From the Commodore: I see a bright future

My term as your Commodore is ending, and as I look back, I must give a heartfelt thank-you to our incredible Bridge, our Committee Chairs, our Port Captains, the GLCCSchool team, and our countless volunteers who quietly keep this Club running. You are the heart of this organization. I am proud to have led our Club these past two years. 

At this year’s Annual General Membership meeting in Toledo, OH, members will elect a new Commodore and leadership team. I fully support our proposed slate of officers: Craig Shantz and Amy Babinchak as Commodore and Vice Commodore, along with Bill Ditty as Secretary and Niels Jensen continuing as Treasurer. I am confident they will continue to propel the GLCC forward. I could not be more excited about what lies ahead.

Our Club is strong. It has a stable membership, an outstanding GLCCSchool, a full calendar of rallies and Rendezvous, and, most importantly, a community whose members genuinely look out for one another. When these new leaders step into their roles, they will inherit something special. I have every confidence this team will take the Club to an even brighter future.

It has been my honor to be Commodore these past two years. I now happily step into my new role leading the Great Lakes Foundation and cheering on this great Club from our boat’s cockpit.

I look forward to next summer’s boating season. Just as I look forward to this winter at our home in Ann Arbor, MI, where I, with my wife, Karen, and our two grown children, (when they can visit) Meredith and James, have always been most at home.

As I depart this role, I thank you for your trust. I thank you for your friendship. And I thank you for making the Great Lakes Cruising Club the finest freshwater sailing community in the world.

Fair winds, always.

Joe McKeown

Commodore, Great Lakes Cruising Club