Terry Lewis of Gloucester stepped down in January as president of the Tidewater Oyster Gardeners Association (TOGA) at the nonprofit organization’s virtual Annual Meeting.

Lewis was TOGA’s president from 2017 through 2020. He will continue to serve on the TOGA Board of Directors as past president and mentor to the new president, Doug Schaefer of Wicomico Church.

Lewis’s leadership boosted TOGA’s growth and impact on local communities as he led annual grant and funding requests and partnerships with Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund, C&F Bank, Seaglass Wines, Bacardi, Grey Goose, Devil’s Backbone, local museums, and others. During his tenure, these efforts generated nearly $20,000 annually. He led the TOGA effort to place educational displays at regional museums and parks.

As a former executive in public affairs, Lewis had a knack for informing and encouraging the Tidewater public to participate in oyster cultivation. He originated the TOGA Middle School Writing C...