Meet the Team

Michael Capizola
Executive Committee Chair/Cleanup Coordinator

Michael has been a part of Surfrider's South Jersey Chapter since 2023. He first became involved with the foundation after reaching out to organize the construction of an Ocean Friendly Garden at Ventnor Middle School, where he teaches science. He is also the head of the school's Green Team and serves as the district representative for the Ventnor City Green Team.

As head of the school's Green Team, Michael plans monthly beach cleanups and has created districtwide green initiatives including a program encouraging students to use reusable water bottles, a printer ink and office supply recycling program, and a save-for-snack food conservation program. Additionally, he plans several other school activities including the district's Earth Week celebration and tree plantings.

As the South Jersey chapter's Chair and Beach Cleanup Coordinator, Michael is excited to plan activities to get more students and families involved in helping the natural world we all share and reduce the amount of waste in our Oceans.

Bill Stuempfig
Executive Committee Vice Chair/OFG Coordinator

Bill has spent all his life on the water, surfing at age 10, captain at 20, sailing, diving, fishing, paddling. He has been an active volunteer at South Jersey Surfrider for over 20 years. His life has been dedicated to teaching others to appreciate and protect our oceans and bays. Through the use of rain barrels and community gardens, Bill supports the Ocean Friendly Gardens program to reduce run-off and conserve water. BIll and his wife Carol have built and installed 100 rain barrels in South Jersey. They have also installed 90 monofilament recycling containers. The Rise Above Plastic program was instrumental in the campaign to eliminate single use plastic bags. A BIG WIN! Love the ocean, treat her like your best friend.

Margo Pellegrino
Executive Committee Treasurer

Margo has been a member of Surfrider Foundation for over 20 years and a lover of the outdoors since she could form a thought. She grew up spending summers by the ocean and remembers many adventures and misadventures with her late father in the back bays, getting stuck on sandbars in small rented skiffs, building sand castles on the beach and being tumbled by waves. Margo believes fully in Surfrider’s mission to “protect and enjoy the world’s beaches, ocean, and waves.” Her activism has enabled her to enjoy and experience the nation’s coasts, as well as to meet amazing people all over who enjoy and protect their special places. She hopes to share that awe and love for our ocean, and through Surfrider Foundation’s campaigns and programs, motivate others to care for our watery world.