A 2.4mR sailor competes at the Clagett Regatta in Newport, Rhode Island

Board and Committees

Board of Directors

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Stephanie McLennan

President and Co-Founder

 

Sarah Everhart- Skeels Vice President of on the water activities at The Clagett Regatta

Sarah Everhart-Skeels

Vice President On the Water Activities

Sarah is a former member of the US Sailing Team as a SKUD-18 Skipper.  She has participated in the Clagett since its inception in 2003.  Sarah teaches classes at Brown University and Boston School of Occupational Therapy at Tufts University.

Sarah currently chairs the committee at US Sailing for Sailors with disabilities.  As an athlete with disabilities, Sarah has taught other athletes with disabilities to snow ski and to sail. Sarah lives in Little Compton, RI.

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Vice President On Shore Activities

 

Nanette Gifford, secretary of The Clagett Regatta

Robbie Murphy Benjamin

Treasurer 

Robbie is a resident of Portsmouth, RI.  Robbie was on boats before she could walk and learned to sail as a young girl in Buzzards Bay.  She signed on as tactician/navigator on a race crew with the man who eventually became her husband.  They sailed, racing and cruising, for years on a variety of boats.  She graduated from Smith College and managed a family marine business in Newport RI. She is a past Commodore of the Ida Lewis Yacht Club and a member of both ILYC and the New York Yacht Club.  She has served on numerous committees at both clubs including Race Committee and is a certified US Sailing Judge   She has been Event Chair for numerous local, national and world championship sailing regattas. In addition to Clagett Sailing's Board, Robbie's volunteer activities include the Business Development Company of RI and she has been on other boards including Sail Newport, Seamen’s Church Institute, and the Newport Art Museum. Robbie is currently the owner of a small manufacturing company in Warren, RI.

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Grace Elizabeth Adam

Grace started sailing with her father at age 5 and continued to compete at the collegiate level. She currently sails a Shields in Newport, RI.

Grace has a BS in Marketing from the College of Charleston. She has applied these organizational, developmental, and financial skills to her career in banking. Grace has been an integral part of the event fundraising committee at Claggett Sailing for the past couple of years.

Carol Barrow, Clagett Regatta board member

Carol Barrow

Carol Barrow lives in Chatham on Cape Cod. She learned to sail in Barnegat Bay, NJ where she grew up. She is a National Judge. She serves on the New York Yacht Club Judge's Committee, as well as their Race Committee. Carol is also a Board member of the Cape Cod Maritime Museum, a member of the Narragansett Bay Appeals Committee, the Barnegat Bay Appeals Committee, and is an Advanced Judges Seminar Instructor. Carol is an abstract painting and photography artist, exhibiting her work at the Provincetown Art Museum.

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Bill Cassidy

Bill received his undergraduate and law degrees from Georgetown University.  He served as a Naval Officer on a Destroyer after college; as the Law Clerk to the Chief Judge of the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia; as an Assistant United States Attorney; as a partner in a Washington law firm, specializing in litigation; as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy; and as a defense consultant.  Bill raced International 110’s at the Ocean City Yacht Club in Ocean City, New Jersey, and is a member of the New York Yacht Club.  He and his wife live in Newport.  Bill has been an active supporter of Clagett Sailing. 

Dan Hatch, Clagett Regatta board member

Dan Hatch

As an Aquidneck Island native, Dr. Dan Hatch, PT, DPT is honored and excited to be a part of Clagett Sailing's Board. Having received his graduate degree in physical therapy from the University of Rhode Island, he opened NPT HealthWorks and NPT Performance & Recovery with a mission of helping individuals make better decisions about their health. These organizations provide reactive and proactive health and wellness services including physical therapy, mental health counseling, human performance coaching, etc. Dan's professional background in the sailing world includes head physio for SailGP Team USA, support physio for American Magic, and working with countless professional sailors over his 12 year career. Dr. Dan's passion is helping active individuals live a balanced, healthy, and more mobile life so that they can function at a high level with improved ease, less medication, and fewer doctor visits and surgeries. Outside of work, Dr. Dan loves running, biking, swimming, and golf.

