Officers
John Brady
2024: Chair Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USJohn Brady
John Brady has worked in maritime preservation for 40 years. Before becoming the Director of Independence Seaport Museum’s Workshop on the Water in 1997, he worked as a shipwright and a builder of wooden boats at South Street Seaport, Philadelphia Maritime Museum and the Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild. At Independence Seaport Museum, he brought the Workshop to national prominence as a boat building and maritime education center.
John served as the President and CEO of the Independence Seaport Museum since 2011 and will retire from that position in February of 2021. During his tenure the museum expanded its focus to include the environment of the Delaware River while continuing to explore the region’s maritime history from commercial, naval, and recreational perspectives. High school education programming was greatly expanded in areas of math, biology, and engineering, utilizing the boat building shop and historic ships while adding a maker space and science lab. A life-long sailor John also expanded the on-water programming at the museum as the museum took a lead role in tall ships events, regattas, a boat livery, and kayaking expeditions on the Delaware River. The River became the museums most significant gallery and classroom.
John serves as an authority on boat and ship construction on the Delaware River and along the New Jersey coast. He continues to sail a wide variety of traditional boats, as he has for 54 years. John is on the Board of Directors of The Bayshore Center at Bivalve, Tall Ships America, and The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance. He has been published in WoodenBoat, Sea History, and Power Ships Magazines as well as authoring several blogs. John credits his education to Ocean County College and Rutgers University.
Charles “Chip” Swicker
2023: Vice Chair
Bel Alton, Maryland USCharles 'Chip' Swicker
CAPT Chip Swicker served as a deckhand in the 3-masted schooner VICTORY CHIMES in 1974, before graduating from Dartmouth College in 1977. He then went to sea for five years in a variety of large ocean-going sailing ships, including the schooners HARVEY GAMAGE, PRIDE OF BALTIMORE and R/V WESTWARD, and worked in shipyards in Amsterdam and San Juan. After shaving off his beard and receiving his commission from Navy Officer Candidate School in 1982, he was assigned briefly to USS EDSON (DD 946) before serving as Electrical Officer and Navigator in USS SCOTT (DDG 995), Fire Control Officer and Battery Control Officer in USS VIRGINIA (CGN 38), Weapons Officer and Combat Systems Officer in USS PHILIPPINE SEA (CG 58), Executive Officer in USS MONTEREY (CG 61), and Commanding Officer of the guided missile destroyer USS JOHN S. McCAIN (DDG 56). Captain Swicker’s Major Command was the guided missile cruiser USS VICKSBURG (CG 69). Ashore, Captain Swicker received a Master’s Degree in Scientific and Technical Intelligence from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1990. He is also a Distinguished Graduate of the Naval War College, and spent three years teaching fellow officers as Director of the Command at Sea Department at the Surface Warfare Officers School in Newport, Rhode Island. Captain Swicker completed his 30-year Navy career as Senior Naval Advisor to the Secretary of State, and retired on the deck of the schooner VICTORY CHIMES, finishing where he started. He is married to the former Barbara Gayle Biddle of Padanaram, Massachusetts. They first met 34 years ago as Mates in R/V WESTWARD, got spliced in 1983, and currently make their home in Bel Alton, Maryland.
Caleb Pifer
2022: Vice Chair
Erie, Pennsylvania USCaleb Pifer
Caleb Pifer is the Vice Chairman of Tall Ships America and joined the Board in 2006. He is presently the Vice President of External Relations at Mercyhurst University where he has responsibility for all external functions including Advancement, Alumni Relations, Community Relations, Governmental Relations, and Strategy & Innovation. Previously, Cal was the Executive Director of The Historical Society of Erie County, and worked professionally in the maritime history and sail training field for more than a decade, including with Erie Maritime Museum, Providence Maritime History Foundation, the Texas Seaport Museum, Outward Bound, Class Afloat, and the American Foundation for Education Under Sail. He was a recipient of the 2008 Tall Ships International Young Sail Trainer of the Year Award. Pifer also serves on the Board of Directors for the Erie Innovation District, the Erie Downtown Development Corporation, and the Board Corporators for UPMC Hamot Hospital. He is a member of the New York Yacht Club, Erie Yacht Club, the Erie Club, and the Pennsylvania Society.
