Staff Bios
Bob Gentile - Executive Director
Bob Gentile was born and raised in Massachusetts and yes, he still "Paks his caa in Havad Yad", and is proud of it. Prior to camp life he was and still is, an accomplished musician with a Composition Degree from Berklee College of Music in Boston. From 1977 to 1991 Bob owned two music stores, managed 18 teachers and over 300 students. He taught private music lessons and played the bass in a variety of bands throughout the United States. You can still see him perform in clubs throughout New York and Connecticut.
Bob was introduced to the camping industry when he married his lovely and talented wife Wendy, and was asked to serve on the board on directors of Mt. Tremper Outdoor Ministries, Inc., at Camp Herrlich in 1985. He served on MTOM board from 1985 to 1991 when he became the Executive Director of Camp Herrlich. While running and living on Camp Herrlich, Bob and Wendy raised 4 wonderful children, Nicole, Alicia, Michelle and Greg.
Under Bob?s direction, the number of children participating in Camp Herrlich?s programs has more than tripled. Our operating budget has more than doubled and our scholarship funds given to disadvantaged, at-risk children continue to increase annually. I guess you can say Camp is a way of life for both Bob & Wendy.
Contact Bob: bgentile@campherrlich.org, 845-878-6662 x.300
Dean Stichbury - Camp Director
Dean first came to Camp Wilbur Herrlich in 1993 through CCUSA?s International J1 exchange program and has been associated with the camp ever since.
Dean is originally from New Zealand and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Canterbury University in Political Science and Social Policy. He has experienced just about every job on camp including that of resident counselor, lifeguard, kitchen staff and environmental educator.
Dean is currently Camp Herrlich?s Camp Director and also serves as the Camp?s challenge course and team building specialist.
Contact Dean: dstichbury@campherrlich.org, 845-878-6662 x. 302
Jessica Vanacoro - Program Director
Jessica Vanacoro grew up in Suffolk County, Long Island where she was very involved in music, dance, theatre, education, and community service. She followed in a family tradition and got her BA from Manhattanville College with a major in Psychology and double minor in World Religions and Theatre.
After deciding that Psychology was a bit too abstract for her, she spoke to a family friend who convinced her that Social Work was the way to go. She took his advice and received her Masters in Social Work from SUNY Stony Brook in 2004 and received her license the week before she left on her honeymoon. She worked both her internships for her Masters Degree in and around the school districts on Long Island giving her experience both in counseling and after school programming.
Jessica worked for two summers as a director, (musical and acting,) at a theatre camp in Oakdale, Long Island and brings her strong background in the arts and her experience working with children of all ages to Camp Herrlich.