Matt Hill

Matthew Hill

Matthew is a resident of Barrington, RI and is the Race Administration Director for US Sailing. A lifelong sailor, in his previous career Matt was a classroom teacher at the elementary and middle school levels. He is past Commodore of the Saunderstown Yacht Club and a US Sailing race officer, judge and instructor. Matt has been the Principal Race Officer (PRO) for a variety of sailing events for both youth and adult sailors. Matt has been a board member and Junior Programs Chair for Narragansett Bay Yachting Association (NBYA) and served on the Rhode Island International Sailing Association (RIISA) board.

 

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Liz Isdale

Born into a sailing family, growing up racing on Long Island Sound, Narragansett Bay, and continues to crew on a variety of boats in the northeastern US, Liz Isdale has saltwater in her veins. She has served the sailing community as a race official for more than 30 years and is a US Sailing certified race officer running regattas including both national and regional championships and club events for many organizations. She earned her BA from Wheaton College and her certificate in fundraising from Boston University. She has found her niche in helping not-for-profits develop their potential in helping the communities they serve and supporting their important programs. Liz currently works at The Potter League for Animals in Middletown, Rhode Island as Chief Philanthropy Officer. She is a valued member of the Clagett Sailing Development Committee. 

Brad Johnson

Bradley Johnson

Brad is a bronze medal Paralympic winner in the Sonar class at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens. At the Athens Paralympics Brad sailed with John Ross Duggan and J.P. Creignou. 

Brad is a practicing lawyer in Florida. He was also a member of the US Paralympic Volleyball Team.

Greg Kiely

Greg Kiely

Greg Kiely was introduced to the sport of sailing at 10 weeks old on Long Island Sound where he has been a lifelong member of Noroton Yacht Club in Darien, CT. Greg now resides in Portsmouth, RI with his wife and two daughters. Greg led the St. George's School sailing team and sailed on the Naval Academy dinghy team in college before becoming the year-round Head Coach at Annapolis Yacht Club. Greg is a former national chairman of the US Match Racing Championship Committee for US Sailing and serves as an active International Umpire and National Judge around the world. While all types of sailing and racing have been a part of Greg's life, teaching and coaching, as well as the match racing discipline have been Greg's greatest passions.

Greg runs residential real estate brokerages in Boston, the MA South Shore and South Coast, Cape Cod, and in RI. Throughout his professional career he has served over 500 hours per year on volunteer boards and committees, including multi-year executive leadership positions in a 25,000 member trade association. Greg led the National Association of Realtors efforts to expand Fair Housing compliance and training nationwide following his service on the organization's Board of Directors in 2020-2021. Currently Greg serves on the Board of Trustees for Pennfield School in Portsmouth, RI.

Greg is a member of New York Yacht Club and Noroton Yacht Club, and spends most evenings and weekends on the water chasing sailboats in a RIB or enjoying coastal New England aboard his Surfhunter 32 with his family.

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Karen D. Lloyd

Karen Lloyd retired as the Library of Congress’ Director of Veterans History Project in April 2021.  She came to the Library after retiring as a Colonel from the U. S Army where she was the first female Medical Service Corps Officer to receive Aviator Wings. During her distinguished military career, Karen received numerous military decorations to include 3 awards of the Legion of Merit for her superb and outstanding service. Since Karen’s retirement, she has been associated with numerous boards and associations including the Army Navy Country Club Board of Governors, co-founder of the Fort Rucker Community Foundation, Army Aviation Association of America’s Scholarship Foundation, Newport (RI) Historical Society’s Leadership Council as well as the Clagett Sailing Development Committee. Currently Karen resides in Alexandria, Virginia and Newport, RI.

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John MacGowan

“Johnny Mac” grew up in Manhasset NY. He graduated from Long Island University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. His grandfather and older brother Andy tossed him and brother Billy into anything that floated at Bull Head Yacht Club in South Hampton NY. 

After arriving at Newport Rhode Island Labor Day weekend 1970 aboard the first Swan 37’ in North America. Johnny knew where he would settle. 