Mike Meighan
2024: Treasurer
Sarasota, Florida USMike Meighan
Mike Meighan is Executive Director of Global Expeditions Group – ActionQuest, GoBeyond & Sea|mester. Born in the UK, Mike knew he loved marine life, sailboats, and teaching, but his ‘Aha moment’ happened in 1995 while training teenagers aboard yachts in the Caribbean for ActionQuest Teen Summer Adventures. A realization that learning while living in dynamic, uncontrived and often unfamiliar environments offers exceptional opportunities for social, emotional and academic growth. Mike has committed his professional career to this end, founding Sea|mester in 1998 and GoBeyond Student Travel in 2001 and eventually Global Expeditions Group as the parent organization in 2005.
In 2019 Global Expeditions Group operated over 21,000 student days collectively. Students represented 44 states and 26 countries, sailed over 21,000 nautical miles, earned more than 1,300 scuba certifications, 1,400 academic credits and dedicated more than 15,000 hours to the service of others.
Mike remains hands-on with program development, staff training and operations, sailing for three months in the Caribbean each summer with groups of 200 or more. Throughout the rest of the year, he remains active within the industry, serving as a board member for the American Sail Training Association / Tall Ships America. Mike lives in Sarasota, FL with his family.
Board of Directors
Aaron Singh
2024: Director
New York, New York USAaron Singh
Captain Aaron Singh has been sailing for the last 25 years on a wide variety of Tall Ships America member and commercial passenger vessels. His love for being on the water began aboard a Sea Scout ship sailing out of City Island in the Bronx, NY. As so many sailors before him, the volunteer program at South Street Seaport Museum introduced him to schooners and subsequently led him to command every vessel that has operated out of South Street Seaport from a 600 passenger high speed ferries to wooden tug boats to Gloucester fishing schooners. In 2010, Captain Singh joined the teaching staff at the New York Harbor School on Governors Island and created a three-year New York State certified Maritime Career and Technical Education Program for Vessel Operations. The program offers hands on practical training in one of the busiest Harbors in the United States. Many students enter the workforce on commercial vessels or choose to attend a Maritime Colleges often pursuing seagoing careers. In addition to his teaching duties, he serves as the school’s Waterfront Director overseeing marine operations on Governors Island and the Brooklyn Navy Yard for a variety of historic and modern training vessels. When he’s not in the classroom you can find him hiking, biking, sailing and road tripping with his amazing seagoing family.
Anne Beaumont
2022: Director
New York, New York USAnne Beaumont
Anne Beaumont joined the Board of Tall Ships America in 2013 and currently chairs the Board’s Membership Committee. Anne is a partner in the New York law firm Friedman Kaplan Seiler & Adelman LLP, where her practice focuses on financial services litigation matters. She is a volunteer crew member of the schooners Pioneer and Lettie G. Howard at the South Street Seaport Museum and has sailed on several other vessels in the TSA fleet.
Carleen Lyden-Walker
2023: Director
Southport, Connecticut USCarleen Lyden-Walker
Carleen Lyden-Walker joined the Tall Ships America Board in 2017. She is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of NAMEPA (North American Marine Environment Protection Association) and has over 40 years of experience as a marketing and communications professional in the commercial maritime industry. She specializes in identifying, developing and implementing strategic marketing and communications programs that increase the visibility and effectiveness of NAMEPA as well as the development of educational resources promoting marine environment protection. She works to develop strategic alliances between industry, regulators, conservation groups and educators to “Save the Seas”. Carleen is a member of WISTA (Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association), the Connecticut Maritime Association, the Marine Society of the City of New York, The National Press Club, WIMAC (Women in Maritime Association, Caribbean); is Past-President of the Propeller Club Chapter of the Port of NY/NJ, Trustee of American Caribbean Maritime Foundation; and in 2015, was appointed an Ambassador by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Alongside her service on the Tall Ships America Board, Carleen was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Coast Guard Foundation, New York Harbor Foundation and the New Era Academy Transportation Technologies Program in Baltimore. She also sits on the Board of Gibbs & Cox.
