Tommy Leonard
Race Founder
Tommy Leonard was an honorary member of the board of directors. The founder of the race, Tommy was its most ardent and enthusiastic supporter. He dreamed and conceived of the race after watching the 1972 Olympic marathon, the last time that an American citizen, Frank Shorter, won the men’s marathon in an Olympic Game. An enthusiastic runner most of his life, he dreamed that someday he would see the Olympic champion run and win in Falmouth. With his unflinching persistence, calling on friends and connections in the fledgling running community, he charmed Shorter into coming to Falmouth for the first time in 1975 and the rest is history. Tommy’s dream not only became a reality, but the success and popularity of the race has far surpassed anything that he ever envisioned. Tommy became a legend in his own right in the running community and beyond: his biography was written a few years ago and Runners’ World magazine ran a feature article on his life in the August, 2011 issue. Tommy’s enthusiasm and support for the race was unmatched. The race was deeply saddened by the news of Tommy’s passing in January, 2019. We will continue to honor his enduring legacy. Tommy, we thank you and love you!
Scott Ghelfi
President
Scott Ghelfi joined the Falmouth Road Race, Inc. board of Directors in June of 2010 and served as the president from 2012-2017 and 2020-present. A lifelong resident of Falmouth and frequent competitor in the Falmouth Road Race, Scott and his wife, Wendy, are owners of Ghelfi’s Candies and Ice Cream (in Falmouth and Mashpee) and Caline for Kids in Falmouth. Scott was a member of the Falmouth High School cross country and track teams. He captained the teams his senior year during which they won State titles all three seasons. Scott is a 1985 graduate of the University of New Hampshire where he competed in cross country and track. He stays competitive by playing tennis, golfing and running. He is also very involved with the Falmouth Recreation Committee and as a longtime coach with Falmouth Youth Hockey. Scott and Wendy have two children, Durham and Hannah.
Robert V. Antonucci
Vice President
Bob Antonucci, a lifelong educator widely recognized for his expertise in all facets of public education, is president emeritus of Fitchburg State University. During his twelve years at Fitchburg State –2003 to 2015– the Fitchburg State graduate and former State Commissioner of Education enhanced his reputation for leadership and innovation. In addition to fulfilling his duties on campus, he was a tireless community advocate and spokesperson for public schools and colleges, serving on local, regional, and national boards, meeting with officials at all levels of government.
As Education Commissioner in the 1990’s, Antonucci played a key role in the passage and enactment of the state’s historic Education Reform Act of 1993, a landmark law now seen as a national model. Antonucci was for 12 years, superintendent of schools in Falmouth, and a former member of the NCAA Division III Presidents Council. He is an elected Town Meeting Member in Falmouth, a board member of the Falmouth Service Center, and a Corporator of Martha’s Vineyard Bank. Antonucci holds two degrees from Fitchburg State University and holds a Doctorate in Education from Boston University.
Jeffrey Cutter
Treasurer
Jeff Cutter has been a board member since 2012 and is the founder and president of Cutter Financial Group, LLC, which has offices in Falmouth and Mansfield. Prior to opening and growing his own business, Mr. Cutter worked with the prestigious KPMG Peat Marwick as a certified public accountant. He is a graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy with an MBA and MS in accounting from Northeastern University.
Donna M. Tocci
Clerk
Donna Tocci has over 35 years’ experience as a communications professional. She’s a strategic communications, branding, and digital leader with a proven track record of success with billion-dollar companies and global brands such as Ingersoll Rand, Utica National Insurance Group, Kryptonite, Aflac, Digitas, and Schlage. Currently, Donna leads global internal communications for ATPCO, the foundation for modern airline retailing. She’s also worked at non-profits including The Trustees of Reservations, the nation’s oldest preservation and conservation organization, and the Boston Athletic Association. She’s been a 30-year volunteer for the road race, mostly in the media relations area, and as a member of the board of directors.
Julene Augusta
Treasurer
Julene Augusta joined the board of directors in February 2020. A lifelong Falmouth resident, Julene is an owner and Vice President of Falmouth Lumber, Inc. Julene has served as a Falmouth Town Meeting member, chairman of the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce board of directors, and has participated in the Falmouth Road Race.
Carl F. Cavossa, Jr.
Board Member
Carl Cavossa is the founder and president of Cavossa Excavation, Disposal and Safety Transportation of Falmouth. As the organization’s former Vice President, he was an active member of several committees.
Carl is a former chairman of the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce board of directors, serves on the board of the Police Athletic League and is a past member of the Falmouth Education Foundation. In 2018, he was the recipient of Falmouth’s Citizen of the Year award. Carl and his wife, Kristen, have four children and live in East Falmouth.
Jason Cullinane
Board Member
Jason Cullinane joined the Falmouth Road Race, Inc. board of directors in December of 2022. He comes from a family of runners who moved to Falmouth on the eve of the 1980 edition of the FRR. He attended Falmouth High School where he was part of the 1985 Massachusetts All State Cross Country Champions, and later served as captain of the team. Jason is a 1993 graduate of Fitchburg State University where he was a 4-time NCAA All-American in track & field. After graduating Jason served as an officer in the U.S. Army, where he deployed to Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Jason competed for the Army where he qualified for the 1996 Olympic trials in track & field, and later placed 9th in the U.S. in 1998 for the 3000m Steeplechase. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, attended the U.S. Army War College, worked at The Pentagon, and retired to Falmouth with over 20 years of active federal service. He is an elected Town Meeting Member in Falmouth, sits on the Finance Committee, and is a board member of FalmouthNet. He also is the cross country coach at Falmouth Academy and still runs to stay fit. He currently lives in West Falmouth with his wife Yuki, and daughters, Niamh and Mayumi.
Travis Watson
Board Member
Travis Watson works to create a more racially equitable construction industry. As Director of Racial Equity and Community Engagement at Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation (MHIC), he is responsible for ensuring that MHIC-financed projects maximize the participation of Black and brown-owned businesses and Black and brown workers. Additionally, Travis serves as a commissioner on the Boston Employment Commission, which oversees Boston’s jobs policy for city-assisted construction projects. He is also a board member of YouthBuild Boston and the Workforce Opportunity Resource Center.
Travis grew up in Falmouth, was a competitive sprinter at FHS, and spent many summers volunteering and working for FRR. He graduated with high honors from Brandeis University with a B.A. in African and African American studies.