Editor’s note: Newsmakers is a regular feature spotlighting accomplishments of Newton community members, businesses and organizations. Have an announcement you’d like to include? Email editor@newtonbeacon.org.
Metropolitan Waterworks Museum names new director
Kevin T. Carlon has joined the Metropolitan Waterworks Museum in Chestnut Hill as its new executive director, bringing more than three decades of experience across the arts, sports, entertainment, hospitality and tourism industries.
Carlon served as the founding managing director of Boston’s Outside the Box Festival, a multi-arts festival that presented 3,000 artists over a 10-day span and attracted 650,000 attendees, generating an estimated economic impact of $64 million for the city. He has also held leadership positions with the Gaillard Center in Charleston, S.C., the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts (the historic site of the 1969 Woodstock Festival) in Upstate New York, the Colorado Rockies Baseball Club and U.S. Olympic Governing Bodies for Equestrian and Table Tennis. And he served as a professor in the Center for Sports, Event, and Entertainment Management in the Hospitality College at Johnson & Wales University.
A native of Berkshire County, Carlon holds a Master of Science in Sport Management from the University of Massachusetts and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Tufts University.
“We’re delighted to bring Kevin’s leadership to the Museum,” Board President Martin Perlmutter said. “His deep experience in the cultural and hospitality sectors positions him perfectly to expand our outreach, deepen community partnerships, and enhance the visitor experience.”
Healey Appoints Auburndale attorney to the Children’s Trust Board of Directors
Gov. Maura Healey has appointed Newton attorney Audrey Mark to the Board of Directors of The Children’s Trust, a public-private organization aimed at preventing child abuse and neglect in Massachusetts.
“Preventing child abuse and neglect is complex and requires innovative thinking from leaders who bring diverse perspectives and experiences,” said Jennifer Valenzuela, executive director of the Children’s Trust
Mark specializes in child abuse cases and, before opening her private practice in Auburndale, she served as the chief of the Child Protection Unit at the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
“After many years of prosecuting crimes committed against children and seeing the devastating impact of abuse on child victims, I am excited to now join an organization that works to prevent its occurrence,” Mark said.
Mark holds a Juris Doctorate from Boston University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University.
Newton North High School. Photo by Bryan McGonigle
Newton North student is 2026 YoungArts award winner
Minjun Sean Choi, an 11th grade student at Newton North High School, has been selected as a 2026 YoungArts Award Winner with Distinction in Design. Choi joins hundreds of the nation’s most accomplished young visual, literary and performing artists from across the United States.
Choi is an emerging architectural designer whose work explores emotion, environmental memory and organic structures. His latest piece, Whale Pavilion: Endangered Love (2025), crafted from rattan and dried flowers, is inspired by the gentle motion of a whale’s tail rising above the ocean—symbolizing strength, grace and quiet resilience.
YoungArts winners are selected through a rigorous adjudication process by panels of distinguished artists. Winners gain access to mentorship, professional development, microgrants and a lifelong national network of creatives. Choi will participate in National YoungArts Week in Miami in January 2026, where he will attend master classes, share his work, and be considered for additional awards of up to $10,000.
James Chatterton, CPA. Courtesy photo
West Suburban YMCA gets new CFO
James Chatterton, CPA, has been named chief financial officer of the West Suburban YMCA.
Chatterton will oversee all aspects of the YMCA’s financial operations, including budgeting, accounting, investments, cash management, auditing and long-term financial strategy. His leadership will help ensure the West Suburban YMCA remains strong, sustainable and positioned for continued growth in service to the community.
Chatterton brings more than 25 years of financial leadership experience in the nonprofit and higher education sectors.
“Jim’s depth of expertise, steady leadership and values-driven approach make him an exceptional fit for the West Suburban YMCA,” President and CEO Jack Fucci said. “He understands what it means to steward resources responsibly while keeping our mission at the center of every decision. We’re thrilled to welcome him to our leadership team.”
Chatterton has degrees from both Cornell University and Bentley University. He’s also a basketball player who played in YMCA-sponsored leagues for many years before playing varsity basketball.