Carleen is also Chief Executive Officer of Morgan Marketing & Communications, Chief Evolution Officer of SHIPPINGInsight, and Co-Founder/Executive Director of the Consortium for International Maritime Heritage. In 2010, she was awarded the Certificate of Merit by the United States Coast Guard and in 2014 a Public Service Commendation for her work on World Maritime Day and AMVER, respectively. Carleen graduated from Wellesley College with a BA in Political Science and History (minor in Economics) and studied Accounting at Cornell School of Business Administration, is a trained facilitator and media trainer, and held a USCG Captain’s license.
Chase Jackson
2024: Director
Cape May, New Jersey USChase Jackson
Chase is a non-profit administrator with over 30 years in the community arts field. Sailing came late in life but it has become one of her passions. She was active for years with the Black Boaters Summit and is a member of the Universal Sailing Club, Baltimore, MD. She has taken ASA basic sailing courses and has crewed on bare-boat cruises in BVI, the French Polynesian Islands and the Netherlands. While quasi retired, she became a volunteer crew member on the Schooner A J Meerwald out of Port Norris, NJ. That segued into a position with Bayshore Center at Bivalve, the owner and operator of the A J Meerwald. She is currently their Program and Grants Manager. Chase is also the managing director for Cape May Forum, which seeks inspiration through an educated and engaged exploration of socially-relevant issues, in concert with outstanding presenters and cultural partners. It also annually sponsors TEDx Cape May. She graduated from Elizabeth City State University with a BS in Accounting and earned a Certificate in Arts Management from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. Prior positions held were: Managing Director of the Village of Arts & Humanities, Philadelphia and initiating Director of Arts Programs at the country’s largest community development corporation, New Community Corporation, Newark, NJ. She has been a participant in two national Ford Foundation initiatives and has maintained a network of cohorts. Chase serves on the NJ Historical Commission’s Revolution NJ Advisory Committee, the Non Profit Professionals of Color Collective and the NJ Arts and Culture Administrators of Color Network. She is also a member of American Association of University Women-Cape May. She is also an accomplished storyteller, producer, director, actor and blues vocalist and founder of ChaseArts, a producing/presenting organization. Chase declares that she has to live near a body of water where you cannot see the other side. She grew up in Norfolk, VA on the Chesapeake and currently lives one block off the Delaware in Cape May, NJ. She is always at home on the water.
Jonathan Kabak
2022: Director
Newport, Rhode Island USJonathan Kabak
Captain Jonathan Kabak joined the Board in 2012 and currently is the Chair of Tall Ships America’s Ship Operations and Safety Committee and the Conference Planning Committee. Jonathan is an internationally recognized expert on Maritime Training and Education Under Sail. Originally hailing from New York City, Jonathan’s maritime career began in the Sea Scouts and aboard the ships of the South Street Seaport Museum. Over the course of his career he has sailed in command of vessels ranging from Landmark Tall Ships to high performance racing sailboats, Academy Training Ships to luxury motor yachts. When not involved in vessel operations, he is sought after as an instructor and curriculum developer, specializing in STCW and Coast Guard approved training for commercial mariners, and as well as teaching at US and World Sailing Safety at Sea Seminars. Recently, Jonathan was named CEO of Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island, the organization which operates the largest Sailing School Vessel in the United States. A transplant to the Ocean State, Jonathan now calls Portsmouth, RI home with his wife Jennifer and two children Olivia and Nathaniel.