Five America’s Campaigns, Admirals Cups, TransAtlantic, Trans Pacific, Bermuda Races, Maxi Championships, SORC’s, Key West Race Weeks, Shields, Etchells, Yngling, KYC one designs and others plus SuperYacht regattas/deliveries have made him a familiar face on the seen. He and his spouse Scotty Mawhinney have been volunteering with the Clagett regatta for over a decade. Johnny sailed with Tom Clagett ``Bubba” many times during the America’s Cup Training in 1977, 79, 80, 82, 83. He and Judy Clagett believe they met wet sanding Enterprise in 1977 as eager volunteers on the Williams & Manchester's Yard dock helping the sailing team prepare for the summer trials. Tom Clagett lived aboard his custom sailing yacht Anore adjacent to the lift where 12 meter yachts were hauled and was a towering, warm and important America’s Cup backer. Bubba was all about teamwork and being organized! Steve McGowan, an Advisory Committee Member, was the captain of Anore

Since this time Johnny Mac has established a reputation as an locally recognized oil painter and collected by many fellow sailors. He is a member of the Storm Trysail Club, Ida Lewis Yacht Club & New York Yacht Club & Providence Art Club.  He and Scotty are excited to continue with Clagett Sailing for many years!

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Heather Mason

Heather is a very motivated and accomplished professional with a lengthy background in
healthcare, leadership, and hospitality. With more than 30 years in the healthcare industry,
Heather is passionate about helping others. In every position she has held, Heather has been
known for her strong relationships, support of the community and building trust. She is
extremely passionate about living in Rhode Island and is incredibly active in the Aquidneck
Island community, including her work with several clubs and charities.


Heather earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Physical Therapy, as well as her Master
of Science in Physical Therapy, and Doctor of Physical Therapy. Her professional expertise lies
in her ability to develop long lasting relationships with clients, transparent and honest
communication, astute listening and attention to detail. As a licensed real estate agent, she is
eager to provide a seamless experience for buyers and sellers. Heather is committed to providing
a real estate experience that is far more than a financial transaction.


Heather and her husband, Michael, live in Portsmouth. When not assisting her clients, Heather
enjoys running, sailing, cooking, gardening and playing with her dog Georgia.

Timmy Larr, Clagett Regatta board member

Tom McGue

Dr. Tom McGue graduated from Indiana University School of Medicine in 1975 and then completed a Navy Residency in Family Medicine in Jacksonville Florida. Tom served 30 years in the United States Navy till his retirement in 2012. In the Navy he progressed from a clinic level physician to be the Commanding Officer of Naval Hospital Great Lakes, Illinois. During his Navy time Tom deployed to the Mediterranean and Black Seas, the Indian Ocean, and to the waters off Norway. Following his Navy career, he served as the Chief Medical officer at Newport Hospital. Tom is a Fellow in the American Academy of Family Practice, a Member of the American College of Health Care Executives, and a lifelong member of the Naval War College Foundation.

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Rod O'Hanley

Rod is a lifelong member of the Newport Community, and has spent much of his life in and on
the waters of Narragansett Bay. He is honored to be part of the Clagett Sailing Board, and has
been associated with Clagett for many years, including volunteering for the Fundraising and
Development Committees, as well as volunteering landside at the Clagett Newport Regatta. He
has often said, "There is nothing more memorable than meeting the sailors dockside after a
race and seeing the smiles on their faces and hearing the joy in their voices."

Rod is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design with degrees in Fine Arts, Architecture,
and Education. He taught Art and was Director of Art and Music in the Middletown Public
Schools. Upon retirement he worked with the Ron Alose Design Group as an Interior Designer.
In addition to his professional career, his affiliations with several Newport non profits include
Trustee and Board Chair of the Newport Art Museum, Island Moving Company Board in which
he developed and implemented dance education in the public schools, and served on the
Collections Committees of the Preservation Society of Newport and the Redwood Library and
Athenaeum. In addition, Rod served on the Newport Beach Commission, was a founding
member of the Middletown Arts Committee, served on the Rhode Island State Council of the
Arts as a Panel Member, and exhibited at the Provincetown Art Association and the Thames
Street Gallery.

Andrew Parish

Andrew Parish

Andrew Parish grew up on the upper Chesapeake Bay, sailing and running various water crafts up and down the East coast.  This led him to graduate from New York Maritime College in 1994 with a BS in Naval Architecture and a USCG 3rd Mate Unlimited license.  As Captain of his high school and college sailing teams, he raced PHRF and one design alike to a number of wins.  In 1998, he was appointed Pilot apprentice for the Pilots Assoc for the Bay and River Delaware.  2021 begins his 20th year as working pilot, navigating commercial vessels into the Ports of Philadelphia. 

