Ward Steps Down at Sail Sand Point, “A Sign of our Success”

Mary Anne Ward May be stepping down from the Executive Director post at Sail Sand Point (SSP), but not completely away.

“It’s time,” she explains. “I’ve done what the Board has asked me to do, and now there’s a need for a different skill set. What they need right now is a fundraiser. That’s not me.” She’ll remain on duty until a new executive director is found and stay involved moving forward.

The official announcement is reprinted at the end of this post. But I had a chance to talk to her a little bit on Monday outside in front of the offices with a nice northerly keeping the classes engaged as they headed out for the day.

The story of Sail Sand Point is truly amazing, under-appreciated by the public, city and, most surprisingly, the sailing community. As the amazing Sand Point Naval Air Station was dismantled and passed on to the city of Seattle in the late 1990s, Jon and Marcy Edwards got a hiking boot in the door at the little harbor at the north end of the facility. It was perfect. In addition to the harbor, there was a boat house, a huge tarmac formerly for seaplanes and enough shoreline to accommodate a lot of sailing. It’s only drawback, if it is one, is that it’s not highly visible from the roads or the rest of the park. The first director, Deb Sullivan, got things going. I was there and even worked with her some. Morgan Collins took over when Sullivan left and did a great job increasing the program’s access and community awareness.

Ward came to the job four years ago. “I was hired to develop and solidify the administrative sub-structure,” Ward says. That’s now done. She has also dramatically amped up community outreach and built partnerships with groups as diverse as veterans and disabled kids. She’s integrated the STEM curriculum and has brought regional US Sailing events to Sail Sand Point. The open boating (rental) fleet is huge, including sailboards, kayaks, SUPs plus a plethora of sailboats. There’s an 8-use rule for the dry storage renters, so all the boats in the yard are being used. At any given time in summer you’ll see outriggers, paddlers, swimmers and sailboats sharing the shoreline. Personally, I race there on Monday nights with my son in a low-key and very fun, non-scored all-fleet series. It’s free, user friendly and we have burgers in the parking lot afterward.

The next challenge is a big one. The boathouse that protects all the coach’s boats and much of SSP’s equipment is on shaky ground, literally. The pilings and some of the structure are rotting or inadequate. They’ve held up well considering they were built 80 years ago, but now it’s the time to fix the problem. In addition, the Parks Department would love to give a large brick building (used once upon a time for fuel storage) to SSP, but remodeling it would be up to SSP. It so happens that that kind of space is just what SSP needs. They need more classroom area – the programs are starved for that kind of space.

“Four years ago we couldn’t imagine being in the position of seeking those kind of facility improvements,” Ward says. “My stepping down is really a sign of our success.” Nino Johnson, who’s been with SSP many times, will be taking over operations management so the new executive director can focus on fundraising.

There is no doubt that this facility is Seattle’s best chance at making sailing available to the larger community, and it deserves support.

If you or someone you know might be interested in applying for the executive director position, here’s the link: http://www.sailsandpoint.org/about-us/edapplication/     Let’s get someone committed to expanding SSP’s presence into that position.

As for Mary Anne Ward, she says she’ll be doing some traveling, including a river cruise in England with her four children. But she plans to remain in Seattle and help SSP as a volunteer “in whatever way they see fit.” And look for her sailing J/24s and Melges 24s.

 

The official announcement

Executive Director of Sail Sand Point Announces Plan to Step Down

Sail Sand Point, Seattle’s Community Boating Center, located in Magnuson Park on Lake Washington, announced today that Mary Anne Ward will be stepping down as Executive Director in March. Mary Anne joined Sail Sand Point four years ago and has led the organization through a period of extraordinary growth.  

Mary Anne came to Sail Sand Point from the Chicago Match Race Center where she ran such events as the World Match Racing Tour and worked with the Louis Vuitton World Tour.  Prior to that, she raced sailboats competitively and saw first-hand how sailing and being on the water changes lives. In 1994 she started an education company which provided K-3rd grade education at parents’ workplaces. With this blend of education and sailing experience Mary Anne has led SSP to where it is today. 

“It has been my incredible honor to lead Sail Sand Point for the last four years. Removing traditional barriers to the underserved communities of Seattle as well as teaching youth and adults the joy of being on the water has been wonderful. Programming has nearly doubled with over 11,000 users last year, we have developed a fully integrated adaptive program and participation in camps and classes is at an all time high.  With growth like this it is clear that we need to renovate our boathouse and increase our facility space”, said Ward. “Although I do not have the experience to lead Sail Sand Point through the next phase of development I look forward to offering my full support as an ambassador to the organization.”

Andy MacDonald, President of Sail Sand Point’s Board of Directors, said, “Sail Sand Point has been very lucky to have someone as passionate and dedicated to our mission as Mary Anne. She has led the development of a strong team of managers, staff and volunteer board members who are prepared to work together with the new Executive Director to ensure SSP continues to thrive long into the future.”

Sail Sand Point will begin the search for new leadership this summer.  The next Executive Director will guide SSP through its next phase of growth, including a major capital campaign to expand classroom space and improve the facility. The role will entail creating strategic partnerships with local government, businesses, and philanthropic individuals and organizations while maintaining a steadfast desire to fulfill our mission. More information is available at our website.