Jay T. Willerup, A.I.A.
In 2001, Jay and his family hiked up to the Heublein Tower. Being a native of Avon and a current resident of Simsbury, the Heublein Tower has always been a touchstone representing home. On this particular hike he had his small children, who were looking at it with new eyes. As he reached the guest book he signed his name and profession, architect. That seemingly simple action set him off on the great adventure to today. As the current President of The Friends of Heublein Tower, Jay is proud of the things the board has accomplished towards the goal to restore the Tower back to the grandeur of its earlier days.
The global community spirit is most evident at the Tower where between 100K and 130K people, from from 48 states and 44 countries, hike the park in a typical year.
Jay is also currently on the Board of Directors for the Friends of Connecticut State Parks, where he serves to gather the knowledge from one Friends group and share it with another, all for the betterment of Friends of State Parks throughout Connecticut.
One of his greatest joys is knowing that the Tower is still relevant today, as his three daughters enjoy hiking up to the tower with their friends just like he and his wife did in their youth with their friends.
During the Times Tower era, Jay’s father was hired to play piano for guests at the many parties there. Little did he know nearly 50 years later his involvement would be what it is today.
As Jay looks to the future, the board continues to grow in strength and dedication. “We are fortunate to have a board that is dynamic and committed to making the tower experience the best it can be today and looks forward to expanding that experience in the future. Come to the tower to see what we do, how we do it and why we do it. We do it for you and with your generous support!”
Interesting fact: Jay loves winter. He floods the front lawn to make a skating rink and with the right snow an igloo. He also makes delicious "Rink Side Maple Syrup" for his friends and family.
William T. Case
William T. Case is a partner in the Avon law firm of Case & Case, P.C where he practices commercial transactional law with his father Richard. Bill has been a member of the Friends of Heublein Tower Board since 2011. Having grown up in Simsbury where he regularly hiked the Talcott Mountain Trails to the Heublein Tower, he has fond memories of scaling the rocks and making it to the crest of the hill to find the majestic Tower locked and boarded up. Now, thanks to the decades of hard work and perseverance by the Friends, the Tower is being restored and enhanced and Bill is honored to be a part of this hard working and dedicated Board. Bill has spear headed the successful Hike to the Mic – Music and Art Happenings at the Tower and looks forward to the next phase of the Tower’s restoration and improvements.
When not at his desk, Bill enjoys cooking, fly fishing the Farmington, cheering on his two great kids at whatever they are doing and spending time with his beautiful wife Tria.
Interesting Fact: While a student at Union College, Bill spent a semester in Barbados and had the good fortune of being hosted by the owners of Mount Gay Rum known by the locals as “Daddy’s Farm.”
Aaron Bohigian
Aaron Bohigian is a Vice President of Commercial Lending at Northwest Community Bank in Simsbury, CT and has over 18 years’ experience working in Commercial Banking. Aaron joined the Friends of Heublein Tower board in the fall of 2024 and was voted in as their Treasurer starting in 2025. Aaron is a Connecticut native and has repeatedly enjoyed hiking and mountain biking the West Hartford/Avon reservoirs and hiking to the Tower. He has a deep desire to assist the Tower in continuing its mission of encouraging the public to visit Connecticut Parks, staying active, and having people engage history through the tangible assets the State of CT has to offer such as the Heublein Tower.
Bohigian has served in a variety of community/civic organizations in addition to the Tower, most recently as a prior board member for the Community Economic Development Fund, Meriden, CT and former Treasurer and Board Member of Knox Inc, Hartford, CT.
When not working with local businesses, Aaron enjoys RVing with his wife Renee and three children, riding his John Deere Tractor, running, and mountain biking.
Interesting Fact: Aaron loves wine and was able to travel to his family’s country of Germany to visit the oldest Riesling Vineyard in the world, Schloss Johannisberg, where they planted their first grapes in 817 AD.
Pam Simmons
Pam and her family moved to Simsbury from Boise Idaho back in 2001. She researched the town online and decided it was the perfect place to raise her daughter. Born and raised in Saratoga New York, she has lived all over the country (Palm Beach Florida, Boston Massachusetts, Atlanta Georgia, Melbourne Florida, and Boise Idaho).
