HOMETOWN: Fort Wayne, Indiana

BIRTHDATE: Nov. 20

#YRS. SAILING: 25 Years

US SAILING #: 293716U

CPR/FIRST AID CURRENT THROUGH: 2014

CERTIFICATIONS: US Level 1 Coach Certification, Basic Keelboat Instructor, Basic Cruising Instructor, Bareboat Cruising Instructor, Coastal Navigation Instructor.

NOTABLE SAILING EVENTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Racing: Chicago to Mackinac Race (12)
Port Huron to Mackinac (6)
Annapolis to Newport (3)
Marblehead to Halifax (2)
Fort Lauderdale to Key West (5)
Swiftsure Light Race (2)
Farralones Race
Melges 24, J/22, J/80 World Championships
Melges 24, J/22, J/80, J/105, J/35, Farr 30 North American Championships
IRC East Coast Championship – (2nd)
Block Island Race Week – (2nd)
Chester Race Week
Annapolis NOOD Regatta (2nd)
St. Petersburg NOOD Regatta (2nd)
Seattle NOOD Regatta (2nd)
Marblehead NOOD Regatta (1st)
Larchmont NOOD Regatta (2nd)
Screwpile Regatta (1st)
Key West Race Week

Cruising: Chesapeake Bay
British Virgin Islands
Bermuda
Nova Scotia
Mexico
Great Lakes
US East Coast Maine to Key West (Offshore and ICW)
US West Coast Seattle to San Diego
Catalina Islands
Florida’s Emerald Coast

WHERE HAVE YOU SAILED:

Just about everywhere I could! Mud puddle and tin can equals good sailing in my mind.

MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE:

On a delivery from Beaufort to Fort Lauderdale I was on deck at around 0400. It was November, so we were still hours from daybreak and I had been steering to a bright star just above the horizon. At sunset we had been surrounded by a pod of dolphins but they had left us just as the sun went down – suddenly around the boat there were dozens of phosphorescence green bubble steams exploding just under the surface. The dolphin pod was back, and because it was so dark all you could see were their “tracers” of disturbed water and the sound of the occasional breaches.

WHAT I LIKE MOST ABOUT TEACHING SAILING:

I love being in the “joy” business. Everyday I get to share my passion, and provide a safe and fun learning environment. What I teach isn’t about making more money or improving your station in life – but rather it is about personal enrichment and self fulfillment. Teaching sailing is an opportunity to give someone a lifelong gift. Teaching sailing at a high standard is an opportunity to give someone confidence and empower them to succeed in a lifelong pursuit that has too many ancillary benefits to mention. I can’t imagine doing anything else.