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 and Port Captains to promote events in that region. The illustration below 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 contact 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 and Connecting Waterways – 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 well known as the auctioneer extraordinaire at GLCC Bilge Auctions and has been active in the GLCC for years. Boat: S/V Annie B. Stone. View his profile and contact information at:  https://www.glcclub.com/user/nstone812gmailcom

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

Larry Hunter-Blank is the newly appointed Rear Commodore and Port Captain for Belmont Harbor-Chicago (M-39). He and his wife, Elizabeth, have cruised in all five Great Lakes and recently completed the Down East Loop.  Larry has a most memorable email signature is: “First mate and Court Jester to the Queen.” Boat: S/V QE II. Profile and contact information at: https://www.glcclub.com/user/qeii

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. Boat: S/V Knot Kiddin. Profile and contact information at:  https://www.glcclub.com/user/hxppmwf

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 with vast cruising experience, is the go-to-person for any questions relating to the North Channel or Georgian Bay. He presents on the subject at the Toronto International Boat Show and helps organize North Channels Wilderness rallies. Boat: S/V Good Idea. View his profile and contact information at:  https://www.glcclub.com/user/dspencer

Dee McClure (Region 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 host and presenter, Communications Committee member, and Lifeline appointed “wrangler.” Dee is a lifelong sailor who has expanded her boating experiences to now include M/V Seaquel. View her profile and contact information at:  https://www.glcclub.com/user/sbsailor

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 GLCC YouTube content creator and presenter, and Digital Marketing team member. Boat: S/V Windshadow. View his profile and contact information at:  https://www.glcclub.com/user/windshadow

Jim Ehrman (Region 53- Lake Erie)

Jim Ehrman berths in Sandusky, OH (E-16) and is Port Captain of Lorain, OH (E-13). Jim and his wife Janice have been involved or chaired the very popular and highly creative Lake Erie Rally for more than 10 years. Boat: M/V La Dolce Vita. View his profile and contact information at:  https://www.glcclub.com/user/jim-ehrman

Eric Sunstrum (Region 35 – Lake Ontario and Connecting Waterways)

Eric Sunstrum berths in Gananoque, ON (SLR-16). 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. Boat: S/V Northern Whisper. View his profile and contact information at:  https://www.glcclub.com/user/esunstrum