Candidates for 2019 BOD
The below list is a running list of the 2019 BOD Candidate nominations received to date. Want to run? Nominations including the desired position, a short bio of previous SMSA activity and service, and a recent photo must be received and confirmed by the Nomination Committee no later than 5pm on October 10th, 2018. All candidates must be SMSA members in good standing.

Commodore

Jim Whited

Jim Whited

James Whited, member since 2004. Worked for IBM Corp, and retired to Solomons area. Have been the Keelboat Scorer, Facilites Program Chair (With Barbara and Bob Stratton), Club Treasurer for 3 years, and Vice Commodore for two years currently serving as Commodore for 2018 season. Began sailing in Chicago in 1977. Joined Chicago Yacht Club. Have participated in major sailing events on the Great Lakes and both coasts, also done extensive cruising. Current Boats are: Bad Cat - a J/111, and Heckle and Gybe - an almost ready Buccaneer 18. Major focus as Commodore has been the Youth Sailing program and clubhouse appearance. For 2109 would like to see growth in our on the water programs. Keelboat and Smallboat fleets have shrunk over the past few years. Cruising Fleet seems strong but should also be a focus.

Vice Commodore

Mark Gyorgy

Mark Gyorgy

I have been a member of SMSA since 1999. I have raced my keelboat, Wicked Good, with my crew of family and friends in both our informal and formal races and enjoy the camaraderie of my fellow SMSA racers. The Screwpile Lighthouse Challenge and the out-of-town boats that join us in the strong PHRF B fleet have been fun competition. I have been on the board of the Southern Maryland Sailing Foundation since my son Erik was a high-school sailor. Eighteen years later I am still active in supporting this non-profit organization supporting youth and community sailing and served as the SMSF President this past year. I have been a small boat dinghy sailor since 2009 and competed in the Buccaneer 18 Nationals hosted by SMSA in 2010 and 2015. I was the SMSA keelboat program co-chair and chair for 4 years. I enjoyed the adventure and the pace of cruising during my first bareboat charter in the Grenadines and this past year I had the opportunity to do my first offshore delivery. I want SMSA to remain a vibrant and welcoming club with great on the water programs. I am willing and enthusiastic to serve as Vice Commodore for a second year.

Rear Commodore

Robin Witte

Robin Witte

Robin Witte (and her husband Mark) has been a member of SMSA since 2009. Robin has served as the Rear Commodore in 2018 working with the Officers, Directors and Chairs to help make improvements throughout the club. She has participated in the weekly racing programs (Wednesday night, some Thursday night), race committee for the weekly races, skippering or crewing for the Women’s Series, and as well as special event races (Screwpile, Smallboat Invitational). In addition to racing, Robin continues to volunteer her time to the Social Committee whether it be planning, setting up, working the event or putting things away. She has contributed to events such as Movie Night, Luau, Buccaneer 18 North Americans, Casino Night (your friendly bartender), Holiday Decorating (Christmas, 4th of July), Awards Banquet and in 2017 received her TAM certification. Robin can be seen at the Spring & Fall Clubhouse cleanup days and helping with special projects such as installing the dishwasher at the bar, remodeling the bathrooms in the clubhouse, even coordinating a wedding event, whatever it takes to help keep our club in good repair and a great place to hang out. Robin (& Mark) are also members of the Fort Worth Boat Club (since 1983). There she worked with the social committee, was the scorekeeper for major club events (JY15 North Americans, J22 World Championship, Major Club Regattas) and was responsible for the first on-the-water score keeping in the early 1990’s.

Treasurer

Kristi Yurko

Kristi Yurko

Kristi Yurko (and husband Jimmy) joined SMSA in 2004. Since joining Kristi has been active in both the keelboat and smallboat racing programs as both skipper and crew. Kristi has previously served as the Women’s program chair, Social chair, webmaster, Secretary, and Treasurer. Kristi (and Jimmy) also volunteered as Junior program chair and have continued to be involved in the Junior program, HIgh School program, facilities team, and social committees. Kristi looks forward to having the opportunity to serve for another term as your SMSA Treasurer and continue her efforts to modernize SMSA business practices.