Andrew began sailing Stars in the late 90’s, became an owner in ’02 and sailed his first championship at the 2012 Western Hemispheres.  In 2014, he was honored to chaired the Star North Americans at his home club of Tred Avon YC in Oxford, Md and in 2016, was honored again by the class to chair the 2018 Star Worlds.  He is an avid ocean racer as well, having completed his first Bermuda ocean passage in 1970, Newport to Bermuda in 1988, Navigator in N2B ’94 & Marion ’95 as well as watch captain in 5 other N2B’s.  He has raced and delivered boats extensively on the east coast. Andrew is a member of the Cruising Club of America and Tred Avon YC in Oxford, MD, past TAYC board member, helped managed the TAYC Junior Sailing program for 12 years and Co-chaired the 2010 USODA ACC’s at TAYC.  Andrew is currently the Commodore of Tred Avon Yacht Club. Andrew lives in St. Michaels, Md with his wife of 24 yrs, Christine, children, Adison (17) and Spencer (14) and 3 dogs. 

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Catherine Peacock

Catherine Peacock, graduated from the University of Oregon with a BA in Business Administration and Marketing. She took these skills into the corporate world and had a successful career in customer sales and services for CIGNA, Chase Manhattan Bank and Goldman Sachs.

Cathy’s love of sailing and her dedication to volunteering and her extensive board experience in leadership roles continues to keep her busy as a member of the New York Yacht Club’s Race Committee, Upper Keys Sailing Club, League of Women Voters, and St James Episcopal Church in Islamorada, FL. Cathy has volunteered for the Clagett Sailing Race Committee. Cathy lives both in Newport RI and in Islamorada, FL.

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Spencer Raggio

Spencer is a marketing/communications consultant, and an avid sailor and racer. He is certified as a US Sailing Basic Keelboat Instructor and Adaptive Sailing Instructor. Spencer has been volunteering with Y-Knot Sailing, an adaptive program on Lake George, NY, since 1999. He also volunteers with US Sailing as a member of the Training Committee and as chair of the US Sailing Para Sailing Committee. He lives in Malta, NY.

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Charlie Rosenfield

Charlie lives in Woodstock CT and is the manager of Putnam Hydropower, a small green energy
generator operating in Connecticut and Rhode Island. He has been a participant in the Clagett Regatta since its early years and travels to sail his 2.4mR when he has the opportunity.

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Claire "Vicky" Wiseman

Dr. Claire “Vicky” Wiseman grew up sailing on Nantucket sound in a variety of dinghy sailboats. She was captain of the Cornell sailing team and has a lifelong love of sailing, teaching and racing. Most recently she moved to Barrington, RI where she strives to share her love of sailing and is involved with the women’s sailing program and races with her crew of 8 women in the Bay and New England. She is also a member of the Nashoba Valley Ski Patrol. When she is not sailing or skiing, she works as a clinical psychologist part-time at St Georges School with her two Labrador Retriever therapy dogs. She is also an Adjunct Professor at Brown University and Roger Williams University. She is a proud member of the USCG Auxiliary in Chatham, MA and serves as the Public Education Officer. She has a PhD from American University in Washington DC and has held a variety of academic positions, including Cornell Medical School, Trinity College, and Yale Medical School. She was Commodore of Stone Horse YC in Harwichport, MA and is a member of NYYC.

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Elizabeth York

Elizabeth is a museum specialist, serving as the Executive Director of the Cape Cod Maritime Museum since 2020. The Cape Cod Maritime Museum preserves and celebrates the Cape’s maritime heritage, from material culture to marine biology. Having grown up in Acton, MA, Elizabeth has been surrounded by history since a young age, and it took a hold professionally. She attended Ithaca College, graduating with a Bachelor’s in Art History, and she received her Master’s in Museum Studies from John F. Kennedy University. Prior to serving as the Executive Director at the Cape Cod Maritime Museum, Elizabeth was the Director of Collections at Battleship Cove in Fall River, MA.

Elizabeth has spent most of her life in or on the water, as a competitive swimmer, in a canoe, and as a traditional gig rower. She enjoys spending time with her husband and son, and tending to her flock of chickens. She also serves as a Director on the board of the Cape Cod Young Professionals.

