CRAB Board of Directors Elects Two New Members & Officers

Mike Huddleston © CRAB

Jake Iversen © CRAB

The Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating Board of Directors has elected Mike Huddleston and Jake Iversen to the board for a two-year term in January, 2026. The CRAB Board also voted to re-elect current officers for another one-year term.

In 2026, Will Crump will serve his second term as Chairman, Beth Rossman as the Vice President and Secretary of the Board, and Jib Edwards as Treasurer. Continuing as Immediate Past-Chair is Jim Nolan.

Mike Huddleston

Mike has been actively involved with CRAB as a volunteer and as a guest over the past three years. He is a retired GEICO engineering manager for the past 36 years. He led teams ranging from five to over thirty associates and contractors, with a focus on solving complex technical challenges and mentoring talent. Mike also co-founded and served as the first company-wide co-chair of GEICO's Employee Resource Group for associates with disabilities, where he collaborated with HR to improve hiring practices, accommodation requests, and career development while fostering a culture of self-advocacy.

Mike also serves on the board of Disability Partnerships, where he established a scholarship program and continues to advocate for disability rights. His volunteer work includes mentoring high school students, teaching STEM, and serving as a local ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. In 2024, he was named Mentor of the Year by Partners for Youths with Disabilities. Mike holds a BS in Information Systems Management from the University of Maryland. He and his wife of 42 years, Debbie, live in Severn.

Mike looks forward to enhancing CRAB's data management and IT services to improve volunteer and guest information collection in the future.

Jake Iversen

Jake Iversen joins CRAB's Board of Directors as a lifelong Annapolitan with roots in Maryland's maritime community. The son and grandson of U.S. Coast Guardsmen, he built his own seafaring career by earning an unlimited Merchant Mariner Credential from the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies. After spending several years at sea working in international shipping across a range of vessels, Jake brought his experience and skills back home to the Chesapeake region.

Jake began his tenure with Watermark as a captain, managing fleet activities, and maritime logistics before acquiring ownership of the company with his wife Laura. As President, Jake has overseen the expansion of Watermark's fleet and the enhancement of its guest experiences, ensuring the company remains a pillar of both local tourism and maritime tradition. His leadership has emphasized modernization while maintaining Watermark's legacy as a trusted name on the Chesapeake Bay.

Jake is an active member of the local Annapolis community as a member of the ownership group and Board of Directors for Annapolis Blues FC. He also participates on the City of Annapolis Maritime Advisory Board.

Jake is eager to support programs that strengthen community connections and promote accessible recreational boating. In furtherance of his family's maritime roots, he is interested in helping to expand inclusive opportunities that allow everyone to experience the joy of being on the water.

Find out more at www.crabsailing.org