MTAM's executive director talks about his passion for sailing and his priorities for MTAM
When lifelong Chesapeake sailor John Stefancik was recently selected as the executive director of the Marine Trades Association of Maryland (MTAM), few were surprised. He’s served as a dedicated MTAM board member for 20 years during his 24-year career at Chesapeake Bay Magazine, including nine as co-owner of the Annapolis-based media company. Last month, we reached out to Stefancik to talk sailing and marine trades. Here’s what he had to say:
Tell us about your sailing history on the Chesapeake.
I started sailing on the Severn River on my parents’ Grampian 23 when I was three months old. They put me in a laundry basket on the cabin sole. Sailing was our family’s biggest activity, so we went out once a month or so for the weekend or longer on a series of boats: Seafarer 24, Catalina 27… up to a Catalina 36 (my parents were a boat dealer’s dream clients). I was always very comfortable on the water. Believe it or not, when I was nine, my mom let me sail by myself in our dinghies on Round Bay. I never wanted to leave the water… and started going to sailing school at nine at the West River Sailing Club, where I learned how to race. After that, I did the sailing program at Severn Sailing Association.
What kind of sailing do you do these days?
The majority is racing. I don’t have as many opportunities to go cruising, which is why when I get to go sailing overnight for a race, that’s really special. I mostly sail with Round Bay Sailing Association. I take care of a J/29 (for a friend). I do work on it and set it up for racing. One of the best nights I’ve had sailing this year was Wednesday (July 12). It was blowing eight to 12 from the south. When it’s 90 degrees and you get a nice breeze like that, it feels great. It was a beautiful night.
What are your top priorities in your new job as MTAM executive director?
Two things: to elevate the profile of recreational boating in Maryland and to expand our activity with workforce development to get more young people or people looking for a second career to consider marine trades as a viable career. There’s a big need for workers. We started asking marinas 10 years ago, “How many of you would hire a mechanic?” All hands went up. Finding new people is a big priority. (The marinas) can train them. All these marinas want new employees to train.
Anything else you’d like SpinSheet readers to know about MTAM?
The Chesapeake Bay, especially Maryland, is packed with marine facilities. There are as many right here as you’ll find coastally between here and Maine. Boating here in Maryland is special for many reasons, but important ones are the density of facilities and availability of work.
