It has been an exciting 3 years as President of the International Lightning Class. The class has a lot of momentum right now with so many ongoing projects and initiates in place. Below is a partial list, highlighting some of the things WE (it takes a village of volunteers!) are working on and/or accomplished:

U32 was born!! 3rd annual U32 Invitational Regatta this year in Charleston!!
Shipping AUS/Edwards boats to Europe; keeping the class international
Fuel The Flash 2030 initiative to raise $800,000, build new Molds, and secure the future of the class. We are squarely focused on 2038, our 100th anniversary.
Established an International Lightning Class Hall of Fame (HOF) as well as partnered with the Finger Lakes Boating Museum (FLBM) for a physical class Hall of Fame space at the museum
Bertie Werley’s presence on the EC has been a game changer for the class.
Created a Finance Committee to work with the class treasurer (Bertie Werley) and oversee the influx of funds due to Fuel the Flash 2030
LOYALS Volunteer Group Program
G.O.T. Flashes Challenge
Hiring of Carly Starck to revamp the Class’s social media and website presence
Recently hired Kayla Newman to help onboard new members and retain existing.

A lot of work ahead…yes that is correct. While we have made a ton of progress on growing the class and securing its future, it is only the tip of the iceberg. I am extremely confident, under new president Julio Velez and his executive committee, even better things are on the horizon. The best is yet to come.

While there are literally too many people to list, I’d like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank a few key people who are truly ‘difference makers’ in the class: Tom Starck (shipping boats around the world); Jenna Probst/Maya Weber (U32 leadership); Ryan Davidson/Ched Proctor (Boat Grant); Bertie Werley/Bob Shapiro (Fuel the Flash 2030/GOT Flashes/LOYALS volunteers); Bob Astrove (Classic Boats/ HOF); Carly Starck (social media/website); Mark Schneider (class growth)

Thank you to Laura Jeffers for her steady leadership in the class office and the strong relationships she has built with our members. Laura is talented, works tirelessly behind the scenes on behalf of all of us, and her efforts are deeply appreciated. I would also like to thank recent past presidents Todd Wake, Hugh Hutchison, and Bill Bogardus, with whom I served during my time on the Executive Committee. I’m grateful to Bill B. for his steady guidance and excellent counsel—free counsel, no less 😊.

I will be looking forward to my new role on the Governing Board – VP Youth World Championship. See you on the water!! Thank you.

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