STAFF

Jerry Hauprich, Executive Director – Born and raised in upstate New York, I learned to sail – and to love sailing – during my service in the U.S. Coast Guard. After discharge, I accumulated an engineering degree, professional engineer license and an MBA, then devoted myself to a career in the building design and construction business. I have lived in Baltimore for close to twenty-five years and, career demands notwithstanding, have always found time to be on the water because I just like boats, power and sail, racing or cruising. I am a member and former officer of the Baltimore City Yacht Association. A member of the Kent Island Yacht Club, I hold a Coast Guard license, 50 gross tons, power and sail. I have owned a series of racing sailboats, and now cruise the bay on a trawler. With my building design and construction career behind me, I am devoting myself to the mission of the Downtown Sailing Center, being particularly interested in the outreach programs and the fundraising necessary for us to continue to expand Baltimore’s access to the joy of sailing for all, regardless of income, ability or disability.

Peter Hegel, Deputy Director of Community Outreach - I found the Downtown Sailing Center on-line while studying Psychology and Anthropology at Washington University in St. Louis. Over the summers I taught sailing for the outreach programs until I graduated in 2002. After graduation, I moved to Baltimore and set up the Sailing Instructor Trainee program with assistance from other staff and the Board in 2003. In 2004 I left the DSC to pursue a career at sea. For the last two and a half years I have sailed in New York, Florida, The Great Lakes, The Bahamas, and 3000 miles through the Mediterranean, captaining 50 ft sailboats for an educational non-profit during the bulk of that time. Now I have hung up my captain's hat and am looking to settle down a bit as Deputy Director of Community Outreach at the DSC. I feel that the sailing center is an incredible place - there is nothing like this where I come from. People from all walks of life come to sail here. Sailing itself can teach so much - from environmental awareness to teamwork, self-confidence, discipline, and communication skills. It is an powerful opportunity for folks to share an experience - be it racing or day-sailing - across age, gender, background and ability barriers that would otherwise keep them apart. I hope to grow the outreach program to make it more effective and far reaching this year as deputy director.

Steve Maddox, Fleet Manager – It wasn’t until I was an adult that I learned to sail. My wife and I were given a 14’ Force 5 sailboat. We rented a learn-to-sail video and got some books out of the library. Although not the best method to learn, the sailing fever rooted itself deeply in us. We worked to get as much sailing experience as possible. We bought used boats in rough shape, fixed them up and sailed them. We’d then sell them to someone else and buy another. This got us experience on approximately 30 different boats from 14’ – 30’. In this endeavor, we learned to repair all boat systems; rigging, fiberglass, engines, and plumbing. Growing up in a family of contractors, I learned woodworking early in life. I put these skills to use in family businesses of furniture repair and refinishing, and later cabinetmaking. I also spent ten years in sales in the construction industry. We’ve always made a point to share our passion for sailing, not only with our children, but with anyone else we came in contact. In 2003, I joined Baltimore County Sailing Center as their summer camp director, and became certified as a US SAILING Small Boat Instructor. The position grew each year until I became the full-time executive director. In addition to being an instructor, I am also currently certified as a Small Boat Instructor Trainer, Powerboat Instructor Trainer and Small Boat Coach. As the US SAILING Regional Training Coordinator, I volunteer time scheduling and facilitating instructor training courses in the Chesapeake region. Although keeping the fleet at DSC is my primary focus, sailor education is my passion. I believe quality education is the key to making sailing fun, and making sailing fun is an integral part of quality education. I look forward to working with all the DSC members and volunteers to keep the fleet in top shape.