In 2004 she moved into a home across the river from Rosedale Farms, and can see the tower in the winter from her front yard. She is a PMO Manager at GlassHouse Systems and is lucky enough to work from her home office.
As organization is one of her key skills, she volunteered to run the Central School Playground rebuild committee (2006-2007). In 10 months the “small but mighty” committee raised 100K, and with parent and community volunteers, tore down the old and put in a totally new playground environment in time for the start of the school year. The look on the faces of the students made all that hard work totally worthwhile. Meeting and working with Jay and Tara Willerup on this committee was one of the highlights of that opportunity!
Interesting Fact: Pam was a Girl Scout leader from her daughter’s K-12 grades and also ran the Simsbury Service Unit for Girl Scouts of CT for 4 years.
Darrell Cookman
Cookie currently teaches project-based learning at the Renzulli Gifted and Talented Academy in Hartford. When he is not working, you might see him on an area stage, pretending to be someone else.
Interesting Fact: One of Cookie’s prized possessions is a 2000 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship ring. While working on his graduate degree at UConn, he served as a media relations intern for the team the year that UConn beat Tennessee for the title. Go Huskies!
Elizabeth (Liz) Harrington
Elizabeth Harrington grew up in Avon, CT, exploring the trails around Heublein Tower in her backyard, and now lives in Simsbury with her husband, Todd, where they raised their twin children. She continues to hike the mountain year-round and is dedicated to preserving its beauty and history.
A lifelong art enthusiast, Elizabeth studied art in college and has always looked for ways to bring creativity into the community. She served on Simsbury’s Cultural Enrichment Board while her children were in school, supporting arts and educational programming throughout the district.
As Volunteer Coordinator and Gift Shop Manager for the Friends of Heublein Tower, she enjoys meeting visitors from around the world and sharing the Tower’s story. She loves traveling, skiing in Europe and the western U.S., hiking, swimming, fitness, and spending sunny winter days in Florida when she can.
Interesting Fact: Elizabeth spent nearly every winter weekend skiing at Stowe when it was still a rugged old mountain, and summers waterskiing at the nearby lake. One of her first high school jobs was working the Stowe Alpine Slide—a favorite summer thrill of the time.
Kyle Surprenant
Kyle is a lifelong resident of Connecticut and grew up in the northeastern part of the state. He first came across Heublein Tower while hiking the New England Scenic Trail and became interested in its history. Kyle volunteered at Hike to the Mic a few months later and now serves on the board.
Kyle works for an environmental organization and enjoys hiking New England Trails, biking through towns and cities, watching Chelsea FC, and of course spending time with his lovely girlfriend Genevieve.
Interesting Fact: Kyle has completed the Connecticut section of the New England Scenic Trail hiking from the Long Island Sound to the MA/CT border.
Martha Hickey
Martha's family moved to Bloomfield from Hartford when she was 6 months old. When she was up and walking her dad would bring her and her 3 siblings to hike up to The Tower. When she was 8 years old her dad’s friend was actually the caregiver of The Tower and had the key! So, between her family and his friend there were 9 crazy kids running up and down those 120 steps!
Martha worked in corporate America for 20-odd years in human resources, starting at the Travelers, moving on to CIGNA and eventually at Fidelity Investments when she moved to Boston. She returned to Bloomfield in 2005 when she moved to Simsbury and she and her sister opened Doggie in the Window in Simsbury. Every evening while driving home she would gaze up to see The Tower as the sun set. The Tower has been a big part of her life.
Interesting Fact: After completing her core courses at St. Joseph's University, she transferred to CCSU where she met a woman in Calculus (not her best subject!). Her new friend convinced her to get a passport and Eurail pass and together they ventured off to Europe where they traveled through 10 counties for 2 months. They stayed at youth hostels, B&B's, slept on the train, crashed at family friend’s homes and yes, the occasional park bench. An adventure of a lifetime!
Genevieve Brewer
Genevieve grew up in West Hartford and has hiked Heublein Tower often with friends and family over the years.
She works at the Yale School of Management in Development and Alumni Relations. In her spare time, she enjoys running, reading, playing golf, and spending time outdoors with her fiancé Kyle.