Secretary

Lowell Martin

Lowell Martin

Hi, I am Lowell Martin, the incumbent secretary. I am running for reelection. Marilyn and I have been SMSA members for five years or so. I grew up spending much time on Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island, both sail and power boat. Ended up in the DC metro area in 1971 as a result of my last Navy duty station but didn’t spend much time on the water. When Marilyn and I retired, we moved to southern Maryland in 2011. Saw the adult sailing course on SMSA’s web site and we were hooked. We have a 1981 Catalina 27 -- Blue Boat Home -- which we day sail and "race" in non-spin class. Looking forward to another term as secretary if you choose to elect me. Thanks.

Director

2 candidates will be elected. Candidates listed in alphabetical order.

Rich Freeman

Rich Freeman

Rich retired from the Army as The Director of the Army Environmental Program. His other peace time assignments were primarily in facilities management and environmental clean-up. He has also traveled the world advising the foreign militaries on military tactics, strategy, policy and relations. He served as a MACV advisor in Vietnam and as a defense advisor in the Balkan Wars, and served as the Chief of Staff of the UN Protection Forces in Macedonia. As a pilot, he has taken courses in air dynamics and weather forecasting. And being an engineer, he is very technically competent. He most recently served in SMSA as a volunteer for 2017/18. Rich has years of sailing and boating experience. Patty and I currently have a Boston Whaler Montauk and a Catalina 445. We have sailed from Rhode Island to Solomons, completed the DelMarVa twice, travelled to Cape May several times, down the ICW to Brunswick, Georgia and most anywhere on the Chesapeake. We both have taken multiple Coast Guard Courses, the US Sailing Association sponsored Safety at Sea Course and ASA classes. We are well versed on weather, navigation, safety and planning. We have been members of SMSA, The Corinthians and Catalina Fleet 12 and the Catalina 400/445 fleet for many years. Currently serving as a Director for SMSA.

JoeFrost

Joe Frost

I joined SMSA and began racing in Solomon’s Island in 1994 moving here from the Chicago area. I served as the Vice Commodore at the Anchorage Yacht Club and helped start their racing program on Lake Michigan. I am still a non-resident member of that club and their race program is still going strong in the Waukegan area.
I served as Race Governor for SMSA during 1999 and 2000, racing my Cal 31 boat Stargazer II. When I retired from American Airlines in 2008, I began cruising on Gemini, a Tartan 3700, to Florida and the Bahamas. I have made six trips south thus far to Florida and the Bahamas since 2008. I still enjoy racing occasionally on other members’ boats and competing in the cruising class during the Screwpile Challenge Regatta and previously in the Governor’s Cup race for five years. I have many long-time friends and acquaintances at SMSA and enjoy Friday evening social get togethers and other SMSA functions.
I would be proud and honored to serve as a Director for SMSA as it has and continues to promote sailing activities for all ages!

Lowell Martin

Andy Wilson

Andy Wilson (wife Andrea, daughters, Grace and Clara) is a first year SMSA member. Began sailing big boats in Annapolis in 1980 (cockpit crew on a Swan ’48) and instructed on the Navy 44’ Yawls. Sailed in Florida (Hobie Cat 18’) and San Diego (Beneteau ’35), and, before moving to Southern Maryland a few years ago, a 22’ Catalina on Skaneateles Lake, NY. Our girls have enjoyed the youth programs and camps at SMSA, and our oldest loves being in her second year on the High School program. I’ve crewed with Donna on Lickety Split the last few seasons, and have really enjoyed getting back in to Wednesday night racing! (our girls too!). Our family has really enjoyed the friendliness of SMSA and all the fellow members – and the chance it provides for youth and adult sail training. I would look forward to an opportunity to make a contribution to the club as a Director. Thank you.