FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
US Sailing Announces New President of Board of Directors for 2024
New Vice President and Three Elected Members Also Announced Following Annual Board of Directors Meeting
BRISTOL, RI (October 24, 2024) – US Sailing, the National Governing Body for the sport of sailing in the United States, is pleased to announce the results of its 2024 Board of Directors elections, held during the annual Board Meeting in Bristol, RI. A new president, Henry Brauer, and vice president, Laura Grondin, were elected to lead the organization into the future. Additionally, Matt Gallagher was chosen as secretary, alongside two new members-at-large, Mike Van Dyke and Bob Kottler.
The new board members bring a wealth of experience and a shared commitment to advancing the sport of sailing. US Sailing looks forward to a productive year ahead under their leadership.
US Sailing held its annual election to fill the open seats on its Board of Directors from September 3, 2024 through October 13, 2024. All current adult and family members were entitled to vote online. In addition, members voted in person at the US Sailing Annual Meeting.
Henry Brauer – Selected as President (2024-2028, a four-year term) – Henry Brauer is a seasoned private equity professional and a passionate sailor with extensive leadership experience. As the Co-Founder and Principal of Colony Realty Partners, he managed asset growth to over $4.5 billion, served on the Executive and Investment Committees, and led the Marketing function. In sailing, Brauer has held numerous prestigious positions, including Commodore of the Eastern Yacht Club and Race Committee Chair of the Northeast Harbor Fleet. A founding member of the J/70 Class Association, he has competed at the highest levels, securing top finishes in global championships. Brauer also serves on the Board of Directors at The Taft School and the Board of Advisors for the Peabody Essex Museum.
Laura Grondin – Selected as Vice President (2024 -2025, a one-year term) – Laura Grondin is a distinguished business leader and accomplished sailor. As the Owner and CEO of V Industries, Bingham & Taylor, and Hartford Technologies since 1999, she has guided her companies with strategic insight and industry expertise. Grondin is an active member of Vistage, an international organization for CEOs, and brings her leadership skills to the sailing community as Chair of the International Melges 24 Class Association. Her volunteer leadership spans numerous roles, including serving on the Board of Trustees at Bay Path University and as past chair of several influential organizations. A world-class sailor, Grondin has earned top finishes at major events, including 3rd place at the 2023 and 2021 J/70 Worlds and multiple nominations for the prestigious Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year award.
Matt Gallagher – Elected Director, Secretary position (2024-2028, a four-year term) – Currently serving on the US Sailing board since his election in 2023, Gallagher brings extensive experience in regatta management, big boat sailing, and youth sailing. A lawyer by profession, he has held various volunteer roles within the organization, including Offshore Chair and Regatta Chair for the ORC East Coast Championships and Worlds 2024. His unique journey from cruiser to racer and race organizer of prestigious offshore races enriches his perspective on the sport, making him a valuable contributor to the board.
Mike Van Dyke – Elected Director, Member at Large position (2024-2028) – Van Dyke was appointed to the US Sailing board in April 2024, filling the term vacated by Tony Rey. He brings extensive experience in yacht club leadership from his roles at Long Beach Yacht Club and Alamitos Bay Yacht Club, as well as serving as President of the California International Sailing Association (CISA). With a strong financial background from his professional career at Morgan Stanley, Van Dyke is deeply involved in various aspects of sailing, including offshore races and youth sailing programs, and serves as a key communicator for LA28 with World Sailing and US Sailing.
Bob Kottler – Elected Director, Member at Large position (2024-2028) – Kottler brings a strong commitment to serving the sport that has greatly enriched his life, having contributed to the Finance Committee for several years and more recently to the Compensation Committee. With extensive banking experience in senior leadership roles, he possesses valuable financial knowledge and a deep passion for community sailing, believing it can strengthen connections within the communities served. Kottler is also active on various boards, including Community Sailing New Orleans and the International Council of Yacht Clubs, and enjoys racing his J27 and participating in regattas as a Race Committee member.
Outgoing president Rich Jepsen reflected on his tenure, stating, “It was the honor of my life to serve the Association in this capacity and, while it was a bit tougher than I had envisioned, I felt lucky to serve in the trenches with incredibly smart people—committee, board, and staff—solving existential challenges for the good of all sailors. I’ll serve my traditional Past President ex-officio role on the Nominating Committee and will look forward to attending the next Sailing Leadership Forum in Coronado, CA, Feb 6-8, 2025. I hope to see many of you there!”
For more information about US Sailing and the Board of Directors, visit https://www.ussailing.org/about/our-people/board-of-directors/
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About US Sailing
The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), certified by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee as the National Governing Body for the sport of sailing in the United States, is dedicated to leading, advancing, supporting, and ensuring integrity in sailing at every level. Founded in 1897, US Sailing, now serving over 35,000 members as well as over 1,500 yacht clubs and sailing centers, offers training and certifications for sailors, instructors, and race officials, oversees national championships, manages offshore ratings, conducts regional and national events, and spearheads initiatives to increase accessibility. US Sailing also leads the training and development of the US Sailing Team for the Olympic Games and high-performance international competitions, providing comprehensive financial, logistical, coaching, technical, fitness, marketing, and communications support, as well as managing the Team USA athlete selection procedures for the Olympic Games. More at www.ussailing.org