Maisa Tisdale
2024: Director
Bridgeport, Connecticut USMaisa Tisdale
Maisa Tisdale has advocated for the preservation of the Mary and Eliza Freeman Houses since 1994 and founded the Mary & Eliza Freeman Center for History and Community in 2009 after coordinating a successful movement to save the homes from demolition. Ms. Tisdale led the Freeman Center as a volunteer until 2019 when she became the Center’s first professional staff member. Over the past ten years Maisa Tisdale not only focused on the restoration of the Freeman houses but has worked to create a safer and healthier “built” environment in Bridgeport’s South End – stressing the importance of historic preservation, community development, environmental justice, and climate change.
Maisa Tisdale worked as a private contractor for the US Department of State’s Bureau of Education & Cultural Affairs (ECA) for many years; and has worked as: Executive Director of The Ocean Classroom (Bridgeport); Assistant Director of Admissions at Fairfield University; and Manager of Sponsorships and Grants at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center. Ms. Tisdale’s assignments with ECA strongly reinforced her lifelong belief that arts and culture can indeed precipitate lasting and systemic change for the better, between nations and between diverse groups of people. Maisa also completed Professional Mariner Training at Chapman School of Seamanship and served as deckhand and docent, aboard PRIDE OF BALTIMORE II.
Marcus Asante
2024: Director
Baltimore, Maryland USMarcus Asante
Marcus is the Director of Marine Arts Workshop (MAW). MAW creates learning opportunities and events designed to educate teen and young adult students about marine trades and sailing/boating safety. An annual youth regatta is held in Cambridge, MD with New Bedford, MA and Baltimore, MD soon to be added. He works as an active Marine Technician as a private contractor with customers between Baltimore and Annapolis, serving power and sailboat owners. Recent projects include work involving gas and diesel engines, sailboat rigging, electrical troubleshooting, electronics installations, fiberglass and gelcoat repair, yacht transport and demolition, purchase and sales of vessels, winterization, pumps and water systems, and canvas/sail repair. He is a 2010 graduate of the Marine Studies Program at The Landing School in Arundel, Maine, where he received ABYC certifications in Marine Diesel engines, Marine Electrical, and Marine Systems. He also completed certification in Dometic Vacu-Flush installations. Marcus has worked at many marinas and boatyards around the Chesapeake Bay. He has also sailed much of it, from Norfolk to the C and D Canal on a variety of sail and power vessels over the last 25 years, in addition to many locations from Maine to Florida and the Caribbean. He was previously a sailing instructor for Living Classrooms Foundation, Getaway Sailing School, and Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound in Baltimore. He currently owns a 1980 Hunter 36 sailboat, which will continue to ply the waters of the Chesapeake and beyond. Marcus is the Founder of Universal Sailing Club, whose members are mostly African American, and is the only sailing club of this demographic on the US East Coast. His achievements have been recognized by numerous media outlets including Baltimore Sun, Chesapeake Bay Magazine, and Boating Industry Magazine.
Mark “Buz” Buzby
2024: Director
Norfolk, Virginia USMark 'Buz' Buzby
Admiral Mark Buzby, USN (ret.) served as the Administrator of the United States Maritime Administration (“MARAD”) from August 2017 – January 2021.
Admiral Buzby started out in the industry at Kings Point, from which he emerged in 1979 with a license as Third Mate and a bachelor’s degree. Nearly immediately, he was commissioned as an ensign in the Navy. He served as the Commander of the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command from 2009 to 2013, and retired from the Navy from that position. In the meantime, he commanded the destroyer USS Carney during its first Persian Gulf deployment. He also commanded Destroyer Squadron 31 as the sea combat commander for the Abraham Lincoln Battle Group during two deployments in support of Operations Southern Watch and Enduring Freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan, respectively; the Surface Warfare Officers School Command; and Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay. As a junior officer, he served at sea aboard numerous cruisers and destroyers including USS Connole, USS Aries, USS Yorktown, and USS Shiloh, primarily in operations and combat systems billets. In 1985, he was the Atlantic Fleet Junior Officer Shiphandler of the Year. During the Kosovo crisis of 1998-1999, Buzby returned to sea as U.S. 6th Fleet assistant operations officer participating in combat operations as part of NATO’s Operation Allied Force in Kosovo. Ashore, Buzby has served on the Navy staff as the Point Defense Anti-Air Warfare section head for Surface Warfare Division and as Aegis Combat System development officer. As a flag officer, Buzby has served on the Navy staff as deputy for Surface Ships, deputy for Surface Warfare and deputy for Expeditionary Warfare.
