New leadership for Sailing Hall of Fame

The US National Sailing Hall of Fame (NSHOF) Board of Directors has elected a new leadership team to guide the organization as it begins operations at its new home in the Newport Armory building. The new slate, all directors of the NSHOF, will assume their roles immediately.

New leadership team:
• Gus Carlson, President: New York media and communications executive and offshore racing sailor.
• Tom Whidden, Vice President: America’s Cup winner and CEO of North Technology Group.
• Phil Lotz, Treasurer: Past Commodore of the New York Yacht Club, IC 37 class president, and American Magic America’s Cup campaign Board member.
• Doug Lashley, Secretary: Maryland-based banking and ecosystems services executive recognized nationally for his environmental restoration work.

Gary Jobson, outgoing NSHOF President since 2012 and Nominating Committee Chair, will remain on the Board of Directors.

“Over the years, these directors have demonstrated dedication to the NSHOF and its mission to celebrate the heroes of our sport,” said Jobson. “We are confident they have the capabilities, contacts and commitment to lead our organization through its next chapter, and we thank them for stepping up.”

“I am honored to lead such a capable team at this pivotal time in our organization’s history,” said Carlson. “We have an ambitious plan and an exciting new home in Newport that will become a showcase for our heroes and our sport. We have a lot of work to do, and we are eager to get to it.”

The NSHOF had made its home in Annapolis, MD since its creation in 2005, operating out of a building leased from the state on City Dock. The organization has been in talks for years to transform the site into an operations center and museum but were unable to secure funding.

An opportunity arose in Newport which prompted the NSHOF to purchase the Newport Armory building which they closed on earlier this month, assisted by a $200,000 grant from Commerce Rhode Island.

Carlson said among the operational priorities are renovating and outfitting the Newport Armory building, developing a more dynamic digital presence to engage a broader and more diverse audience, and organizing this year’s Induction ceremony scheduled for October 12 at the Seattle Yacht Club.

“On behalf of the team, I want to thank Gary for his inspiring leadership, especially in the last two years as we transitioned to Newport,” Carlson added. “We are also grateful to the City of Newport, the State of Rhode Island and the entire sailing community for their support. We look forward to building on those partnerships and making new ones.”

Source: NSHOF