MEET THE SIX NEW SAIL AMERICA BOARD REPRESENTATIVES

Get to know the newest elected members to represent you on the Sail America Board of Directors! We welcome our returning and new members and look forward to a great and successful term to benefit Sail America in our mission to grow the sailing industry!

BOB BUCKBOROUGH – West Marine

Bob Buckborough has been with West Marine since 1998 and currently supports the Northeast Region. As Regional Vice President (Northeast), he is involved with all aspects of sales and operations for 110 stores from Maine to Inland Georgia. Bob began with West Marine as a Store Associate in the Great Lakes and has held multiple store positions. He moved to Florida as a District Manager and then on to California as a Regional Manager.

Bob grew up close to Narragansett Bay and has cruised in sailboats from Canada to Key West, as well as Bermuda and the Bahamas. Currently he lives back near Narragansett Bay where he is able to enjoy cruising in New England waters again.

KEVIN COUGHLIN – New England Ropes

Kevin Coughlin is the Marine Market Manager for New England Ropes, where he is responsible for global sales, marketing and communications.

Kevin has spent most of his career in the marine industry, and prior to joining New England Ropes was the Sales & Marketing Director for Waterline Systems/US Watercraft. Kevin also serves as President of Greenwich Bay Sailing Association, a non-profit youth sailing program.

Kevin is an avid sailor and racer at all levels and currently owns a J/30, which he cruises with his wife and kids.

GREG EMERSON – Hunter Marine

Greg Emerson is Director of Sales for Hunter Marine where he is responsible for managing Hunter’s sales volume and the North American dealer network. Since joining Hunter in 1978, he has held a variety of positions, including customer service and production.

Greg enjoys sailing with his Hunter dealers, testing boats with Steve Pettengill and chartering in the Caribbean. Greg lives in Alachua with his wife Susan and their two daughters, Emily and Hannah.

JEFF JOHNSTONE – J Boats, Inc.

Jeff Johnstone is President of J Boats, Inc. of Newport, RI.

Jeff and his team have been running the family business since 1988, and from their Newport headquarters, oversee new product development, worldwide marketing and sales, and builder and brand licensing.

Prior to joining J Boats, Jeff was president of J World Sailing School, a company he co-founded in 1981. Jeff was a long-time board member and past president of Sail Newport. He recently served on the board at Ida Lewis Yacht Club and founded their Junior Big Boat program in 2003. A lifelong one-design sailor, Jeff is active with several J one-design class associations, and competes on the J/24 and J/80 world racing circuits. He resides in Portsmouth, RI.

JAY STOCKMANN - Vetus | Maxwell America

Jay Stockmann is the CEO of Vetus | Maxwell America, with responsibility for operations, sales and distribution of Vetus and Maxwell products in North and South America. Prior to his current position, Jay worked for Lewmar’s U.S.-based operations as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

Jay grew up in Mamaroneck, NY where he started sailing on Long Island Sound. His passion for sailing led him to major regattas such as Key West, Block Island Race Week, St. Thomas Rolex Cup, numerous NOOD regattas, and lots of Long Island Sound Racing out of Sachems Head YC in Guilford, CT. He also enjoys an occasional bare boat charter in the BVI.

Jay lives in Burlington, VT with his wife, Michelle and two daughters, Sydney and Natalie.

JACK GIERHART – US SAILING

We are pleased to welcome Jack Gierhart as US SAILING’s representative. Jack replaces Lee Parks, who has been a member of the Sail America Board since 2009. Jack is the Executive Director of US SAILING and has over 20 years of sales, marketing, and general management experience in the technology and marine industries. An avid sailor, Jack sails both competitively and recreationally. In addition to circumnavigating Alaska, he has participated in the Fastnet race, numerous Bermuda races and enjoys racing Lasers, H12s, Shields, J/105s, and J/80s. Jack graduated from Tulane University and has an MBA from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. Jack lives with his wife, two daughters and son in Marion, Massachusetts.

STANTON MURRAY – Murray Yacht Sales

Stanton Murray has been the president of Murray Yacht Sales since 1991 with dealership locations in New Orleans, LA and St. Petersburg, FL. He sells new boats and offers full service brokerage services, representing Alerion Express, Beneteau and J Boats. Stanton also operates an American Sailing Association (ASA) sailing school and has been a certified ASA instructor since 1983.

Stanton currently serves on Sail America’s Executive Committee as the Boat Show Chair. He is also a member of Southern Yacht Club. Stanton lives in New Orleans, Louisiana.

WILLIAM ( BILL) E. MOSHER – Forespar

Bill Mosher is sales and marketing director for Forespar Marine Products, where he is responsible for all aftermarket sales throughout the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean.

Prior to joining Forespar, Bill spent six years at Boat America Corporation and nine years with Harken Yacht Equipment as National Sales Manager. From 1978 to 1986 Bill was the executive director of the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center. Bill currently serves on the Board of the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center and the Friends of the Lakes Shore State Park

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