Admiral Buzby is a graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College and in 1991 earned concurrent master’s degrees at the U.S. Naval War College and Salve Regina University in Strategic Studies and International Relations, respectively. Admiral Buzby’s personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (four awards), Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (five awards) and various other unit and campaign awards.
Admiral Buzby and his wife, Gina, reside in Norfolk, Virginia. A lifelong yachtsman, Buzby owns Nor’easter, a Grand Banks Eastbay 43 yacht that he sails all around Chesapeake Bay.
Mark Scibinico
2023: Director
Galveston, Texas USMark Scibinico
Captain Mark Scibinico serves as the Director of Maritime Operations and Port Captain for the Texas Seaport Museum, which is owned and operated by Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF). Mark joined GHF in 2012 and began his time there with the extensive second restoration of ELISSA. Over the last several years, Mark has acted as liaison between GHF, the USCG and ABS that has resulted in ELISSA being recertified as a Sailing School Vessel. In 2018, Mark organized the first ever Galveston Tallship festival, along with the dedicated staff of GHF and Tall Ships America.
Mark has over 15 years’ experience working on vessels of all types, sailing from the Antarctic Peninsula to the Canadian territories on both coasts of the Americas. Having sailed on everything from dinghies to cruise ships; Barques to brigs; tugs boats to schooners, he has extensive training in traditional sail, volunteer management and regulatory management of passenger and sail training vessels.
CAPT Michael Turdo
2024: Director
New London, Connecticut, USCAPT Michael Turdo
CAPT Turdo is Commanding Officer USCGC EAGLE (WIX 327) and a permanent Cutterman with ten years at sea. Prior afloat assignments include Deck Watch Officer USCGC Forward (WMEC 911) in Portsmouth, Virginia; Executive Officer USCGC Monomoy (WPB 1326) in Woods Hole, Massachusetts; Commanding Officer USCGC Baranof (WPB 1318) deployed to the Northern Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; Commanding Officer USCGC Key Biscayne (WPB 1339) in St. Petersburg, Florida; Executive Officer USCGC Eagle (WIX 327) in New London, Connecticut; Commanding Officer USCGC ESCANABA (WMEC 907) in Boston, Massachusetts. Previous assignments ashore include: Command Center Duty Officer at Coast Guard Activities New York; Company Officer at the United States Coast Guard Academy; Staff Officer in the Office of Defense Operations, Coast Guard Headquarters; Chief of Professional Maritime Studies at the United States Coast Guard Academy.
CAPT Turdo is a 1997 graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Government. He also holds a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. He currently resides in East Lyme, Connecticut with his wife, Wendy, and their two daughters.
Nathan Hauser
2023: Director
Newark, Delaware USNathan Hauser
Nathan joined the Board in 2017. He is the Vice President and General Manager of Moran Philadelphia and Moran Baltimore. Moran Towing is a marine services provider with a reputation for providing industry leading quality, safety and performance. Moran operates over 100 vessels from 16 locations in North America, engaged in harbor tug assist and escort operations as well as bulk marine transportation. At Moran since 2002, Nathan has been deeply involved in efforts to achieve industry leading quality and safety certifications. He is also a member of Moran’s Corporate Design Team and Quality Steering Committee. Prior to joining Moran, Nathan was employed as a Merchant Mariner aboard United States Flagged oceangoing ships engaged in international trade. Nathan also served for 14 years as a Reserve Naval Officer. Nathan is a Dual License graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point. He maintains current USCG Licensing in both the Deck and Engineering departments, including unlimited and ocean endorsements. Nathan is active in the local Philadelphia port community, currently serving as a Board Member for the Maritime Academy Charter High School, the Ports of Philadelphia Maritime Society. He is also an active member of the Mariner’s Advisory Committee. Nathan is an avid aviator and also enjoys sailing with his family.
