November 1st marked six months since I became CEO of US Sailing. I spent that day in Manhattan resting before running an ill-advised TCS New York City Marathon — one I’d registered for before taking on this more-than-full-time role. I found myself wondering where all my training time had gone? After dragging myself through all five boroughs, I showered, inhaled a cheeseburger, and hopped on a flight to Dublin for the 2025 World Sailing Annual Conference — my first as CEO and as a member of the Oceanic and Offshore Committee.
At its core, US Sailing serves two vital functions: we’re both a National Governing Body (NGB) and a Member National Authority (MNA). Our NGB status comes from the USOPC, with our mission defined by the Ted Stevens Act: to grow sailing in the United States, field Olympic and Pan American teams, and ensure fair selection criteria for those events. I experienced this firsthand a few weeks ago at the USOPC Assembly in Salt Lake City. Our MNA status, meanwhile, comes from our International Federation — World Sailing — and I was about to see that relationship in action.
I landed in Dublin at 9:30 AM and reached the hotel by 10:30 AM, only to learn I couldn’t check in until 4:00 PM. After a marathon and a redeye, I was feeling spent. The ORC Annual Meetings overlapped with the World Sailing sessions and were still underway, so I joined as an observer. The discussion was fascinating, two particular topics caught my attention: electronic starting systems and Weather Routing Scoring. It was eye-opening to see how much consideration and debate go into every decision. I was thrilled to witness it all — even if I was fighting to keep my eyes open, thanks to the previous 24 hours of activity.
When I finally checked in, I took another shower and a much-needed nap before donning my monkey suit for the ORC Gala. The rating agency had kindly invited me, and I found myself at a table with representatives from all over the world. We discussed how other MNAs operate and explored the intricacies of measurement — both at regattas and at the manufacturing level. It was a crash course in an area I hadn’t known much about before stepping into this role.
The ORC annual meeting was a bonus; the main event was the World Sailing Annual Conference. As the MNA, US Sailing assembles the US delegation — and we are well represented. We have two official council members, Fred Hagedorn and Dina Kowalyshyn, plus others in elected capacities. Cory Sertl serves as a World Sailing Vice President, Amanda Callahan serves as Team Racing Committee Chair and Dave Hughes chairs the Athlete Council. Beyond those roles, our staff and board members hold seats on numerous committees and subcommittees — where much of the real work gets initiated. Our delegation works tirelessly to ensure that the United States has a voice at as many tables as possible.
Over the week, countless topics were debated and decided. This year’s hot-button issues included:
- Olympic Games format
- Updates to the Racing Rules and Offshore Special Regulations
- Restructuring of regional sailing organizations (think congressional redistricting)
- The election of two new World Sailing Vice Presidents
Being at the epicenter of the sport’s decision-making process was both fascinating and energizing. It gave me a new appreciation for why US Sailing membership matters. Yes, there are tangible benefits — discounts, event participation, access to ratings data, and support for the sport’s growth. But one of the most powerful reasons is representation.
Some sailors tell me, “I don’t need US Sailing; I can get the rules and regs directly from World Sailing.” What they may not realize is that World Sailing is made up of people from MNAs around the world — and US Sailing has a strong voice in shaping those decisions. Being a member of US Sailing strengthens that voice and ensures the United States has real influence on the international stage.
That realization hit me during my Oceanic and Offshore Committee meetings. When I raised my hand (or chose not to) to vote on updates to the Offshore Special Regulations, I recognized the weight of that moment. These recommendations originate in subcommittees, come to us for approval, and then move on to Council for ratification.
That’s when it struck me: I’m in the room where it happens.
During COVID, my family got really into Hamilton. For those unfamiliar, it’s Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical based on Ron Chernow’s biography of Alexander Hamilton, one of our nation’s Founding Fathers. The show (now immortalized on Disney+) features a song about influence — how everyone wanted to be in “the room where it happens.” Supporting US Sailing ensures that we are in that room. We have a seat, a voice, and a vote — and, most importantly, influence over the future of our sport.
It was a whirlwind week. I learned a tremendous amount and look forward to staying deeply involved in this process. Volunteers and staff alike dedicate their lives to improving this sport, and it’s humbling to be part of that.
Now, the focus shifts back home. This week, we’ll hold our US Sailing Annual General Meeting, where we’ll elect new board members, ratify our new strategic plan, and define our priorities for 2026. I look forward to reporting back soon.