Our team.
Peter Gertler, Chair
Peter is a swimmer , and occasional runner at the South End Rowing Club. Appointed to the Board in early 2024, he served as Interim Secretary and elected Chair in 2024. A San Francisco native, he is passionate about preserving the history and culture of the Club, and as Chair will be focused on building an organization and raising funds to sustain and enhance the Club for future generations.
Peter has over 40 years of professional experience delivering transportation infrastructure solutions around the globe. He has been a founder, volunteer and board member of other Bay Area non-profits.
Susan Blew, Treasurer
Susan is a swimmer at the South End Rowing Club. She served for four-and-a-half years on the board of SERC as the treasurer for the club, assuring successful completion funding of the 2017 addition and thereafter rebuilding of the club’s savings.
She has over forty years of executive management experience in technology and has served on many technology and non-profit boards.
Susan is a founding member of the 1873 Fund, believing for many years that the Club brings historic relevance to San Francisco through its programs and sports.
Fran Hegeler, Secretary
Fran was appointed to the 1873 Board by the South End Rowing Club. Swimmer, occasional runner and rower, she is seasoned advocate for the club. Fran has served as president, vice president, and swim commissioner of the club and is eager to work with donors so that the Fund can support the club’s most pressing needs.
Jeff Gunderson, Member
Jeff joined the South End Rowing Club in 1981, and raced with Pat Cuneen, and Russ Kiernan. He swam with George Farnsworth, Father Charles Dullea, Joan Brown and Bob Roper. He even rowed the Lawley with Leroy Lawson (after all: it is the South End ROWING Club). Jeff has always been very proud of his participation in the now defunct, “Run, Jump, Swim” event. He now swims and walks. He joined the Board in early 2025.
Jeff was a longtime librarian at the San Francisco Art Institute (1981-2022) and is now an archivist with the San Francisco Art Institute Legacy Foundation +Archive. He also has written and lectured on the history of California art and photo history. He has also served on the College of Marin Facilities Oversight Board and is currently serving on the Larkspur Library Board
Dan Needham
Dan has been a South End Rowing Club member since 1996. He is a former Swim Commissioner. Former Board Member at Large. Pilot. Donor to building fund (Cook Shack / Day Room). Swimmer, ERG owner, multiple rowing intro class attendee, and currently training for runs and ultras.
Career Background:
Engineer, executive, educator, and entrepreneur. Executive or management roles at Hewlett Packard, Agilent Technologies, TriAccess Technologies, Brevidia, Earle Baum Center, and International Meritage Group. Also taught at Santa Rosa Junior College (Engineering) and Golden Gate University (Communications).
Non-Profit Background:
Served on boards of directors at Actors Theatre, South End Rowing Club, Rotary Club of Sebastopol Sunrise, Rotary Club of Sebastopol Sunrise Community Foundation, Earle Baum Center, and Sebastopol Optimist Club.
He is also currently on the board of advisors for the Green Music Center.
