the Friends of OCNJ

Sne, a coastal South Jersey native, grew up in an Edwardian home in Ventnor’s historic St. Leonard’s Tract. A registered architect, Sne has practiced in Washington, DC, Colorado, and New York City, where he lived for 20 years. Throughout his career, he stayed closely connected to his love of Mid-Atlantic beach-and-porch culture, frequently returning to his childhood home, which was sadly recently demolished by out-of-town developers.

In June 2020, Sne became the latest in a 125-year tradition of innkeepers at the Scarborough Inn in Ocean City. In 2021, he led a major renovation designed to meet the needs of contemporary travelers while preserving the inn’s historic charm and its deep ties  to the city’s storied past.

Sne views the inn—especially its iconic wraparound porch—as a community gathering place where guests and neighbors can come together. He also leverages the inn’s status as Ocean City’s oldest hotel to spark interest in the town’s architectural history, blending his passion for design with a deep respect for local heritage. It serves as a frequent meeting point for Friends of OCNJ Board members and community.

Richard has spent his summers in Ocean City for as long as he can remember—in fact, since he was born! His grandparents owned a home on Corinthian Avenue that remains in the family, and in 1974, his parents purchased a house on East Atlantic for their five children.

In 2020, Richard and his wife, Wendy, purchased 608 Wesley, where they enjoy life in the Historic District with their four children. After moving in, he launched the Facebook page “Ocean City Old Home Lovers,” connecting with others who appreciate the island’s architectural charm.

Richard Barth is the President of the Robertson Foundation (RF), which invests in medical research, environmental work, and education to improve human well-being. Prior to joining RF in 2022, Richard served as CEO of KIPP for 17 years, overseeing its expansion from 35 to 270 public charter schools, growing the student body from 7,000 to 113,000, and increasing alumni from 200 to 40,000.

Marie and her husband, Rich, relocated to Ocean City in 2021 and restored a craftsman cottage on Pelham Avenue with care and authenticity. They also transformed a narrow, two-yard-wide strip of land across the street—an unusual quirk of local zoning—into a vibrant pocket garden, showcasing Marie’s eye for design and sense of place.

With a background in education and real estate valuation, she understands how people form connections to the homes, streets, and neighborhoods that define community life. Her longstanding volunteer commitments—including Friends School, WarmUp, and Plant Ambler—reflect her dedication to stewardship and civic engagement.

Before moving to Ocean City full-time, Marie managed a home farm and raised and bred poultry. She frequently led workshops at schools, stores, and houses of worship on sustainability, organic gardening, and the role of poultry within biodynamic systems. Her ability to translate hands-on knowledge into accessible public programming aligns closely with the mission of Friends.

Guided by her belief that “old houses each have a story worth preserving,” Marie brings thoughtful, future-minded energy to the preservation work of Friends of OCNJ History & Culture.

Nancy moved to Ocean City in 1982 to work at The Flanders Hotel, and lived in the Larchmont dormitory. After three summers, she settled on 11th Street, where she has lived ever since. Her home, the Audra JoJean, was built in 1926, and has been restored through more than 40 years of ongoing work. It’s a culmination of a lifelong love of historic homes, which she has lived in throughout her life.

Nancy is deeply committed to preserving Ocean City’s heritage as a Christian seaside resort and its distinctive cottage architecture. She is committed to raising awareness of the island’s unique and historic character, helping others preserve their older homes, and encouraging appreciation for what lies between the ocean and the bay.

Over the years, she has served as Wedding Coordinator and Social Director at The Flanders, owned a downtown bookstore, worked in the Tabernacle office, and is a substitute teacher at Ocean City High School. For 25 years, she has also run a tuxedo rental business, At Your Service Formalwear. In her free time, she enjoys curb gardening, a nod to her farming roots in Western Pennsylvania.

Bill is a retired tech company CEO who has a lifelong passion for old homes and historic preservation. Along with his wife Karen, over the years, he has restored more than a dozen properties.

His connection to Ocean City began in the 1970s through frequent day trips and vacations, culminating in a beach wedding.

Since retiring in 2021, he lives on the island half the year. He is actively involved in preserving Ocean City's cultural heritage and working to raise awareness and appreciation for the town’s older homes and buildings. He is dedicated to ensuring the island’s unique character and history endure for future generations.

Maryann is a lifelong admirer of Ocean City’s historic homes, beginning with her family’s bungalow on 14th Street—purchased by her parents in 1972 for what now feels like an astonishing $17,000. The home, which she now owns, still stands.

A third-generation “Ocean City-ite,” Maryann’s grandparents (Mazzeo) owned a restaurant and market on Asbury Avenue in the 1920s and 1930s, while her parents (Pionegro) were active in the community from the 1950s until their passing in 2008 and 2010.

Her love of the island and its history led her to serve on the Ocean City Historic Preservation Commission and the Ocean City Arts Center Board. She is proud that the Ocean City Arts Center logo she designed in the early 1990s remains in use today.

Rooted in decades of memories—from photographing historic buildings as a teenager to her family’s connections to local businesses—Maryann is enthusiastic about preserving Ocean City’s cherished history and encouraging future generations to value and protect it.

Alan Richter is a retired Associate Vice President of Statistics and Quantitative Sciences at a major pharmaceutical company and a lifelong visitor to Ocean City. His family’s ties  to the island date back to 1911, when his great-grandparents purchased a home on Wesley Avenue.

That home was demolished in the early 1990s to make way for a duplex—a loss that ignited Alan’s passion for preserving Ocean City’s historic homes. Now a full-time resident, he is committed to protecting the island’s architectural heritage so that future generations can enjoy its history and charm.

As a permanent resident of Ocean City, Sandra views the town’s historic buildings as living testaments to the perseverance and community spirit that have shaped it. Walking through its streets reveals a tapestry of stories—from Victorian-era homes to old hotels and charming boardwalk shops—all contributing to the town’s distinctive character.

She finds inspiration in the intricate details, craftsmanship, and unique character of historic homes and buildings—each a window into the past. From ornate Victorian homes in Ocean City’s historic district to Art Deco skyscrapers in major cities and the simplicity of mid-century modern residences, she believes every style tells a story of human creativity, innovation, and cultural heritage.

“Preserving these buildings is vital to maintaining the town’s essence, character, and historical continuity,” she says. Her commitment to safeguarding Ocean City’s cultural heritage reflects her desire to enrich the present while honoring the past.

Sandra is a VP staffing executive with more than 28 years of experience in the insurance and healthcare industries, and is a licensed insurance producer.