Patricia (Patti) Lock
2024: Director
Waukesha, Wisconsin USPatricia (Patti) Lock
Patti Lock is a career marketing communicator with a focus on event logistics and community partnerships. A former sports agent and concert producer, Patti has extensive festival and event production experience and has specialized in the promotion of tall ships since 1998 when Tall Ships America launched its first efforts to bring the tall ships into the Great Lakes. Patti was working at Navy Pier at the time and was instrumental in the development of Tall Ships® Chicago – an event that has now happened 8 times between 1998 and 2016. She was TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® Director for Tall Ships America from 2008 – 2014, when she transitioned over to Director, Special Projects to focus on port development, logistics and community involvement. In June 2018, Patti left Tall Ships America as a staff member but remained involved assisting new TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® port cities.
In the past 20 years promoting ships, ship programs and sail training, she has helped develop many cities host the fleet for the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE®. These include Savannah, GA, Portland, ME, Jacksonville, FL, Galveston, TX, Pensacola, FL; returning series regulars such as Chicago and Cleveland; new 2019 ports, Buffalo, NY and Kenosha, WI; and in 2018 Tall Ships® New Orleans 2018, a massive 18-month undertaking to bring six tall ships down the Mississippi to New Orleans for their tricentennial celebration.
A US Coast Guard Auxiliarist from Flotilla 36-06 Wilmette Harbor, IL for fifteen years, Patti is a long-time advocate for fresh-water conservation, better environmental practices and the preservation of bee and butterfly habitats. When she is not promoting education under sail, Patti enjoys her time as a member of the Rotary Club of Arlington Heights, IL, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, and is a former Board Director for the Metropolis Performing Arts Center, also in Arlington Heights, IL.
Pete Tebeau
2023: Director
Pawcatuck, Connecticut USPete Tebeau
Pete Tebeau brings to the Board over fifty years of experience as a maritime professional and marine educator. Upon graduation from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, he served 22 years on active duty in the Coast Guard in assignments focusing on Arctic operations, pollution prevention, response & enforcement, and marine environmental technology R&D. Upon retirement, he embarked on a 25-year career as a maritime consultant working on projects for government, academia and private industry in the areas of oceanography, marine technology, maritime operations and marine environmental protection.
Pete holds undergraduate degrees from the Coast Guard Academy and Florida International University, and masters degrees in Physical Oceanography from the University of Miami and Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island.
Since 2003, he has undertaken a career in science education, teaching physical sciences at the high school level at Stonington High School, and teaching oceanography, meteorology and marine environmental protection at the Coast Guard Academy. He has Connecticut State Teacher Certifications for Earth Science, Physics and General Science for Grades 7-12. In addition to classroom teaching, he has worked with youth as a rowing coach at both Stonington High School and CGA.
Pete’s sailing experience includes three summers on Tall Ship USCGC EAGLE, as well as recreational sailboat voyages in the Caribbean and Puget Sound, and numerous afternoon sails on his own sloop. His current aspiration is to continue teaching marine and maritime science in both formal and informal settings to promote youth engagement & development and ocean stewardship.
