LEADERSHIP TEAM
DAVE PAULSON
President
Dave Paulson is the Director of Technical Operations for Forbo Flooring North America. He and his wife Cheryl moved top Blairstown to raise their 4 children, all of whom attend or graduated from North Warren High School. Dave has spent much of the last 12 years volunteering as a Deacon at the First Presbyterian Church of Blairstown, a member of the Board of Trustees for the Ridge and Valley Charter School and is one of the founding members of the Blairstown Care Coalition. He is passionate about Blairstown and sees a bright future for the town and its residents.
Email: david@blairstownbec.com
THEO PADAVANO
Secretary
Theo Padavano arrived in Blairstown with his wife and daughter in 2006. Attracted to the charm of the village, the family purchased an historic Main Street home that they have been renovating ever since. Having served on the Blairstown Historic Preservation Committee for many years, Theo recently joined the BEC to continue his pledge “to be engaged and involved” in the community. Employed locally as an exhibition designer servicing museums and fine art institutions, Theo brings a creative eye to BEC projects. An avid hiker, motorcycle rider and a classic car enthusiast, his spare time is filled with treks on nature trails, twisting-the-throttle on country roads or cruising to car shows.
Email: theo@blairstownbec.com
CHERYL PAULSON
Treasurer
Cheryl was the Owner/Proprietor of Breathing Room Center, LLC in Blairstown. Cheryl not only enjoys teaching yoga at the center, but at other local senior centers in Blairstown & Hackettstown, as well as seasonally at Brook Hollow Winery. In addition to serving on the BEC board, she is an active member of the Blairstown community – attending town meetings and getting involved in whatever ways are needed. Cheryl lives in Blairstown with her husband Dave and four children – David, Milly, Mary (NW graduates) & Jimmy (NW student).
Email: cheryl@blairstownbec.com
MCKITRICK CHABOT
Director – BEC Business Champions Program
McKitrick comes to the BEC with more than a decade of customer experience management and a deep expertise in the hospitality and service industries. She is the BEC resident expert in the latest consumer trends and business productivity and marketing technology platforms. The perfect “Business Champion, ” McKitrick is an enthusiastic team player who loves to connect, communicate, and bring people together from every walk of life.
McKitrick moved to the Blairstown area from Southern California with her husband, John, and their three young children. A talented chef and consummate foodie, McKitrick is the co-owner of a new gourmet food truck, “Tacos Chicas,” serving up sustainable street food.
Email: McKitrick@blairstownbec.com
KEVIN DOELL
Director - Communications
Kevin joined the BEC in 2018. He has built a career in marketing and communications and currently works for one of the world’s largest shipping and logistics companies. Kevin’s career experiences have spanned multiple industries such as water utilities, real estate, telecommunications and the military where he served as an officer in the U.S. Army.
Kevin married his high school sweetheart, Patti. They have two sons, Henry and Lucas, who were raised right in Blairstown on the family flower farm they call “Little Big Farm.”
Kevin believes that service to the country starts in the community and is committed to doing all he can to help Blairstown be the best it can be, including his past service on the township environmental commissin, land use board, and beginning in 2023, the Blairstown Elementary School Board of Education.
Email: Kevin@blairstownbec.com
KAITLIN EAMIGH
Executive Director
Kaitlin Eamigh is the BEC’s first ever Executive Director. Her career has been driven by her desire to make a difference in the community and have a positive impact on the lives of others. She comes to us with over ten years of nonprofit management experience, most recently in the healthcare sector. With a passion for senior care and building a sense of community, she is excited to carry out the BEC’s mission to make the Blairstown area an even better place to live, visit, raise a family and do business.
Kaitlin and her husband Brad both grew up in the area and are now raising their two sons, Ryder + Dylan, in beautiful Stillwater, where they share their love of nature and adventure sports.
Email: Kaitlin@blairstownbec.com
MELINDA GAERTNER
Director - Community Outreach & Engagement
A lifelong New Jersey resident, Melinda moved to Blairstown with her husband, Ben, and her two dogs in the fall of 2020. She began attending BEC mixers to become more involved in the community, meet new people, and promote her small business, “The Essential Goat.” Utilizing her long-standing background as a client relationship manager, Melinda brings enthusiasm and strong communication skills to her position as Director of Outreach & Engagement. She’s excited to fulfill her role and support the BEC’s mission to make the Blairstown area an even better place to live, visit and do business. In her free time she can be found spending time outdoors, reading, nurturing her creative visions, or studying aromatherapy.
Email: Melinda@blairstownbec.com