The Staff of the WaterFront Center
Our Oyster Bay location is fantastic, but the dedicated people at the WaterFront Center make all the difference.
Dave Waldo
Executive Director
Judging by the number of people we serve, Oyster Bay and the greater Long Island area have embraced the WaterFront Center's (WFC) education and recreation programs, and proven there is a need for a community sailing center. We are excited about the year ahead and at the same time, proud of what we have accomplished.
In 2009/10 WFC made some big steps towards becoming more efficient, user friendly, and accommodating to all of our customers. It is important to stay ahead of the curve, and we are doing all we can to keep up with the busy lives of families, individuals, businesses, schools, and groups.
Our new website and online registration are two ways we have made WFC more accessible. Anyone can find all the information about our programs and register for them online 24/7. You can also check the weather and tide before coming for a sail or kayak, purchase photos, signup for our newsletter and more. In addition; our rentals are now available on an hourly basis, so you can come and go as you please (during normal business hours, of course). We have improved our marketing plan becoming more visible than ever. In support of our mission we have begun offering community evenings for families and individuals from Memorial Day through Labor Day 5pm to 7pm. Providing everyone the opportunity to take out a kayak at no cost or rent a sailboat at a discount.
The challenging economic climate motivated us to examine our spending with a fine tooth comb. After careful consideration we slimmed down and streamlined staff hours to effectively mirror our seasonal calendar, and re-aligned our costs. Moving forward we will continue to learn, grow and change, and make sure we always closely examine how to better serve the community.
Executive Director
Judging by the number of people we serve, Oyster Bay and the greater Long Island area have embraced the WaterFront Center's (WFC) education and recreation programs, and proven there is a need for a community sailing center. We are excited about the year ahead and at the same time, proud of what we have accomplished.
In 2009/10 WFC made some big steps towards becoming more efficient, user friendly, and accommodating to all of our customers. It is important to stay ahead of the curve, and we are doing all we can to keep up with the busy lives of families, individuals, businesses, schools, and groups.
Our new website and online registration are two ways we have made WFC more accessible. Anyone can find all the information about our programs and register for them online 24/7. You can also check the weather and tide before coming for a sail or kayak, purchase photos, signup for our newsletter and more. In addition; our rentals are now available on an hourly basis, so you can come and go as you please (during normal business hours, of course). We have improved our marketing plan becoming more visible than ever. In support of our mission we have begun offering community evenings for families and individuals from Memorial Day through Labor Day 5pm to 7pm. Providing everyone the opportunity to take out a kayak at no cost or rent a sailboat at a discount.
The challenging economic climate motivated us to examine our spending with a fine tooth comb. After careful consideration we slimmed down and streamlined staff hours to effectively mirror our seasonal calendar, and re-aligned our costs. Moving forward we will continue to learn, grow and change, and make sure we always closely examine how to better serve the community.
Jeanne Beyer
Program Director
Jeanne became aware of the WaterFront Center by building a Bevin's Skiff during the first Family Boatbuilding weekend in 2004. The boat is well used and between family outings she brings it in for the summer program participants to use on their rowing days. In the spring of 2006 she joined the staff as a Keelboat and Teen Dinghy Instructor. The following year she started in the yard rigging Sonars, continued as an instructor and began teaching Marine Education classes. With her aptitude for teaching and her prior experience as a Program Coordinator it was natural for her to move into the position of Program Director in 2007.
The WaterFront Center is an ideal place for Jeanne because it incorporates her love of the water, interacting with amazing people and sailing. There isn't a better place to be than at the WaterFront Center.
Program Director
Jeanne became aware of the WaterFront Center by building a Bevin's Skiff during the first Family Boatbuilding weekend in 2004. The boat is well used and between family outings she brings it in for the summer program participants to use on their rowing days. In the spring of 2006 she joined the staff as a Keelboat and Teen Dinghy Instructor. The following year she started in the yard rigging Sonars, continued as an instructor and began teaching Marine Education classes. With her aptitude for teaching and her prior experience as a Program Coordinator it was natural for her to move into the position of Program Director in 2007.
The WaterFront Center is an ideal place for Jeanne because it incorporates her love of the water, interacting with amazing people and sailing. There isn't a better place to be than at the WaterFront Center.
Alicia Martorella
Lead Instructor
Alicia enjoys nothing more than being on the water and sharing this passion with others. She has been a part of the WaterFront Center team for two years, performing roles as the Head Sailing Instructor for the Junior Summer Program, keelboat instructor and educator for Marine Education programs. As a US SAILING certified Keelboat Instructor, Small Boat Level 2 Instructor and Coach and Instructor Trainer, Alicia has experience teaching, coaching and managing sailing programs on Long Island sound for eleven years.
Alicia holds a BS degree in Early Childhood Education and Psychology and has experience teaching all ages in both indoor and outdoor classrooms. The WFC has ignited her excitement about community sailing, providing the opportunity to share her love of the marine environment and sailing with all.
Lead Instructor
Alicia enjoys nothing more than being on the water and sharing this passion with others. She has been a part of the WaterFront Center team for two years, performing roles as the Head Sailing Instructor for the Junior Summer Program, keelboat instructor and educator for Marine Education programs. As a US SAILING certified Keelboat Instructor, Small Boat Level 2 Instructor and Coach and Instructor Trainer, Alicia has experience teaching, coaching and managing sailing programs on Long Island sound for eleven years.
Alicia holds a BS degree in Early Childhood Education and Psychology and has experience teaching all ages in both indoor and outdoor classrooms. The WFC has ignited her excitement about community sailing, providing the opportunity to share her love of the marine environment and sailing with all.
