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C. H. Ritt: President
Born in Marblehead, MA 1955 Graduated from Marblehead High 1973 graduated from Univ. of Pennsylvania 1977 22 years in the operational side of Investment Management 13 years as a painting contractor Competing at all levels since 1960 Past Commodore of the Boston Yacht Club 2005-2006 Cathy Cross: Vice President
I am from central Florida, where I grew up canoeing and kayaking, spending lots of time on the water. I took the adult sail class in 2023. After the class, I volunteered to help out. Our members know so much about sailing and boating. I'm constantly learning something new. I taught high school and retired a couple of years ago. It is rewarding to see students gain confidence through sailing that transfers to other life activities. Making sailing affordable to local families builds our community. Getting people out on the water develops an appreciation and respect for our local environment. I am excited to be part of ESA, working to achieve its mission alongside so many talented, generous members. Craig Borton: Treasurer
My wife Deanna and I are both from Onsted, Michigan, a small town in the Irish Hills area of southeastern Michigan. After marriage we both graduated from Ferris State University and fell in love with the northern Michigan landscape and outdoor activities. We bought a lake home and raised our two children near Cadillac, Michigan. Deanna worked as a special education school teacher and I utilized my degree in Accounting working in a number of management roles at a not-for-profit, member-owned electric utility cooperative. As a family, we would spend as much time as possible on the water primarily with motor boats and kayaks, but also dabbled with some sailing opportunities. After retiring to Florida, I searched for ways to learn more about sailing and came across Englewood Sailing Association in the fall of 2020. I joined ESA and immediately signed up for an Adult Sailing. I began volunteering as part of the ground crews and safety boat operators during the summer camps, the fall and spring courses, adult sailing courses, and the Lemon Drop Regatta. I have found the people involved with ESA to be very open, inviting, fun, and full of sailing knowledge that I continue to learn from as I develop and hone my sailing skills. Shawn Beeson: Director at Large
I grew up in Michigan, many places around Detroit. We relocated to Florida 2.5 years ago to take advantage of the warmer weather and outdoor activities. I’ve always been active in outdoor activities, gravitating to the “Silent Sports”. We enjoy canoeing, cycling, hiking, fishing, as well as Sailing. Upon arriving in Florida, I started looking for opportunities to sail, and happened upon the ESA compound at Indian Mound. Steve Rosen was there working on one of the Holders and was kind enough to explain the workings of the association as I helped him step the mast. Starting with the Wednesday morning open sailing, I realized I had found a group I wanted to be involved with. I showed up and got involved every chance I could, train the trainer, summer camps, adult camps, open sailing, and teaching on Slow Flight. I’m looking forward to increasing my involvement with ESA as a board member. Not only because of the reward in watching new sailors grab the tiller confidently and safely sail away, but because I also get the chance to sail along with them Mike Fijas: Director at Large
I was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. After visiting the area and my in-laws for many years, we moved to S. Venice five years ago. My children Michaela and Connor became involved in ESA three years ago and after seeing what a great organization it is, I started to get more involved as well. I believe my many years of working with the public and youth in the Theme/Water Park business will aid me in being of service to the ESA team. I am also excited to continue my growth of sailing knowledge and experience. Michaela Fijas: Student Advisor
I am a junior at Riverview High School. I have sailed with ESA since 5th grade. My favorite things about ESA are the welcoming community, the friendly members, and the support to do exciting things. There are so many sailing opportunities! After I learned to sail, I became a junior coach and now am a senior coach. I really enjoy coaching younger kids. When they learn how to sail it builds confidence and character. I am also on the ESA racing team. We race Lasers in regattas up and down the coast. I am also a graduate of the ESA coastal cruising program. We learned how to sail in the Gulf in a 27' Catalina. For our graduation, I skippered a 43' yacht on a 3 day cruise. My future interest: After high school, I would like to study to become an Environmental Science Officer for a large company. |
John Riehl: Immediate Past President
I grew up in Venice, FL, but I’m a relative newcomer to the sport of sailing, having started on keelboats in 2008. When I retired from the Air Force and moved to SWFL, I was introduced to ESA by another member. I was taken right away with the spirit of generosity of our members, who give of their time, talent, and treasure to introduce sailing to the next generation. It’s been an honor to serve in a leadership position in ESA, and I hope that this coming year brings our family even greater successes. Rob Naylor: Director at Large
I grew up in Minnesota. As a youth I sailed small boats with my siblings on a lake in northern Wisconsin. My wife Loretta and I raised our two sons in Indiana where I worked as an engineer in the defense industry. My first exposure to ESA consisted of watching kids clean up and put boats away after a day of sailing. I was impressed by the teamwork exhibited and thought I would like to be involved in an organization that fostered such behavior. Since joining ESA I have been continually impressed by the attitudes, abilities, and commitment of my fellow ESA members. Marie Naisby: Secretary
I moved to Englewood about six years ago and was delighted to discover ESA. It is a pleasure to be with people who have common interests and goals of sailing and teaching young people on the water. I was born and raised in NJ, and graduated from Douglass College with a degree in Music Education. After being married we raised three children – a son and 2 daughters. We sailed weekends as a family on our 25 ft O’Day on Barnegat Bay. During that time I was a piano teacher and church organist. Most of my sailing has centered around cruising and teaching on larger boats. I spent several years cruising the East Coast of the US and down to the Caribbean on Water Music, my Passport 40. While living in Maryland I taught cruising at Annapolis Sailing School and WomanShip. During my time in the Caribbean, I volunteered with KATS (Kids and The Sea), a program very similar to the program offered by ESA. I also worked as a Captain taking people on snorkel charters on an Egg Harbor 30. I am pleased to be a Volunteer and will continue to offer my help as needed to continue the mission of ESA. Mike Johnson: Director at Large I grew up in a small farm town, Southwick, Massachusetts. Leaving after high school to join the air force for four years working on secure electronic communications equipment at the Pentagon. Following my tour of duty returned to my home town, got married to my high school sweetheart, got a job and raised our family there. Luckily I found a local job with the Wall Street Journal at their printing facility with their new Satellite Operations department. This led to a move to Princeton, New Jersey for 12 yrs running their global data centers before retiring in 2014 after 34 years. We retired to our vacation home in Vermont but after one summer decided it was not for us and moved permanently to Fl, Englewood Isles. We still love winter and spend a couple months every winter in Colorado skiing, ice skating and snowmobiling. Both of our kids and (3) grand kids live in Colorado. We love Florida and spend a lot of time on, in and around the water as well as camping the various state parks. I was always wanted to sail and we would send our grandson to various sail camps in the area each summer. After finding ESA one summer I took the adult sailing course, joined the club and have since volunteered as much of my time as possible helping out. I love being part of this organization and contributing to making it the best possible place for kids to learn sailing and continuing to develop those skills. I have a deep respect for the knowledge and dedication that each ESA member brings to the organization to make ESA what it is today. I look forward to being able to contribute in anyway possible to make this as great an experience for all our students. |
