The committees of Tall Ships America play a vital role in advancing the organization’s mission. These committees, composed of passionate individuals with diverse expertise, are responsible for overseeing a range of key areas including event planning, education, fundraising, and advocacy. Their work ensures that tall ship festivals, educational programs, and sailing events run smoothly and remain accessible to the public. By fostering collaboration and steering initiatives that engage communities, these committees help preserve the tradition of tall ships while inspiring future generations to connect with the sea.
Are you interested in getting involved with Tall Ships America? We’d love to hear from you!
Please fill out this form and a member of our staff will be in touch shortly!
The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of the Corporation, the Chair of each Standing Committee and the Chair of the Finance Committee, the Executive Director, and two Executive Committee members At-Large. The two members At-Large shall be appointed from the Directors by the Directors at their meeting occurring at the Annual Conference and shall serve until the following Annual Meeting.
| First Name | Last Name | Role |
| Simon | Colley | Chair |
| Nate | Hauser | Vice Chair |
| Mike | Meighan | Treasurer |
| Chris | Nolan | Secretary & Sail Training Committee Char |
| John | Nadeau | Safety and Ships Operations Committee Chair |
| Patti | Lock | Nominating Committee Chair |
| Stefan | Edick | Nominating Committee Chair |
| Open | Race & Rally Committee Chair | |
| Aaron | Singh | Member at Large |
| Sarah | Armour | Member at Large |
| Stuart | Gilfillen | Staff Liaison |
Members of the Fund Development Committee shall include the following members of the Executive Committee: Tall Ships America Chair, one Vice-Chair, Treasurer and other individuals necessary to carry out the Committee’s duties. The Fund Development Committee shall be responsible for annual and long-term campaigns to secure the funds necessary to operate the organization. Duties shall include, but not be limited to the development and expansion of:
(a) Donor Development
(b) Annual Appeal
(c) Sponsorships
(d) Grant Applications
(e) Special Events as Fund Raisers
(f) Gifts-in-Kind
(g) Recommendations to the board regarding licensing of ASTA registered marks and logos
(h) Growth, development and support of a suitable tradeshow exhibit
| First | Last | Role | |
| Mark | Buzby | Chair | |
| Simon | Colley | Member | |
| Chase | Jackson | Member | |
| Harry | Graves | Member | |
| Rob | Ouellette | Member | |
| Bruce | Heyman | Member | |
| Stu | Gilfillen | Staff Liason |
The Nominating Committee shall consist of such a number, not less than seven and not more than nine, as may from time to time be fixed by the Board of Directors. Its Chair shall be a Director who shall be appointed by the Board of Directors. Four seats shall be appointed by the Executive Committee and be filled by Directors who have, so far as possible, served two terms and who evenly represent the standing committees. The remaining seats need not be Directors and may be appointed by the Executive Committee in consultation with the Executive Director.
| First Name | Last Name | Role |
| Simon | Colley | Chair |
| Mark | Buzby | Member |
| Chase | Jackson | Member |
| James | Kerr | Member |
| Stuart | Gilfillen | Staff Liason |
Shall be responsible for duties including (but not limited to) the following:
(a) Development and recommendations to the Board of Directors guidelines for safety in design, construction and operation of sailing vessels
(b) Advocate for sail training industry with regulatory agencies especially in relation to the interpretation of safety standards and regulations for sailing craft
(c) Institution of appropriate forums for regular communication and dialogue among Tall Ships America member vessel owners, operators and other and shipboard personnel
(d) Research and recommendation of services to be facilitated by Tall Ships America, for the development of professional crew
(e) Institutionalization and support of the International Safety Forum
| First | Last | Role |
| William | Sabatini | Chair |
| Patti | Lock | Member |
| Stefan | Edick | Member |
| Erin | Short | Staff Liason |
| Stu | Gilfillen | Staff Liason |
(a) Development and recommendation to the Board of Directors, guidelines for instruction and administration of educational programs
(b) Development and periodic update of the Syllabus and Logbook
(c) Representation of Tall Ships America at appropriate educational conferences/meetings
(d) Development and recommendation of ways for Tall Ships America to promulgate the benefits of Sail Training as experiential education
(e) Planning and implementation of the Annual Conference
(f) Recommendations to the Board of candidates for Tall Ships America’s annual and special awards. These nominations should be made in conjunction with the Executive Director and appropriate Committee Chairs.
| First Name | Last Name | Role |
| Chris | Nolan | Chair |
| Marcus | Asante | Member |
| Mike | Meighan | Member |
| Mike | Pete | Tebeau |
| Michael | Turdo | Member |
| Aaron | Singh | Member |
| John | Nadeau | Member |
| Stu | Gilfillen | Staff Liason |
| Nicolas | Hardisty | Staff Liason |
Shall be responsible for duties including (but not limited to) the following:
(a) Development and recommendations to the Board of Directors guidelines for safety in design, construction and operation of sailing vessels
(b) Advocate for sail training industry with regulatory agencies especially in relation to the interpretation of safety standards and regulations for sailing craft
(c) Institution of appropriate forums for regular communication and dialogue among Tall Ships America member vessel owners, operators and other and shipboard personnel
(d) Research and recommendation of services to be facilitated by Tall Ships America, for the development of professional crew
(e) Institutionalization and support of the International Safety Forum
| First | Last |
| John | Nadeau, Chair |
| Sarah | Armour |
| Jonathan | Boulware |
| Simon | Colley |
| Jennifer | Haddock |
| Jonathan | Kabak |
| Rick | Miller |
| Mark | Scibinico |
| Jamie | Trost |
| Travis | Yates |
There shall be a body to be known as the Commodores Council and Advisory Board (“CCAB”). The function of said CCAB shall be to provide insight and experience from points of view supplemental to the experience base of the Board, and to advise and assist the Directors in the management of the corporate affairs and perform such other duties as the Directors may from time to time allocate. Each past chair or co-chair of the Corporation shall be designated as a Commodore and shall be eligible for membership as of right on the CCAB. Each Commodore’s right of membership shall be effective when s/he notifies the Executive Director that s/he accepts a seat on the CCAB.
