WORKING TOGETHER
For Our Neighborhood
Who We Are
East Boston Main Streets is led by Executive Director Ethan Vogt and supported by a volunteer Board of Directors. As an organization we are committed to fostering an inclusive community that supports the growth and well-being of our small business community and the residents of East Boston.
We’re reshaping the East Boston landscape by:
Bringing the community together and promoting East Boston’s businesses through art and local events
Keeping the neighborhood beautiful through storefront renovations, signage improvements, and community clean-up events
Advocating for policies that support East Boston business owners, residents.
Providing technical assistance, workshops, and one-on-one support
Meet Our Board Members
Ida
Patricia
Joe
Dave
Alex
Michelle
David
David
Jeff
Ankit
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Jeff Thomas joined the EBMS board in 2017. An East Boston resident and dedicated public servant, Jeff works for the Boston Planning and Development Agency in the Planning Division. He previously worked in Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s office as an assistant for the Mayor where his work primarily focused on communications, event planning, and special projects
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Joe Ruggiero. Graduate of Savio Prep and Mount Ida college. Licensed funeral director and owner of Ruggiero Family Memorial Home. Member of the boston zoning board of appeals. Member of the NOAH board and Paris St Community Coucil Board. Lives in East Boston with his Wife Katie.
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is a Manager with Marcum LLP’s Assurance Services Group where she focuses on banks & financial institutions & more specifically Sarbanes Oxley & FDICIA reporting.
Michelle holds a Bachelor’s & Master’s degree in accounting from Siena College. Michelle is a licensed CPA in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Michelle has been an East Boston resident since 2020. She joined the board in early 2022 eager to improve the community she quickly grew to love! She currently serves as Treasurer of EBMS.
In her free time you will find her runnning the East Boston Stadium or eating tacos at La Hacienda.
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is the owner of Candreva Law Office. This Boston based law practice focuses on Domestic Relations and Criminal Defense. She is also a Guardian Ad Litem for Family Courts. She works on various aspects of Family Law, but has a particular passion representing victims of Domestic Violence. Being trilingual, Ida uses her language skills to communicate and represent clients of various cultures, in particular the Latino community. Prior to practicing law, Ida worked as a Police Officer, and was later promoted to Detective for the MBTA/Transit Police, and as Sergeant with the Emerson College Police Department
Ida received her Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies from Drexel University and a Juris Doctor from Massachusetts School of Law. Since 2015, she has been volunteering as a Board member for East Boston Main Streets.
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David A. Lank.
David A. Lank is the Principal of Arch House Companies, an East Boston–based developer and owner-operator focused on design-forward, character-driven multifamily and retail real estate. He is also the Founder and Executive Director of Starboard Institute, a nonprofit advancing public understanding of Boston Harbor’s history, climate, and identity through the lens of immigration, shipbuilding, infrastructure, and coastal resilience.
In addition to EBMS, David has served on Boards of Directors and Steering Committees for organizations including the Friends of the Mary Ellen Welch Greenway, East Boston Social Centers, NOAH Inc. CDC, Boch Center Metropolitans, United Way Project Connect, and Friends of the Charles River Esplanade.
David resides in East Boston with his wife, son and dog, and holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In his spare time, you can usually find David in Toasted Flats or playing music with his band, Lanky and the Fens.
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Patricia is an Experienced Manager at CrossCountry Consulting where she offers accounting advisory services to biotechnology companies. Patricia holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and is a licensed CPA in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. When she's not crunching numbers, Patricia is behind the lens, capturing the vibrant eats, drinks, and experiences around Boston. A proud East Boston resident since 2019, she recently joined the EBMS board to amplify community appreciation and visibility. As a member of the Digital and Social Committee on the board, Patricia is passionate about connecting and celebrating her neighborhood.
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Ankit joined the EBMS board in 2023 and has been an East Boston resident since 2017. Working at Google for almost 10 years, Ankit brings a valuable industry perspective from the tech sector. He now works as a Enterprise Sales Executive at Salesforce. Prior to working in tech, Ankit was an educator, teaching at Revere High School for 3 years. Ankit has a passion for non-profit work and is dedicated to supporting the Eastie community.
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Dave is an engaged East Boston resident and has served on the Board since 2024. He works as an independent Workday System Architect, following several years with IBM’s Consulting Services practice. With a passion for problem-solving, Dave enjoys helping businesses of all sizes address critical challenges, and he values opportunities to give back to the East Boston community and foster meaningful connections.
He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Management from Providence College and an MBA from Babson College, where he concentrated in Business Analytics and international consulting.
Outside of work, Dave enjoys spending time with family and being outdoors—especially fishing, hiking, and camping. What he values most about living in East Boston is its vibrant culture and close connection to the water.description
Executive Director
Executive Director
Ethan Vogt
Ethan Vogt joined East Boston Main Streets as Executive Director in 2025. A filmmaker by training and a community-builder at heart, Ethan has produced feature films, public art festivals and placemaking initiatives for over two decades. An East Boston resident since 2019, he founded Eastie dot Biz, a social media account to shares community news and events. He serves on the board of the Mary Ellen Welch Greenway and brings expertise in lighting design and commercial real estate. An enthusiastic student of the Spanish language, Ethan has lived and traveled extensively in Latin America. He is passionate about supporting small businesses and creating vibrant public spaces that reflect the neighborhood’s cultural riches.
EBMS COMMITTEES:
Design
The Design Committee works to enhance the physical environment of the district through beautification, public realm improvements, and preservation of historic and cultural assets. In East Boston, this includes addressing challenges such as lighting, greening, and maintenance while reinforcing neighborhood identity through projects like facade improvements, signage, and streetscape enhancements.
Promotion
The Promotion Committee builds awareness and drives foot traffic by marketing the district, supporting local businesses, and producing campaigns that showcase East Boston’s culture and energy. Our work responds to the need for greater visibility and coordination across businesses, using events, festivals, and storytelling to attract both residents and visitors.
Economic Vitality
The Economic Vitality Committee focuses on strengthening the local business environment by supporting entrepreneurs, identifying market opportunities, and fostering a resilient and diverse commercial mix. In East Boston, this includes addressing challenges around access, changing market conditions, and the evolving food economy while helping businesses grow and adapt.
Organization
The Organization Committee strengthens EBMS’s internal capacity by supporting governance, fundraising, partnerships, and overall program management. This work ensures the organization has the structure and resources needed to address local challenges and sustain long-term revitalization efforts in a rapidly changing neighborhood.