Richard Hawkins
2022: Director
West Barnstable, Massachusetts USRichard Hawkins
Dick Hawkins joined the Board of Tall Ships America in 2010. He is currently Chair of the Audit Committee and has in the past served on the Finance and Investment Committees. Dick retired from business in 2014 after 13 years as proprietor of the Columbia Trading Company, the specialty retailer of used, rare and new maritime books and related nautical artifacts on Cape Cod. Previously, he was employed by Bank of Boston/Fleet Bank in commercial lending and investment banking positions for nearly twenty-five years. During much of his banking career as both line officer and division manager, he specialized in domestic and international transportation companies (shipping, container leasing, rail, trucking, air, etc.). Prior to joining the Bank, Dick worked for the Sea Education Association in Woods Hole during the first four years after its founding in 1972. He has served on SEA’s Board of Trustees or its Board of Overseers during most of the years since then; he was Treasurer for nearly twenty years, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees for four years and its Chairman for another four years. Other current not-for-profit commitments include the Advisory Board of the Cape Cod Maritime Museum in Hyannis, and Overseer of the USS Constitution Museum in Charlestown. Dick served in the U. S. Army from 1968 to 1971. After basic training, he was commissioned at the Infantry Officers Candidate School, Ft. Benning, and was subsequently transferred to the Medical Service Corps. Assignments included Fort Sam Houston in Texas; a combined mechanized infantry/armour division in Quang Tri Provence, on the northern border of South Vietnam; and Fitzsimmons General Hospital, Denver, Colorado. Dick is a graduate of Yale University (’68) and the Harvard Business School (’73). He is married to Marian Ferguson and they currently live in Barnstable (Cape Cod), Massachusetts; he has four children and four grandchildren who all live in the Boston area.
Simon Colley
2023: Director
Hingham, Massachusetts US
William Sabatini
2023: Director
Erie, Pennsylvania USWilliam Sabatini
Captain William Sabatini grew up in southeastern Massachusetts, on Cape Cod, and has been around water his entire life. He began sailing tall ships in Newport, RI, before attending Tabor Academy, an academically rigorous high school in Marion, MA. While at Tabor, Billy sailed for four years on the Schooner Tabor Boy; he also crewed on various other schooners during his summer breaks. In the latter half of his senior year, he restored a 1939 Alden Coastwise Cruiser, Luau, which he sailed throughout New England after graduation. The following year, he sailed Luau to Maine Maritime Academy, where he spent the next four years earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Small Vessel Operations, with a concentration in Sail Training. While at Maine Maritime, Billy worked his way up to the position of Chief Mate of the Academy’s schooner Bowdoin, where he designed and implemented Bowdoin’s student run sail training program. During his college career, he also assisted in the development of a supplemental seamanship program, applicable to both traditional and modern vessels, for students in all majors at the Academy.
Billy began his time with the US Brig Niagara in 2005, as 3rd Mate, advancing to Chief Mate in 2008, Captain in 2014 and Executive Director/Fleet Captain in 2018. During the winter months, he has served as Mate or Captain on a number of tall ships on every coast of the United States. Over the last two plus decades, he has sailed the East coast from Nova Scotia to Venezuela, the West Coast from Alaska to Mexico, and the entire Great Lakes system, as well as crossing the Atlantic twice.
Billy lives in Erie, PA with his dogs Bruin and Queen Charlotte and his cat Commodore.
Patron
Michael J Rauworth, Esq
2021
Nahant, Massachusetts USMichael Rauworth
Michael Rauworth served on the Board of Tall Ships America for more than 20 years, and completed his service as President and Board Chair in 2021. Mike’s long-term service to American Sail Training Association/Tall Ships America has seen the organization through many cycles of change and development through generous contributions of his time, expertise and gifts.
Mike has worked as a maritime lawyer in Boston for more than 30 years, following a career at sea amounting to more than 200,000 sea miles. He maintains an unlimited Coast Guard license as Master of Sail, Steam, and Motor Vessels, and as first-class pilot on waters of Alaska, Hawaii, and Washington, serving as master of six commercial vessels and deck officer on fifteen others, ranging from sail training to deep-draft cargo vessels, to tugs and barges, and to military vessels. He served as Commander of U.S. Naval Forces during Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti in 1994, and later retired as a Captain from the Coast Guard Reserve after service ranging from icebreaker voyages to both polar icecaps to commanding seven military units. Mike taught marine insurance at Massachusetts Maritime Academy for seven years and is the author of a two-part article on the Jones Act, published in Sea History magazine in 2017.