New Executive Director

Nicholas Craw (Morrison, CO) has been named the new Executive Director of US Sailing. He will take the organization’s helm December 15, 2001.

Craw previously served as President and CEO of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), a 60,000-member non-profit organization, which sanctions 2,000 amateur and professional motor sports events each year. Craw was responsible for the implementation of services to members that more than doubled membership.

Before his seventeen-year tenure at SCCA, Craw was Director of the Peace Corps and a two-time national champion racing driver, running his own team. He brings to US Sailing substantial experience with non-profit agencies and sanctioning organizations. Among other philanthropic activities, Craw has served as Chairman of the National Motorsports Council, President of the SCCA Foundation, and a Director of the National Peace Corps Association. He began his career at Project Hope where he served as Director of Operations and later headed the Department of Development and Public Relations. He is a Cum Laude graduate of Princeton and holds a Harvard MBA.

Craw is a life-long sailor, having grown up on Cape Cod (MA) sailing Cotuit Skiffs and later, a Sunfish and Laser. More recently, he has spent five winters cruising in the Grenadines on a Rival 41′ Cutter and 38’ Maracuja.

“For most of my life, I have lived on and enjoyed the water-on Cape Cod, Chesapeake Bay, and Florida,” said Craw. “It will be a delight to return to the water and be able to combine business and pleasure in such a great locale.”

“We’re excited that Nick Craw has agreed to lead US Sailing through the dramatic changes the organization is now going through,” said US Sailing President Dave Rosekrans

US Sailing engaged Russell Reynolds, Inc. (New York) to conduct the search; the company identified 125 applicants for the Executive Director position. “This was by no means an easy decision, with so many qualified candidates,” said Rosekrans. In the end, the deciding factor was Craw’s proven track record in circumstances similar to those currently facing US Sailing, according to Rosekrans.

William Placke (Boston, MA) has served as Interim Executive Director since July 1, 2001. “Bill Placke has done a wonderful job working with the members and volunteers of US Sailing to help further the growth of US Sailing,” said Rosekrans.