From: Miami, Florida
Education: Providence College, BS in Business, Honorary Doctorate in Health Services
Experience: Growing up in Newport, Rhode Island, Harry learned to sail at Ida Lewis Yacht Club—and the sport has shaped his life. Following a paralyzing injury in 1980, he started the non-profit organization Shake-A-Leg, Inc. to assist people with disabilities maximize their independence.
Harry participated in the development of a universally accessible sailboat and worked with Sail Newport in the development of an accessible dock facility. This project became a national model for the start-up of other accessible sailing programs and created the U.S. Independence Cup, which has become the U.S. Disabled Sailing Championship.
These projects led Harry to Miami, Florida, where he co-founded Shake-A-Leg Miami. The organization's $5 million community boating center serves over 8,000 people annually. Working with US SAILING and the U.S. Sailing Center in Miami, they host many regattas and have become an international training center for people with disabilities. Harry is the CEO of Shake-A-Leg Miami and recipient of the US SAILING 2007 Martin Luray Award.
Candidate's Statement:
"Sailing has always been part of my life. It taught me skills as a youth, helped me overcome the challenges of disability and launched my career. I have spent the past 25 years building an organization that has opened up the sport of sailing to thousands of people. We have created a watersports center, next to the U.S. Sailing Center. My experience, dedication and the strength of our organization will help US SAILING increase public access to sailing and provide the facilities for supporting and training Race Officials and preparing athletes to compete at the highest levels and win medals."
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