Steve has lived on Martha’s Vineyard for more than 35 years, and nearly all of them as the owner of Cronig’s Market. In 1986, Robert Cronig turned over the helm of the now 100+ year-old grocery store to Steve, who has continued to build Cronig’s into the Island’s community grocery store focused on customers’ needs. Recently, Steve sold Cronig’s entire business to a Cronig’s employee to continue the tradition of quality, integrity, and community. Steve is known for his quiet philanthropy and non-profit leadership through the years. A longtime supporter of the MVTimes, Steve understands the public service role of local journalism and worked with the previous owners to acquire the news organization in early 2024, and now serves as President and owner of the MVTimes Corp. Steve has served on many Island boards over the years and believes strongly in the Island community, and understands that the Island’s challenges deserve community solutions and action.

John started his investment career at Merrill Lynch in 1981. In 1986, he founded Beacon Hill Capital LLC and has raised over $20 billion to build and renovate affordable housing apartments nationally. John and his wife Melissa met in Vineyard Haven in the summer of 1974 and have been coming back for almost 50 years. John loves sailing, cruising, and fishing, and he and his son Tyler are the proud owners of Lucky Duck, a 25-foot Gannon & Benjamin day-sailer. Since moving full-time to the Island in 2017, John has served on the boards of the MV Museum, Martha’s Vineyard Ocean Academy, and Tisbury Working Waterfront. In 2021, he was instrumental in helping to acquire property on the Vineyard Haven waterfront to preserve the Gannon & Benjamin boatyard, with the longer-term plan to redevelop more of the Vineyard Haven waterfront.

Cole has been a resident of Martha’s Vineyard for over 30 years. In addition to owning and operating a large-scale electrical contracting firm, he has served as a board member for Martha’s Vineyard Youth Hockey, Town of Oak Bluffs Personnel, Sail MV, and as a director for Island Elderly Housing. Cole is also an instructor for the Upper Cape Regional Technical School, where he runs an adult education electrical apprentice program. Cole believes that “There are more than enough organizations on Martha’s Vineyard preserving and protecting the land and old buildings, but very few protecting what we all really love about the Vineyard—and that is the people and their Island way!”

Andrew met his wife June on Martha’s Vineyard 50 years ago and, after moving permanently to Tisbury in 1973, raised his three daughters here. In 1975 he started Andrew A. Flake, Inc., developing a reputation for building some of the finest homes on Martha’s Vineyard. A lifelong sailor, he cares deeply about the “working waterfront” in Vineyard Haven. Andrew has been a board member of the Tisbury Montessori School, volunteer of Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard, member on new Tisbury School building subcommittee, co-chair of the Vineyard Haven Public Library Building Committee, founder of the Martha’s Vineyard Builders Association, Trustee of the West Chop Trust, and active volunteer in Island youth sports programs. Andrew received his BS degree in Aviation Science from Northeastern University.

Marilyn Vukota has been a Martha’s Vineyard resident for 25 years. She is originally from Armonk, New York, and has been practicing law on the Island since 2002. Marilyn is a founding partner of McCarron, Murphy & Vukota LLP and has extensive experience representing charitable and religious organizations in real estate transactions, permitting, litigation, and applications for non-profit status. She has also served on the boards of the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival, the Boys & Girls Club, and the YMCA, and has volunteered as a youth lacrosse coach.

Phil has been returning to the Vineyard for more than 50 years. In 2016, he became a full-time resident, serving as Executive Director of the Martha’s Vineyard Museum in its transformation from an historical society and museum to an island-wide diverse and dynamic cultural center. His previous work in Pennsylvania in community economic development and environmental conservation, along with his current appointment as Chairman of Vineyard Haven Harbor Cultural District, inspire his vision for Vineyard Lands for our Community. Phil received his MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and an undergraduate degree from the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs.