We are thrilled to spotlight the incredible work of the East Hampton Village Foundation!
Over the past few years, we have captured the East Hampton Village Foundation's (EHVF) community-focused events, including the festive Santa Fest. EHVF doesn’t just bring us behind the camera—it gets us out on the course! The May Day 5K is one of our favorite spring traditions, and East 27 Creative Co-Owners John Devaney and Jennifer Heffner have loved running this fantastic event, surrounded by the vibrant energy of East Hampton Village.
Another highlight of the Foundation’s work is Tuesdays at Main Beach. These summer evenings, filled with fantastic live music, are a treasured escape for us during the busy summer photography season. It’s where John and Jenn find time to relax with friends and family, soaking in the atmosphere between the many photography shoots that keep them busy all summer long.
We were delighted to engage in a rare and inspiring interview with Bradford Billet, a distinguished New York public service veteran and the visionary Chairman & CEO of East Hampton Village Foundation. Brad shared insights into the Foundation’s groundbreaking initiatives and reflected on his experience partnering with East 27 Creative to document the energy and spirit of its events.
East Hampton Village Foundation is only in its fourth year, which is impressive considering all the work you’ve done to date.
Yes, we started in 2021. The first year was definitely interesting, during the pandemic. The East Hampton Village Centennial was even moved a year from 2020 to 2021, so we had a part in that celebration, together with all the other great supporters.
Share with us some of the Foundation’s other highlights and your plans for 2025.
For 2025, we’ll continue to focus on public safety work and community events. We plan to continue enhancing infrastructure and making public spaces more accessible, along with upgrading public safety and security equipment.
The crowning jewel of these efforts is Herrick Park, where we’ve created a brand-new tennis area with three courts featuring sports lighting; a revitalized softball field equipped with state-of-the-art dugouts; an ADA-compliant walking path, ensuring accessibility for all; and a regulation-size multi-purpose sports field for soccer and football. We also have plans to install new playground equipment with two new play areas.
We also launched a new safety-focused council that brings the police, fire department, EMS, and other public safety teams together with like-minded individuals to promote safety.
And we’re looking forward to all the fun activities throughout the year: the May Day 5K (Sunday, May 4, 2025), Tuesdays at Main Beach concerts (starting July 1, 2025), free yoga on Thursday and Saturday at Main Beach (Sat. begins May 25 / Thurs. begins June 27), the car shows as we’ve done in the past, more programming in Herrick Park, fall festivals, the Fall 5K – last year sponsored by Optimum and News12, and Santa Fest (December 6, 2025), to name a few.
None of this would have happened without the support of generous donors and strong community collaboration, working closely with East Hampton Village leaders, especially the Mayor, Village Administrator, our Police Chief, and other public safety officials. We have great corporate sponsorships for these events and are thankful to those who have already committed.
Tuesdays at Main Beach continues to gain popularity. What’s your secret to success?
Everyone enjoys themselves! We average 4,000 people per concert. We have people from all over. There was a woman at one concert who came up to me and asked “Is it OK for me to be here? I’m actually here from Southampton. I drive an hour to be here every week.” So now I joke that we see people from West Hampton, Southampton, and even Montauk. I heard from someone who works in NYC and spends time in East Hampton that they changed their summer schedule so they could be here on Tuesday nights and also for Saturday yoga. We’ve had people attend from as far away as the UK and Australia. As I told our kind Southampton attendee: Everyone is welcome!
We also have a great partnership with LTV Television East Hampton, which carries the concerts. There’s a bar in NYC that airs the concerts so patrons can enjoy them. Supporters all across the world tune in.
I love engaging with everyone, and I emcee the whole show. I also have a T-shirt cannon, so if you’re having fun or dancing and I see you, I’ll launch one in your direction. Last year, a 5-year-old came up to me on the street. He said, “I know who you are! You’re the music and T-shirt guy at the beach!” I considered that high praise for our events.
That’s the other wonderful thing. These events are multi-generational. I’ve seen four generations of families attending together.
And thanks to our great public safety team and lifeguards, we have a strong safety presence. Parents know that it’s a safe environment for their children.
It’s everyone working together that makes Tuesdays at Main Beach such a success.
Tell us about your visual storytelling activities or plans, and working with East 27 Creative to capture and celebrate the events?
I’ve had only great experiences working with East 27 Creative. Their technology is wonderful, using interactive photography so event attendees can see their photos on their phones. What a fantastic thing to see people getting their photos so fast. It’s absolutely spectacular. We also share the photos with the press and everyone else.
For this summer’s concerts, I’d like to have big outdoor displays connected to Wi-Fi, so when East 27 Creative photographers are taking pictures, the photos go up on the big screen and people can see themselves. That’s always fun, especially for the kids. I think kids of all ages would actually love it.
What first drew you to working with Jenn and John as your photographers?
My friend and colleague Marcos Baladrón, East Hampton Village Administrator, referred me to East 27 Creative. I was totally convinced that East 27 Creative is the way to go, once I started working with Jenn and John. They’re amazing.
You and your team have a fantastic working relationship with the Village. How would you describe the dynamic between the East Hampton Village Foundation and Village of East Hampton, led by Mayor Jerry Larsen?
The Village of East Hampton and the East Hampton Village Foundation have a highly collaborative and mutually supportive partnership, focused on enhancing the quality of life for all residents and visitors of East Hampton.
We share the same goals of enhancing public safety, preserving the environment, and building community capacity through vibrant public events. It's a partnership where every contribution leads to the betterment of our beloved Village, underscoring our mission to do everything for the greater good of our community.
I've known and respected Mayor Jerry Larsen for more than 40 years. With his extensive background as a former police chief and a local business leader, he brings a unique and effective perspective to his role. His approach is characterized by a steadfast dedication to excellence, an open-minded willingness to listen, and active support for collaborative initiatives.
Because of our shared deep commitment to the community, Mayor Larsen asked me to help start the East Hampton Village Foundation.
While the Foundation operates independently as a 501(c)(3) organization, Mayor Larsen’s leadership style creates a supportive environment that allows the Foundation to make meaningful contributions and effectively serve the community. This is bolstered by the backing of esteemed Village officials such as Marcos Baladrón, the Village Administrator, whose efforts are crucial to our success, and Jeff Erickson, our Village Police Chief, who helps ensure the community’s safety. Together with the Village Board of Trustees, Deputy Mayor Chris Minardi, Trustees Sarah Amaden, Carrie Doyle and Sandra Melendez, these leaders make East Hampton not just a place to live, but a place to thrive.
What do you hope to see as the future of the Foundation?
Our goal today is making sure this is a Foundation for all, where everyone works together for the common good and all are welcome. We want to serve as the fabric of the community, supporting several different and diverse community events and making the Village the heart of East Hampton Town. And I want this to outlive me. To outlive all of us. I want kids 40, 50, or 60 years from now to make the same great memories at the beach and enjoy other adventures, all while knowing they’re in a safe environment. And that throughout, we also continue to preserve the special place that is East Hampton Village.
When you’re not planning or attending Foundation functions, where can we find you? What are some of your favorite activities or hobbies?
When I'm not busy with Foundation activities, you can often find me indulging in my passions that involve both my professional skills and personal interests.
Traveling is a significant part of my life, especially trips related to water activities like fishing, which is one of my favorite hobbies. Whether it's casting a line in local waters or planning a fishing trip to Australia, being near or on the water is deeply rejuvenating for me.
Professionally, I lead a strategic advisory firm where I relish the opportunity to tackle complex and multifaceted issues. My role allows me to think creatively and apply my strategic and tactical thinking skills. I am also a trained mediator with various certifications and licenses, enabling me to actively put my skills to the test in challenging scenarios.
Supporting our first responders is another area in which I dedicate my time and expertise. I assist in training them in CPR and first aid, and sometimes, I even serve as a crew member driving the ambulance to 911 calls and the hospital. This direct involvement is another way I contribute to and connect with my community.
Meeting new people, traveling, and helping others are fantastic ways to keep my mind and body sharp. Soon, I will be heading to Australia to reconnect with people I met at concerts last summer, and I'm looking forward to some fishing while I'm there.
Living in East Hampton, a place that draws visitors from around the globe, continually reminds me that the world is indeed just a big village.
Support the East Hampton Village Foundation
At East 27 Creative, we’re honored to work with the East Hampton Village Foundation and witness their incredible impact on the community. If you’d like to get involved—whether by volunteering, attending an event, or donating—visit www.ehvf.org. Together, we can help the Foundation continue its vital work of building a stronger, safer, and more connected East Hampton Village!
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