The Annapolis Yacht Club (AYC) is pleased to announce that Susan “Charlie” Arms assumed the fulltime role of Waterfront Director on April 3, 2015.
In this position, Charlie will oversee all of the sailing and waterfront programs at AYC, including Junior Sailing, yacht racing, and yachting.
Charlie recently worked for the California Maritime Academy in Vallejo, California, where she was the Sailing Director for sixteen years. In her position at the Academy, Charlie coached their dinghy team, implemented an off-shore sailing team, oversaw a fleet of J/22s, advised the Student Sailing Club, and managed a world-class aquatics center.
Throughout her career, Charlie has received numerous awards and accommodations, including Yachtswoman of the Year from the San Diego Association of Yacht Clubs and the Yachtswomen of Excellence Award from the Southern California Yacht Racing Union. Charlie has also been ranked as 5th in the nation and 15th internationally for her in skills in Match Racing.
With her work as an International Umpire and National Judge, Charlie said, “I’ve been to Annapolis many times and have frequently worked with AYC for Match Racing competitions. I absolutely love it here. When I saw that the Annapolis Yacht Club was looking for a Waterfront Director, I didn’t think twice about applying for the position.”
Brian Asch, AYC’s General Manager, said, “I feel very fortunate to have Charlie join us and I am looking forward to working with someone of her caliber. Together, our goal will be to help enhance the membership experience, as it relates to waterfront activities and elevate the Annapolis Yacht Club as a leader in the yachting community.”
Charlie added, “I’m really excited to be a part of the Club. I hope to bring really high level events here, such as Grade 1 or Grade 2 Match Racing competitions, and I hope to help maintain the Club’s distinguished reputation for on-the-water emergency awareness by getting more members involved; especially, through non-competitive, recreational boating.”
In addition to her many racing awards, Charlie has also been recognized for her talents as a boating educator and instructor trainer, having received the Marty Luray Award in 2007 from US Sailing and being named California Educator of the Year by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA).
“Charlie has demonstrated the leadership and management ability the Search Committee was looking for as a primary attribute in a Waterfront Director. She brings a wealth of experience and expertise, including prior experience on US Sailing’s Training Committee, which will help shape all of our waterfront programs from curriculum development through implementation. I can vouch that she will be a great fit here at AYC,” said Mr. Gerard Vandenberg, Chair of AYC’s Junior Fleet Committee.
