For me, May 1 marked one year as US Sailing’s CEO. We’ve accomplished a great deal in that time, but there is still significant work ahead.
When I stepped into the role, I knew the organization needed support, though the full scope wasn’t immediately clear. As with many new beginnings, there was an initial sense of optimism and momentum. Within a few months, however, it became clear where we stood and what would be required to stabilize and move forward.
US Sailing had already been through a challenging period and had just delivered one of its most significant undertakings: supporting Team USA at the 2024 Olympic Games in Marseille. I assumed the role shortly thereafter and was tasked with helping the organization reset and chart a sustainable path forward.
From a financial perspective, the work extended beyond dollars and cents. It required rebuilding processes, strengthening accountability, and reestablishing a solid operational foundation. One of my first priorities was hiring a Chief Financial Officer. After a candid initial conversation, I’m pleased that Monika Miller joined the organization in that role and she has been instrumental in advancing our financial discipline.
Our revenue model is highly seasonal, with the majority of our income generated early in the year through membership, programming, and partnerships, followed by a slower period until year-end philanthropic giving kicks in. Given this structure, and the urgency of our position, we made the difficult but necessary decision to reduce staff and scale back certain activities. These actions were not taken lightly, but they were essential to demonstrating fiscal responsibility and rebuilding trust.
At the same time, we asked for support from the sailing community – and that support delivered. In 2024, the organization raised $1.8 million in philanthropic contributions. In 2025, that number grew to $3.4 million. I am deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to this progress. We closed 2025 in a great position to move forward with discipline and clarity.
We have been clear that change is necessary. What worked in the past was no longer sufficient, and meaningful progress requires time and focus. Over the past year, our priority has been stability. As we look ahead, our focus shifts to efficiency, effectiveness, and long-term impact. While there is still work to be done, we are now in a position to think more strategically about the future.
We have begun building key areas of the organization with a more focused structure. Andrew Clouston was promoted to Chief Operating Officer. New hires include Molly Vandemoer as Director of Olympic Sailing and Sarah Hawkins as Director of Communications and Marketing, with a Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships to follow. Even with these additions, our team remains significantly smaller than in previous years, reflecting our commitment to operating responsibly.
I also want to recognize the dedication of our long-standing staff members who have remained true through this period of change. Their commitment, adaptability, and belief in the organization have been critical to our progress.
Over the past several months, one of the most rewarding parts of this role has been connecting directly with our members, volunteers, and coaches at our Stakeholder Summit, Regional Symposiums, and coaching clinics across the country. Those conversations continue to shape our priorities and reinforce the strength of the sailing community we serve.
I’m proud to share that US Sailing has officially announced the 2026 US Sailing Youth National Team, featuring 61 outstanding athletes representing the future of our sport in the United States. Their commitment, talent, and ambition give us confidence in the pipeline of American sailing talent.
On the international stage, American athletes continue to deliver world-class performances. At the Olympic events in Palma and Hyères, US sailors showed exceptional strength, with a number of athletes finishing on the podium and a handful of others who posted career bests and look toward medal contention in Long Beach at the upcoming Olympic Classes Regatta.
Domestically, we were excited to launch our 2026 championship season in South Carolina this past weekend with the U.S. Multihull Championship, where Bob Hughes delivered a championship-winning performance.This is a great start to a Championship season which will extend through this coming October.
We’ve taken an important step forward by partnering with the Performance Handicap Racing Fleet (PHRF) community to establish a dedicated working group focused on ratings. This collaboration reflects our commitment to strengthening competitive fairness and supporting the long-term growth of PHRF racing.
Across every area of our sport—from youth development and Olympic performance to championship racing and offshore competition—we are building momentum and positioning US Sailing for a stronger future.
Looking ahead, we are focused on improving how we operate. This includes investing in modern technology, evaluating and strengthening our course offerings, and continuing to advance our programs and services. It also means building stronger partnerships and delivering greater value to our members.
We’ve made meaningful progress, and early signs of momentum are encouraging. More importantly, we are building a stronger, more sustainable foundation for the future of US Sailing.
See you on the water!