Your Club’s Rear Commodores have the answers you need

By Rear Commodore Dee McClure

Ahoy and happy holidays! 2025 is now in the books, and we look forward to another active cruising year ahead.

In 2026, you’ll see lots of events, the traditional favorites plus others. Based on the popularity of the pop-up events last year, we’ll be looking to expand these one-day activities, offering opportunities for engagement in winter and summer.

As a GLCC member, you can be sure that you and your family will be welcomed anywhere you cruise on the Great Lakes. Our membership is divided up between eight Rear Commodores covering all the Great Lakes. Region 99 covers all areas outside the Great Lakes.

The Rear Commodore in each region works with members to promote events in that region and support local Port Captains. The illustration here reflects which region you fall into, based on where your boat rests. The Rear Commodores, as well as Port Captains, are great resources for any member.

Here’s a brief introduction to each. If you have questions or need them, don’t hesitate to reach out to them.

Region 10 – Lake Superior – Nelson Stone

Region 21 – Lake Michigan – NW and SW – Larry Hunter-Blank

Region 27 – Lake Michigan – SE – Milt Fuehrer

Region 33 – North Channel, Georgian Bay and Lake Huron Canadian side – Dave Spencer

Region 39 – Lake Michigan, NE and Lake Huron NW – Dee McClure

Region 47 – Detroit/Saginaw Bay – Rob Hillman

Region 53 – Lake Erie – Jim Ehrman

Region 35 – Lake Ontario – Eric Sunstrum

Region 99 – Commodore Joe McKeown

Nelson Stone (Region 10 – Lake Superior)

Nelson Stone is a lifelong sailor who loves wilderness-type boating on Lake Superior. He berths at Silver Bay, MN (S-185). He is the auctioneer extraordinaire at GLCC Bilge Auctions. He is a retired pastor and college professor. Boat: S/V Annie B. Stone. Email: nstone812@gmail.com

Larry Hunter-Blank (Region 21- Lake Michigan NW and SW)

Larry Hunter-Blank is the newly appointed Rear Commodore berthing at Belmont Harbor-Chicago (M-39). He recently completed the Down East Loop. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have cruised in all five Great Lakes. Larry is a retired insurance executive. His memorable email signature is: “First mate and Court Jester to the Queen.” Boat: S/V QE II. Email: s.v.qeii@gmail.com

Milt Fuehrer (Region 27 – Lake Michigan SE)

Milt Fuehrer berths in Muskegon, MI (M-22). His parents were members of GLCC for 35 years. He owns five boats, but do they all “count”? Milt solo sails when family members are not available and enjoys racing in South Shore Yacht Club Queen’s Cup Races. He says he’s “trying” to retire as a CEO in food industry. Boat: S/V Knot Kiddin. Email: mfuehrer1@gmail.com

Dave Spencer (Region 33 – North Channel, Georgian Bay and Lake Huron Canadian side)

Dave Spencer berths in Midland, ON (GB-22). He is Port Captain of Lion’s Head, ON (GB-7), a GLCCSchool team member and presenter, and the go-to-person for any questions relating to the North Channel/Georgian Bay. He presents on the subject at the Toronto International Boat Show and helps organize North Channels Wilderness rallies. Dave is a retired engineering manager. Boat: S/V Good Idea. Email: spencerdd@gmail.com

Dee McClure (Regino 39 – Lake Michigan NE and Lake Huron NW)

Dee McClure is Port Captain for her home port of Suttons Bay, MI (M-11), a GLCCSchool team member, and Lifeline newsletter committee “wrangler.” Dee is a lifelong sailor who has expanded her boating experiences to now include M/V Seaquel. She is a retired commercial lender. Email: waterbeachsail@gmail.com

Rob Hillman (Region 47-Detroit/Saginaw Bay)

Rob Hillman is Port Captain at Presque Isle, MI (H-70). He also is a GLCCSchool team member, a YouTube content creator and presenter, and Club Digital Marketing team member. Boat: S/V Windshadow. Rob is retired. Email: robhillman@email.com

Jim Ehrman (Region 53- Lake Erie)

Jim Ehrman berths in Sandusky, OH (E-16) and is Port Captain of Lorain, OH (E-13). Jim is past Chair of the popular and highly creative Lake Erie Rallies. He is a retired firefighter and paramedic. Boat: M/V La Dolce Vita. Email: jimsmarine@neo.rr.com

Eric Sunstrum (Region 35 – Lake Ontario)

Eric Sunstrum berths in Gananoque, ON (SLR-15). He is Port Captain of the Thousand Island Region, ON (SLR-11 to SLR-50). Eric also is a GLCCSchool presenter, a Lifeline Committee member, and Club Communications Chair. Along with his wife, Cynthia, he coordinates the popular Toronto International Boat Show meetup dinner and the Lake Ontario Rally. Eric is retired. Boat: S/V Northern Whisper. Email: ericsunstrum@gmail.com

Commodore Joe McKeown (Region 99 – outside Great Lakes)

Joe McKeown berths in Duncan Bay, MI (H-74.5). He is Port Captain of Sarnia and Point Edward, ON (D-3 and H-2). As Commodore, Joe oversees all GLCC committees. He is a lifelong sailor, spending as much time cruising as possible while working in global marketing and partnerships with emphasis on events and sports marketing. Boat: S/V Azure Mer. Email: mckeown.joe@gmail.com