Whidbey Island Maritime Heritage Foundation Maritime Heritage and Sail Tours on Whidbey Island |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board shall consist of not fewer than three (3), nor more than seven (7) directors, the specific number to be set by resolution of the Board.
BOARD MEMBERS AND THEIR TERM OF EXPIRATION AT THE ANNUAL MEETING
| President & Secretary I have been involved with the marine environment for most of my life. Growing up in NY I spent most summers at the beach, on the water sailing with friends, and learning to SCUBA dive when I was 15. I hold an undergraduate degree in Ocean Engineering and have held professional roles as a commercial diva for International Underwater Contractors and a structural engineer for the American Bureau of Shipping. I also bring program management experience from civilian space programs and commercial aircraft. Outside of my professional career, I am an avid sailor, currently owning a 1955 Nordic Folkboat and restoring a 1969 Eric Jr. sloop. It is a great honor to serve as a Director for the Foundation where I look forward to helping preserve the S/V Suva and improving the quality of our marine environment. |
Vice President & Treasurer |  |
| Maintenance Kirby Stevens, a former USCG captain, has a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from San Jose State University. His sailing journey began in 1964 when he set sail on the 65-foot schooner “Brigadoon” in San Francisco Bay, hailing from Boothbay. Over the past two decades, Kirby has resided in Coupeville. Kirby has held the esteemed position of USCG captain from 2000 until 2021 and has taught USCG captains’ classes. He was also a charter member of CMHF/WIMHF and served as the Captain of Suva from 2015 to 2021. "My interest in being on the Board is to expand the Foundation’s focus from just Suva, to include the Island’s maritime heritage as outlined in our charter, through outreach to the community by broadening our appeal to people that are not sailors." Kirby chairs the Maintenance Committee. |
Marketing Tim Neal (2026) My wife and I moved here in 2017 from San Antonio, TX to be near family. We joined the SUVA family in 2018 to meet other people in the community. We found crewing on the SUVA to be a learning opportunity and have met fascinating people in the community. My background in aviation and computer technology has given me the ability to promote awareness of SUVA. My experience in sailing was limited until I joined SUVA. Prior to that, I sailed the Turkish Riviera on a 35 ft Beneteau sail boat. I’m a strong supporter of SUVA, participating in training, marketing and web design. |
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| Director Emeritus
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Director Emeritus Jim is largely responsible for everything Schooner Suva is today. From the time of acquisition, he led the effort to form the 501(c)(3) foundation, coordinated initial Coast Guard inspections, and oversaw the physical modifications required for passenger certification. He also helped secure the pandemic-era loan that sustained us while we were unable to sail. From 2018 to November 2022, Jim managed the "Suva phone," personally handling all ticket sales and charter arrangements. In addition to serving as Foundation President and the face of Suva, Jim volunteered as a Senior Bosun in charge of crew training. He was a lead on the Maintenance Committee and served as our resident expert on the electrical system, which he updated. |
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