 

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Of Counsel, Christopher J. McNally

Chris attended St. Georges School in Middletown, RI and earned a degree in Marine Biology from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. He spent 15 years in various roles in maritime industries and then decided to earn his JD from Roger Williams University School of Law.  Chris successfully competed in the National Admiralty Moot Court competition, earning second place and recognition for drafting the Best Respondent’s brief. His practice at Sayer Regan & Thayer has a strong focus in Admiralty and Ocean and Coastal Law as well as Business organization, Land Use and Environmental Law.  Chris belongs to the Massachusetts Bar Association (MBA), Propeller Club of Narragansett Bay, Marine & Oceanographic Technology Network (MOTN), Cruising Club of America (CCA), Bermuda Ocean Race Organizing Committee (BROC), and the Maritime Law Association (MLA). Chris continues to be an active racer in various sailboats.

BOARD MEMBERS, In Memoriam

Judy Clagett Mclennan, President and Co-Founder of The Clagett Regatta

Judy Clagett McLennan

Judy co-founded and served as President of Clagett Sailing and The C. Thomas Clagett, Jr., Memorial Clinic and Regatta for sailors with disabilities.  The regatta is named after Judy’s father, Tom, who was a U.S. Navy World War II veteran who learned to sail on the Chesapeake Bay. Judy retired from the U.S. Government where she served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women under President George H. W. Bush. Judy served on the Board and Executive Committee of the Naval War College Foundation, the Board of the Newport Hospital Foundation and the Committee for Sailors with Disabilities at US Sailing. Throughout her life Judy was very active on numerous, International, National and Local Charitable and civic boards. Judy was a member of the New York Yacht Club (NYYC), the Ida Lewis Yacht Club (ILYC), the Newport Yacht Club (NYC) and the Tred Avon Yacht Club (TAYC). 

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ROBERT "BOB" CONNER

Bob was a past Commodore Ida Lewis Yacht Club; Past President Narragansett Bay Yachting Association; Treasurer US Sailing; US National Judge; International Judge (IJ); US 12 Meter (Liberty) Syndicate Member; Member New York Yacht Club (Judges Committee); NYYC Membership Committee; Past President Rhode Island Olympic Sailing Trials.

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Ken Brockway

Ken was a career non-profit professional having been a YMCA executive for 35 years. After retiring Ken served as interim director of the Newport Historical Society and the Redwood Library and Atheanaeum. As a Clagett Board member, Ken chaired the Governance Committee. He also was involved with the Boys and Girls Club, the Newport Rotary Charitable Foundation, the Portsmouth Public Education Foundation and the Red Cross Flag Day Breakfast.

Robine Wallace

Dr. A.R.G. "Robin" Wallace

Robin lived in Newport, RI where he had been the force behind developing Newport as a world-class sailing center for fifty years. Robin settled in Newport after he served in the U.S. Army as a Physician and ran his practice as a leading pediatric physician. Robin worked tirelessly inspiring and mobilizing the entire community by recruiting and managing sailing events, regattas, and world Championships. Robin served in roles to develop several yacht clubs, sailing organizations, and he has been a leader with US Sailing and World Sailing Association. He was the former chairman of the Rhode Island State Yachting Committee, the Rhode Island Sailing Foundation. He served on the Medical Committees of US Sailing and World Sailing. He also was a Trustee of the Stride Memorial Foundation. Robin was an active member of the New York Yacht Club, the Ida Lewis Yacht Club and Sail Newport.

Clinic/Regatta Working Committee

  • Betsy Alison
  • Kim Cooper
  • Sam Crichton
  • Joseph Dill
  • Tom Duggan
  • Barbara Ferris
  • Gene Hinkel
  • Les Larson
  • Karen Martin
  • William Martin, Jr.
  • Brenda Sorg

Advisory Committee

  • Schuyler Benson
  • Tim Burns
  • Julia Dorsett
  • Dan Dwyer
  • Chafee Emory
  • Jack Grant
  • Bird Jones
  • Jerry Kirby
  • Laura Leslie
  • John E Marshall III
  • Steve McGowan
  • Rives Potts
  • Tom Rich