2016 CHICAGO YACHT CLUB VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP Flag Officers 2016 Greg Miarecki, Commodore Leif Sigmond, Vice Commodore Lou Sandoval, Rear Commodore Charles Anderson, Secretary Nick Berberian, Treasurer Past Commodores Joseph Haas Gerald Bober Board of Directors Ted Anderson Sandy Curtiss Matthew Gallagher Frederick Hagedorn Ted Jones Jan Kramer Richard Lillie Dwain Lutzow Roger MacDougall Pat Marek Martin Sandoval Dave Truitt John Zienda
2016 CHICAGO YACHT CLUB EXECUTIVE STAFF General Manager Dwight Jenson, CCM Controller Kyle Babcock Assistant Controller Patrick Daly Executive Chef Larry Asher Sous Chef Silvestre Salgado Food and Beverage Director Kristin Aleshire Catering & Events Director Christina Barbaro Member Services Manager Melissa Harkenrider Dining Services Manager Terrence Gagala Membership Marketing Director Emily Giaimo Communications Director Morgan Kinney Human Resources Manager Daisy Aponte Belmont Chef/Manager Jill Dedinsky On-the-Water Director Jay Kehoe Keelboat Director/Belmont Dockmaster Chuck Nevel Regatta Manager Elizabeth Dust Dockmaster Colin Mahoney Employee of the Year, Head Steward Warner Robinson
From the Helm Welcome to the spring issue of the Blinker. This issue is full of articles about our passion - being on the water. This past winter, many of our members spent time on the water whether it was working on the Race Committee in Key West or racing in previously forbidden Cuban waters. Read about it all in this issue, as well as our plans for the season, including our new match racing venture with Chicago Match Race Center and the America’s Cup World Series. As we have known for decades, “the Windy City was made for this” – America’s Cup racing will take place outside Monroe Harbor. Read more about all things America’s Cup in this issue, from a recap of the Club’s Heart of America Challenge in the 1980s to the mini-profile of BMW Oracle team member – and fellow CYC member – Matt Cassidy. Plan on a full slate of America’s Cup activities in June!
More broadly, I am pleased to report that your Club is in excellent shape. Our financial condition is solid, membership is increasing, and we have a great deal of fun, excitement, action and community in store for you. Whether it is a full suite of Women’s Committee activities, our new Monroe Station kayaks, paddleboards and 420s, our Thursday night entertainment series in the Mackinac Bar, or many other offerings, we have something for everyone. Our superb management team, led by General Manager Dwight Jenson, stands ready to make your Club experience first-rate. Special thanks to my friends and fellow Flag Officers Leif Sigmond, Lou Sandoval, Nick Berberian and Chuck Anderson. It is a pleasure to work with them and serve you as Commodore. Remember, the water is calling you. I look forward to seeing you at the Club often this season! GREG MIARECKI, COMMODORE miarecki@chicagoyachtclub.org Congratulations to Commodore Greg Miarecki on making BoardRoom’s list of outstanding private club board presidents for 2015!
BoardRoom Magazine’s outstanding private club presidents exemplify the focus on the leadership responsibilities, the accountability and the management of the board, while providing a healthy respect for the club’s macro-management. They understand the importance of working, effectively and efficiently, with their volunteer boards and the dedication that’s required from everyone with whom they work. They practice what they preach – outstanding leadership to maintain best practices and an extraordinary member experience for their members clubs. ˙www.chicagoyachtclub.org
5
