Cottage Owners Association

Our Organization & Officers 2025-2026

In the fall of 2025, a group of cottage owners came together to form the Cottage Owners Association, with the goal of ensuring that cottage owners are informed and represented in the decisions that affect our Campground community. Many of our organizing members are former MVCMA board members—a reflection of our commitment to continuity, partnership, and constructive dialogue. The team includes three former MVCMA board presidents: Russ Dagnall, Craig Lowe, and Kevin Lyttle. Together, the organizing team brings experience, collaboration, and a shared love of the Campground to their work in shaping the Cottage Owners Association’s foundation and future.

Members of the organizing team are as follows: Hazel Allen, Russ and Sally Dagnall, Craig and Edie Lowe, Kevin and Cindy Lyttle, Mike and Joann Maitland, Terry McCarthy, Maureen McDonald, and Larry Zielinski.

The organizing team created a charter and elected a slate of pro tem officers to serve a one-year term, from October 2, 2025, to October 1, 2026: Maureen McDonald, Chair; Kevin Lyttle, Vice Chair; Larry Zielinski, Treasurer; and Hazel Allen, Secretary.  Serving until formal elections are held at the Association’s first annual meeting in August 2026, the officers’ focus is on strengthening our sense of Campground community, fostering open communication, and ensuring that cottage owners have a unified voice in the stewardship of the Campground. 

Officers 2025-2026

Officers for 2025–2026 are as follows: Maureen McDonald, Chair; Kevin Lyttle, Vice Chair; Larry Zielinski, Treasurer; and Hazel Allen, Secretary.

Maureen is a retired human resources executive with deep expertise in organizational development, corporate strategy, and leadership. She retired in 2016 as Vice President of Human Resources at Dell Technologies Inc., following senior leadership roles at Oracle and Perot Systems.

A passionate advocate for kidney donation, Maureen donated a kidney in 2024 and continues to raise awareness about the life-changing impact of living donation. She has also been an active board member and lay leader in the Unitarian Universalist congregations to which she has belonged, reflecting her commitment to service and community.

From 2018 to 2024, Maureen served on the Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association (MVCMA) Board, where she chaired both the Religious Life and Program Committees. She and her husband, Brant Weatherford, purchased their cottage in 2014 and divide their time between Crossroads, Texas; Pleasantville, New York; and the Campground. They cherish the months from May through October in Oak Bluffs, welcoming visits from their children and five grandchildren, and enjoying the sense of belonging and community that makes the Campground special.

Kevin is a retired research scientist who focused on the development of new materials and processes for welding steel, aluminum, and other non-ferrous materials.  He is the holder of several U.S. and international patents in these areas  As a recognized expert in the areas of safety and health related to welding, he represented the U.S. at international conferences developing standards and regulations pertaining to materials joining.

Kevin has been actively involved in the Methodist congregations where he, and his wife Cindy, have been members and has led the Missions and Stewardship efforts of these churches.  His work at the local level to help community members in need has extended to leading/participating in groups involved in providing emergency financial assistance to clients as well as food assistance when needed. 

Kevin and his family purchased their Campgrounds cottage in 1980 and have enjoyed summers on Martha’s Vineyard ever since.  Kevin was a member of the MVCMA board from 1990-2001  He served as president from 2000-2001.  During his tenure, the Board focused on providing a solution to the sewering issues faced by the Campgrounds.  He also led the effort to institute – for the first time in history – term limits for Board members.  While president, he hired the first professional executive director, which enabled the MVCMA to function more efficiently and fairly.

Larry is a (semi) retired asset management consultant, having spent over 45 years in the investment industry. Over that time, he advanced to become an Executive Vice President at Evaluation Associates (EAI), a national consultancy, and was the lead consultant to the NFL, the New York State Teachers Retirement System, Textron, Lockheed Martin and others on their retirement plan investment programs. He also served six years in the active and reserve components of the US Army, rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant and was twice recipient of the USAR Commendation Medal.

An avid sports fan – primarily soccer – he served as a youth coach (whose team brought back the first DANA CUP west across the Atlantic in 1987), joined the 1994 World Cup Founders Club, and became part owner of a Division II professional soccer franchise, the Staten Island Vipers.

He was a 9-year member of the MVCMA Board, serving at various times as Vice President, Treasurer, and Chair of the Finance & Investment Committee.

In 1973, Larry was introduced to the Campground by his wife, Susan, who had been coming to the Island since 1950. They purchased their cottage at 21 West Clinton in 1981, and have spent the last 44 summer seasons enjoying the Campground and the Island.

Hazel Allen spent her working career as a professional biology educator and was one of the founding teachers of the Connecticut International Baccalaureate Academy. She has lived in Bolton, CT for 50 years where she has served as chair of the Bolton Board of Health, treasurer of the Bolton Community Education Foundation, and is the current secretary of the Bolton Greater Together Community Fund.  

In the offseason, Hazel enjoys travel, reading (she belongs to three book groups), singing in a church choir, and attending concerts and plays.  She is an avid UCONN Women’s Basketball Fan and has been a season ticket holder for over 30 years.

Hazel and her late husband Bob purchased their Campground cottage in 1986 and spent the next several years working on it inside and out.  She served on the MVCMA Board of Directors for 9 years and was chair of both the Program and Visitors & Museum Committees.  Since 2007, she and fellow Campgrounder Cindy Lyttle have taken it upon themselves to personally meet and welcome every new cottage owner.  Hazel is proud to have served as a Co-Chair of each of the past 16 Gingerbread Cottage Tours in addition to many other volunteer roles. She looks forward to spending each summer with her family and friends in this special community.