Bill Goggins elected Sail America’s new President

by Sail America on 10 Jan 2008 Bill Goggins, commercial manager at Harken Yacht Equipment, has been elected president of Sail America, the trade association for the U.S. sailing industry. His two-year term began Jan. 1, 2008.

'To be asked to lead an organization like Sail America is an honor,' said Goggins. 'I plan to inject some of my own-communications-based style and high energy management into the leadership of this great organization. There is a lot to do, but thanks to Bill Bolin’s leadership, Sail America has a fantastic foundation on which we can build upon in the future.'

Goggins said the sailing industry owes Bolin, Sail America’s outgoing president, a debt of gratitude for keeping Sail America 'on course while rebuilding a crew that is one of the best Sail America has ever seen.' He added, 'With this team in place my job is simply to get them looking upwind for the next shifts and preparing for the next tack. It will be good.'

Goggins will work with Sail America’s Board of Directors and Executive Director Jonathan Banks to set the course for producing the organization’s four Strictly Sail® boat shows, SailFest events, and many marketing and communications initiatives, all of which are designed to promote the sailing lifestyle and create a strong and sustainable market for sailing-related products and services.

In welcoming him to the board, Banks said that Goggins has already made an enormous contribution to Sail America as a member of the Board of Directors and in his role as VP of the Marketing Committee. 'Bill’s positive attitude, his passion for sailing, and his world-class background in sales and marketing at Harken Yacht Equipment will be a terrific asset to Sail America,' said Banks.

In his role as president of Sail America, Goggins will focus on strengthening the organization’s financial health, improving communications with staff, committees, exhibitors and members, and strengthening partnerships with NMMA and other marine organizations. 'We need to think collaboratively and commit to excellence,' said Goggins. 'With the fantastic group of industry volunteers and Board of Directors, combined with the 'right leader' in Executive Director Jonathan Banks, Sail America has the ability to successfully navigate the sailing industry into a promising future,' added Goggins.

Goggins’ company, Harken, and its founders Peter and Olaf Harken, have been involved with Sail America since it was founded in 1990, with Olaf Harken serving as Sail America’s first president. Said Goggins: 'Harken’s involvement in Sail America has helped shape Harken’s role in the U.S. marketplace, and helped us understand our own position better globally. I want to encourage each of the companies that supply products or services to sailors to take an active role in Sail America. Their participation, at any level, will benefit their businesses and our organization as a whole.'

Goggins was born in Maryland and started sailing on the Chesapeake Bay. After moving to Milwaukee, WI, he continued sailing competitively in one designs and keelboats on the Great Lakes and worldwide. He races Lasers weekly and looks forward to sailing his newest sailboat, an A-Class Catamaran.

Prior to joining Harken, Goggins worked through graduate school at a local Milwaukee-based advertising agency that specialized in outdoor sports. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree and Master of Business Administration degree at Marquette University, where he met his wife, Susan. The couple recently welcomed their first child, Jack, to their family on December 11, 2007