US Sailing introduces board members; presents strategic plan

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The US Sailing Nominating Committee introduced new members of US Sailing’s Board of Directors who were officially elected on Saturday, November 7 at US Sailing's Annual Meeting held virtually among US Sailing Board members, staff, volunteers, and members of US Sailing. The Annual Meeting was followed by an open virtual Town Hall meeting organized by US Sailing Board members and staff on The Starboard Portal.

The newly re-elected members of US Sailing's Board of Directors are Russell Lucas (Mantoloking, N.J.), Tony Rey (Newport, R.I.), and William J. Ruh (Del Mar, Calif.). Lucas and Rey will serve a three-year term, while Ruh will serve a one-year term.

Click the profiles below to learn more about the re-elected US Sailing Board members:

• Russell Lucas
• Tony Rey
• William J. Ruh

US Sailing would like to thank retiring board members Dave Perry (Southport, Conn.) and Bruce Burton (Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.), Past President of US Sailing and Olympic Sailing Committee Chair, for their service and many contributions to US Sailing.

From September 18 to October 28, 2020, US Sailing held its annual election to fill these three seats on its Board of Directors. All current adult and family members were entitled to vote.

Due to COVID-19, US Sailing hosted a virtual Annual Meeting on November 7, 2020 to officially elect the new board members.

Learn more about US Sailing's Board of Directors here.

Sailor Athlete members elected:

US Sailing officially welcomed Maggie Shea (Wilmette, Ill.) and Judge Ryan (San Diego, Calif.) as US Sailing's Representatives to the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) Athlete Advisory Council (AAC). The council was created in an effort to ensure athlete voices are able to communicate on behalf of their interests and protect their rights.

On September 21, Shea was elected by the registered US Sailing Sailor-Athletes as the next AAC Representative for US Sailing. Ryan was simultaneously elected to serve as the Alternate Representative and will work alongside Shea to support the athletes across our sport. The US Sailing Sailor Athlete Council oversaw this election with the assistance of our Olympic Program Staff.

With the conclusion of the Annual Meeting, the Bylaws of the association have been updated to have the US Sailing Representatives to the USOPC AAC serve as athlete members of the US Sailing Board of Directors. Cory Sertl, President of US Sailing, was pleased to welcome Shea and Judge as the newest members of the Board.

Shea has been a member of the US Sailing Team for seven years and is currently training for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she is set to represent Team USA with her teammate, Stephanie Roble (East Troy, Wisc.), in the Women's 49erFX event.

As Shea will be actively competing during her term, Ryan will play an important role as the Alternate Representative. Thanks to the four years he spent as a member of the US Sailing Team competing in the Men's 49er, Ryan will also be bringing his valuable experience as an athlete to the position.

Strategic Plan updates:

On Saturday, November 7, US Sailing delivered a presentation and hosted a virtual Town Hall with members on the new Strategic Plan for 2021-2024. The Town Hall featured US Sailing board and staff leadership who presented the new plan and answered questions from the attending audience.

"US Sailing's Board and staff has spent a lot of time over the past six months refocusing our strategic direction and considering how we are fulfilling the role and responsibilities of being the National Governing Body for sailing," said Cory Sertl, President of US Sailing. "We serve member organizations who are introducing people young and old to sailing, racing sailors of all levels in all types of boats and those striving to put Sailing and Team USA on the podium at the Tokyo Olympics. Our new Strategic Plan outlines three pillars of focus, including Olympic and high-performance success; member experience and value; and organizational effectiveness. These priorities will guide us forward to proactively modernize our organization, serve our members, and move us ahead on the path to excellence."

Access the new US Sailing Strategic Plan Overview for 2021-2024 here.