Caitlin Chamberlin
Assist Lead Educator
Caitlin came on board in May, 2008 and has since taught as a naturalist for First Mates and Skippers, in addition to a variety of our marine education programs during the school year. She grew up in Seattle, Washington and majored in environmental science at Colby College. Caitlin is also a part-time naturalist for Nassau County BOCES, and a coach for the crew team at Friends Academy. As an experienced and enthusiastic member of our team, she enjoys exploring the marine environment of Oyster Bay with her students.
Assist Lead Educator
Caitlin came on board in May, 2008 and has since taught as a naturalist for First Mates and Skippers, in addition to a variety of our marine education programs during the school year. She grew up in Seattle, Washington and majored in environmental science at Colby College. Caitlin is also a part-time naturalist for Nassau County BOCES, and a coach for the crew team at Friends Academy. As an experienced and enthusiastic member of our team, she enjoys exploring the marine environment of Oyster Bay with her students.
Barbara Makowski
Admin Assistant
Originally from East Norwich, NY, Barbara has raced Blue Jays, Fireballs and Lasers as a member of the JSA LIS organization and has crewed on the weekends aboard Solings, Shields & Seabirds. In 1980, Barbara became a certified windsurfing instructor and taught windsurfing off of the beach in Bayville. "I never realized how much I missed sailing until I started working at the WaterFront Center," says Barbara.
Barbara has worked for the New York Racing Association and on Wall Street. For the past sixteen years, she has been a bookkeeper/office manager. Barbara enjoys swimming, fishing, tennis and skiing. She finished 4th in The Marion to Bermuda Race 2009.
Admin Assistant
Originally from East Norwich, NY, Barbara has raced Blue Jays, Fireballs and Lasers as a member of the JSA LIS organization and has crewed on the weekends aboard Solings, Shields & Seabirds. In 1980, Barbara became a certified windsurfing instructor and taught windsurfing off of the beach in Bayville. "I never realized how much I missed sailing until I started working at the WaterFront Center," says Barbara.
Barbara has worked for the New York Racing Association and on Wall Street. For the past sixteen years, she has been a bookkeeper/office manager. Barbara enjoys swimming, fishing, tennis and skiing. She finished 4th in The Marion to Bermuda Race 2009.
Lynn Basnight
Sailing School Admin
Lynn has been a resident of the Oyster Bay/East Norwich community for the last 15 years and was originally drawn to the area because of its proximity to the water. "Working on the waterfront is the next best thing to living there," says Lynn. She has raised two teenagers and has been actively involved with tennis both personally and professionally. The WaterFront Center is a perfect place for her to develop interest in a new sport with other active people.
Sailing School Admin
Lynn has been a resident of the Oyster Bay/East Norwich community for the last 15 years and was originally drawn to the area because of its proximity to the water. "Working on the waterfront is the next best thing to living there," says Lynn. She has raised two teenagers and has been actively involved with tennis both personally and professionally. The WaterFront Center is a perfect place for her to develop interest in a new sport with other active people.
Peter Braune
Dockmaster
Peter is a photographer by profession and a sailor for the love of it. What really matters to him is to bring people together and to share the things he enjoys the most. "There's nothing better than to see the light come on for new sailors and to help them get going or advance their skills to a new level in this sport." Peter is the owner of Peter Braunè Photography and brings people together to sail by leading the Tuesday Night Racing program at the WaterFront Center.
Dockmaster
Peter is a photographer by profession and a sailor for the love of it. What really matters to him is to bring people together and to share the things he enjoys the most. "There's nothing better than to see the light come on for new sailors and to help them get going or advance their skills to a new level in this sport." Peter is the owner of Peter Braunè Photography and brings people together to sail by leading the Tuesday Night Racing program at the WaterFront Center.
Peter Macandrew
Christeen Head Captain
Captain Pete grew up on Long Island but learned to sail in Maine as a boy. At age 14 he served as a cabin boy on a yacht in the Virgin Islands and it formed the direction his life has taken. Since then he has commissioned, delivered, raced, surveyed and restored vessels of all sizes. Pete has owned or operated sailing schools for over 20 years and enjoys sharing his passion for sailing and its history.
Pete has a Bachelors Degree from Franklin Pierce College (B.A.) and a Masters Degree from the University of Michigan. He is inspired by the spirit and dedication of the WaterFront Center volunteers, and is honored with the opportunity to be Head captain aboard Christeen. For the record he denies rumors that "Pirates of the Caribbean" was his life story.
Christeen Head Captain
Captain Pete grew up on Long Island but learned to sail in Maine as a boy. At age 14 he served as a cabin boy on a yacht in the Virgin Islands and it formed the direction his life has taken. Since then he has commissioned, delivered, raced, surveyed and restored vessels of all sizes. Pete has owned or operated sailing schools for over 20 years and enjoys sharing his passion for sailing and its history.
Pete has a Bachelors Degree from Franklin Pierce College (B.A.) and a Masters Degree from the University of Michigan. He is inspired by the spirit and dedication of the WaterFront Center volunteers, and is honored with the opportunity to be Head captain aboard Christeen. For the record he denies rumors that "Pirates of the Caribbean" was his life story.
Junior Summer Staff
Back row: Taylor Forster, John Schipper, Alex Hering, Greg Porter , Caitlin Chamberlin, Matt Beyer, Rohan Rao
Front Row: Allison Shea, Monique Kelly, Amy Basnight, Alexandra Zimmerman
Not pictured: Trish McCartin, Erin Baldwin, Jamie Pukerton
Front Row: Allison Shea, Monique Kelly, Amy Basnight, Alexandra Zimmerman
Not pictured: Trish McCartin, Erin Baldwin, Jamie Pukerton
