NSA Officers and Directors

commodore@neusesailingassociation.org

I have always loved being in or on water. I feel fortunate to have grown up in North Carolina with such a unique coastal environment which can be enjoyed practically year-round. I learned to swim when I was 4, started body surfing when I was 7 and surfing when I was 14. I was introduced to sailing when I was 4 and 5 at Camp Sea Gull which I was able to attend when my father was a director there and they had two bedroom cabins for families of the adult staff. Bought a sunfish in high school which I sailed through college. Took the ASA trio of sailing courses for bareboat chartering in my 40s, and then again in my 50s, since I had not been able to bareboat for 10 years after the first round. Finally purchased a real sailboat in 2015 when I lived in Wilmington. Wanting to avoid the congestion, tropical storms and inevitable higher home insurance that comes with living right on the coast, as well as to find a better sailing and cycling environment, I came back to where sailing started for me so many decades earlier.

 When I started searching for my first big sailboat, I was looking for a boat in the 28-32 foot range. I reluctantly agreed to look at a 40’ Bayfield cutter-rigged ketch to appease the broker, and the boat struck a chord. I can still remember thinking it looked like it was 80 feet long, not to mention having twice the number of sails I was used to when chartering (and 4 times the number on the only other sailboat I owned), and wondering what I had gotten myself into as I pushed off from the slip here in Oriental to take her down to Wilmington. 10 years later, and many hours of having its engine, transmission, canvas replaced and upgrading most of its wiring, electronics, pumps and plumbing myself, Three Quarter Time and I are now quite well acquainted and I doubt I’ll be getting a different boat anytime soon. She seems contented to be back home and this is certainly my home now.

 Lynn and I love sailing in the coastal waters of North Carolina; the rivers, sounds and Atlantic are ideal for cruising. We look forward to seeing everyone at this year’s NSA cruises and events!

Jeff Kenyon
Vice Commodore - Finance

 vcfinance@neusesailingassociation.org

 Erik & Jean Hardtle
 Vice Commodores - Communications

 vccommunications@neusesailingassociation.org

We have a retirement plan... we plan to SAIL! We are working the plan... sell the house... (done) buy a big sailboat... (done... 1974 Gulfstar 44) remodel it to what we want... (done) live aboard for a while... (pending) then cut the lines and the jobs and make our lives an adventure!   We also have a YouTube channel about it:  Sailing Knotshore

Then we joined the NSA and bought a dock (and house) in Oriental!

 Howard & Ros Cheethem
 Vice Commodores - Special Events

 vcspecialevents@neusesailingassociation.org  

Howard and Ros Cheetham have been active members since 2007, serving in several roles: Commodore (2013), VC Cruising (2010), and Treasurer (2022, 2023, 2024). This year, Howard and Ros will be serving as VC Socials, a role now referred to as Special Events.

We are probably best known for our circumnavigation between 2016 and 2019, which was well-documented in the Neuse Juice during those years. We intend to hold the VC Socials position for only one year, as we plan to be cruising extensively again in 2027 and 2028. So if you're vaguely interested in a bridge position come and help up with the events and see how easy it is.

Liz Mason
Vice Commodore - Membership

Pat Sordil
NSA Secretary

 secretary@neusesailingassociation.org

Pat and Jeff joined the NSA in 2005.  Pat is a past Secretary and VC of Cruising for NSA.

Having grown up in NJ and sailing on a Sunfish from the age of 8, she has had many years of sailing experience.  As a teen, she went to camp and sailed on Beetle Boats on Saranac Lake, NY for a few summers.  After they were married, Pat and Jeff traded in the family Sunfish for a Hobie Cat and then graduated to their first Tartan, a 35 foot yacht.  In 2005, they traded in the 35 foot Tartan for a 41 foot Tartan and have been cruising on that ever since.

They brought their Tartan, Calitri, from MA to NC in 2012 and now keep her at Sea Harbour Yacht Club.

Additionally, Pat and Jeff have done many bare boat cruises in the Caribbean and joined friends on their Amel in London, the Sea of Cortez, and the San Blas Islands.

Prior to starting her own business providing training and development to a diverse set of organizations, Pat was a professional secretary at Schering-Plough/Delbay Pharmaceuticals, Arthur Anderson, and Apple Computer.  Additionally she has served in a volunteer position as secretary to NSA, Old Front Porch Music Festival and Sea Harbour over the last several years.