and, one year later, was instrumental in the launch of BC’s Rowing Club, which now shares space in Community Rowing’s award-winning Harry Parker Boathouse that opened in 2009.

“I am thrilled that rowing is now a B.C. varsity sport for women and that Boston College shares space with CRI,” said Ms. McCain in the announcement.

The boathouse was a major achievement of former-president Morse’s seven-year tenure that “guided the organization to new heights,” the release said.

Morse, honored at the group’s 25th anniversary celebration last year, led CRI “through the worst of the recent economic downturn, and expanded programs and opportunities for community and physical fitness to military veterans, the adaptive community, Boston Public School students, and the entire Greater Boston population,” the organization said.

“CRI is overjoyed to welcome another seasoned leader as president, and we look forward to another exciting year of programs, activities, and new rowers on the Charles River,” said executive director of Community Rowing Bruce Harold Smith in the release.

The organization promotes health and fitness in Greater Boston and has provided education and training to more than 15,000 people since it was founded. This year, it will launch an institute for rowing coaches and leadership in the sport, including a certification program. Established 26 years ago by a group of Olympic and National Team Rowers, CRI has over 30 programs and a fleet of more than 170 sweep and sculling shells.

E-mail Matt Rocheleau at mjrochele@gmail.com.