Interesting Fact: Genevieve studied abroad in Aix-en-Provence, France, for four months in college and lived with a host family.
Cameron Paul
A Simsbury resident for the majority of his life Cameron grew up not far from the base of Heublien tower. Over the years, school and life have taken him to several parts of the Northeast but the enjoyment of having grown up in the Farmington valley brought he and his wife Laura back to Simsbury where they have resided with their three kids for more than a decade.
The tower has always been a staple in creating lasting memories from beautiful seasonal hikes to enjoying the unparalleled view of the town they call home.
Cameron has been a long time employee of the Travelers where he continuously looks for opportunities to get involved with the community. Fortunate friendships led him to join the Friends of Heublein Tower Board whose benevolent mission around preserving and promoting the enjoyment of an area icon that brings travelers from far and wide is a great privilege.
Interesting Fact: Canoed the Connecticut river from Southern Vermont to Connecticut over the course of a few days as support for a team of runners taking the land route. While tested by weather the trip afforded seeing parts of the crossed states from a lesser seen lens and the experience of portaging multiple hydro-electric dams.
Jon Vosburgh
Born and raised in Simsbury, I have frequently hiked to the tower with family and friends since the early 1970’s. I have been mountain biking on the mountain since 1980. I have always been impressed by the Tower and its unique architecture. It is unlike any structure in this area. I cherish it as a majestic landmark and enjoy how it can be seen from tens of miles away, so I have always known what direction home is. I am still humbled by the scale of the tower when standing at its front door and just looking up.
After so many years of the tower being closed, I was very happy to see that it had re-opened and wondered how it was able to open again. I only learned about the friends of Heublein tower less than a year ago. Now I know who is largely responsible and I am very grateful for the Friends of Heublien Tower. I am flattered to be asked to join the board. As a homebuilder in this area for the last 30 years, I look forward to sharing the resources and expertise I can contribute to keep our towers legacy alive.
Gayle Gagliardo
Gayle grew up in Farmington and has fond childhood memories of hiking to the Tower with her dad & sister. “The Tower has always seemed like a magical place to me and like so many of us when flying into Bradley from the west seeing the Tower below…we know we’re home.”
Gayle has a degree from the UConn Social of Social Work in Administration & Group Work and spent most of her career managing numerous behavioral health care programs in CT. In 2019, she retired from her position as the Hartford area Director of Provider Services after over 25 years working for the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
Several years ago when she moved to the Weatogue section of Simsbury she felt fortunate to view the Tower every day from her back deck and still does. Over the years, she became curious to learn more about its history which lead to many interesting hours of research, hikes along the Talcott Mountain ridge-line trails, and over the past few years volunteering with the Friends of Heublein Tower.
Now that she’s retired, she is able to play a more active role at the Tower Gift Shop. “I just love being up at the Tower and now I get to join others who feel the same. It’s great to be part of the Tower Board and a group so dedicated to preserving the Tower’s legacy and history for all to enjoy.”
Interesting facts: Gayle is an avid outdoor enthusiast, hiker and biker. In the warmer months she leads a weekly group that enjoys riding and exploring different sections of the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail. She has hiked in Europe, New Zealand, and in the Western US. Gayle has walked the length of the the Metacomet trail in CT and is a ‘few peaks short of’ completing all of New Hampshire’s 48, 4000 foot peaks (but who’s counting…)Brian Freeman
Brian grew up in Avon and returned in 2013 with his wife to raise their two daughters, Julia and Holly. Although he was raised in a family that wasn't particularly into hiking, Brian developed a passion for outdoor activities, especially hiking, biking, and kayaking. His daughters share his love for adventure and have hiked up to the Heublein Tower many times, noting how the experience changes with each season. Brian has volunteered at the Tower Toot every year for the past decade and officially joined the Board of Directors in 2026. He is very proud to be part of the organization.
Professionally, Brian has spent the last 25 years in Healthcare IT, working as a consultant, project manager, director of implementation services, and account executive, with a focus on care management system implementations.
Interesting Fact: Brian is an avid biker, logging between 4,000 and 6,000 miles annually. He currently maintains a fleet of five bicycles.