As Stuart Proctor prepares to leave us for new horizons, the DSC Board, with input from several founding members and prior executive leadership, would like to highlight a few of his many accomplishments during his ten-year tenure at the DSC. Stuart tenaciously stood for the DSC through thick and thin during all the many roles he filled at the DSC. He had the vision and wherewithal to standardize and rebuild the fleet. He expanded waterfront access with kayaks and powerboats and was instrumental in the ongoing development of our beloved ‘B’ dock and the hoist pier.

Through two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, he was instrumental in keeping the DSC operational when other similar organizations were shuttering. His team kept the DSC safe with no known COVID-19 transmissions, due in part to his team providing pressurized water to the docks, enabling both hand-washing stations, and keeping the boat surfaces clean between uses.

Stuart worked with members and staff to create a comprehensive keelboat curriculum that rivals the best in the industry; under his leadership, the keelboat school has more than doubled in size. Summer Camp, too, saw similar growth, with every week sold out through the past two summers. He evolved our S.I.T. program (now CIT program) to connect youth from diverse backgrounds and he provided access and inclusion for underrepresented sailors through camp scholarships.

The Siebel Sailors Program, through a grant that he secured, brings performance youth sailing to our waters for the first time in over 20 years. In addition, the DSC female skipper membership has blossomed from 11 to 49 women skippers, and the racing program is forecasted to have six women racing skippers in 2022. He created the Junior Skipper membership level so that young professionals can join at a rate they can afford.  He grew the annual fundraising event, the Ya Gotta Regatta, raising over $100,000 a year, and successfully shifted to a single-day format that celebrates ALL DSC sailors.

But most importantly, Stuart never ceased to champion the importance of our Mission at the DSC. His passion for community service, social justice, and environmental action has been unceasing. As part of that passion, he was successful in providing summer employment to dozens of youth who have historically been denied access to sailing.

We wish Stuart all the best as he pursues new endeavors and thank him for his passion, hard work, and enthusiasm over the past ten years. Good luck, Stuart!