GBCA - The Place to Race since 1947

Meet your 2023 GBCA Board of Governors

Commodore, Chris May

I grew up in Galveston, and landed in the Clear Lake area after graduating college in 1997. Always a water sports enthusiast, I was introduced to sailing soon after graduating college and have been racing ever since. I have raced both large and small boats over the years, including J22, J24, J109, J46, Peterson 38, Melges 24, Melges 32, and Ker 43. I have raced mostly in Galveston Bay and near-coastal Texas, but have also participated in various national events as well. I have a keen interest in growing racing participation in the area, and helping to develop GBCA as a key regatta provider in the region.

I have previously served on various not-for-profit and corporate Board of Directors. I am currently a Director on the Board of the Texas Bay Area Lacrosse Association, an organization focused on growing and developing youth lacrosse in the local area.

Past Commodore, Scott Tuma

I was pretty much born into GBCA. My dad got involved in the early 60s. I've personally been "involved" with GBCA since 1978, at the old Yellow Clubhouse. As a small kid, I would help set up for parties, clean up afterwards, help organize the office, send out mailers, and help organize the race equipment. I was lucky enough to start my competitive racing with the Tornado fleet. I started racing my Nacra 5.8 and have been racing my Prindle catamaran since 1989. In the 90's, I raced with my dad on our Condor 40 and accelerated my competitive racing with on the Olson 34, Express 27, and J-24. My dad brought the first multihull into Galveston Bay almost 60 years ago. Since 1988, I have been organizing and running traditional (triangle windward/leeward), modern (windward/leeward), distance races, and off-the-wall fun events for a wide variety of boats and racers in Galveston Bay and along the Texas coast. In the early 2000s, I took a hiatus to raise my kids, and was able to come back with a different point of view for racing. I have an understanding of highly competitive, tight racing; but I realize that is not what maintains a club - fun events that involve family and friends do. With this POV, I am hoping to bring forward some ideas to strengthen GBCA's role in Galveston Bay as the place to race, and have fun doing it. I was the Race and Regatta Chairman for Houston Yacht Club 2015-2017, Vice-Charmian for PHRF-GB 2011-2017, GBCA Fleet Captain for 2018-2020, Governor for 2021, Vice-Commodore for Texas City Dike Yacht Club 2013-present, and Wednesday Night Races on Clear Lake from 2011-2019. Me being Commodore for 2022 is very special because of my passion for GBCA and my dad's second term for GBCA Commodore was in 1992.

Vice Commodore, Olivia Holzhaus

We are elated to have Olivia continue on the Board of Governors this year. Her business experience has been invaluable as well as her enthusiasm is contagious. You will more than likely see her and her husband Heath sailing on a wide range of boats and always the life of the party afterwards.

Rear Commodore, Amy Craig-Crowell

I was 10 years old when I sailed for the first time on a Sunfish and loved it! Years later, I was re-introduced to sailing and have been sailing and volunteering for a little over 15 years now. I have been on the race committee for the Wednesday Night Races for close to 10 years, have had the pleasure of working on race committees for GBCA, HYC, and LYC, and volunteering for the Sailing Angels Foundation. I now have the honor to serve as a returning Rear Commodore and am so proud and excited to be a part of a club that maintains and stands by… “The Place to Race”!

Treasurer, Marty Pedowicz

The story begins north of I-10 during the second half of the 1900's. I learned how to sail on a Sailstar Corinthian, and to race on an Ensign. After a much too long hiatus from sailing, I returned to crew on Ananda, Leopard and Stinger. I now spend my time and disposable income on Hobgoblin and provide rail meat services and unwanted advice to On the Go Wednesday nights.

Secretary, Heath Mills

We have still be trying to figure out where Heath came from, but he's very ambitious and willing to help out. He and Olivia seem to always be on the water with friends.

Fleet Captain, Stone Lack

Some of Stone's early keelboat races were in the GBCA Junior Skipper's Regatta. he comes into GBCA with big ideas and buckets of enthusiasm.

Governor, Kevin Bednar

I’ve been sailing and racing on Galveston Bay since my father bought a Hunter 26.5 in the mid 1990’s. He upgraded to a Santana 30/30gp and then a J/105 named Stinger and we’ve managed to win more races on Galveston Bay and in the Gulf than I ever would have predicted. I became a GBCA board member over a decade ago after I shot my mouth off about the need to update the website and the discussion forum and I found myself volunteered to do the upgrades. (Yes, that’s how we reel in new Board members.) I was elected Commodore for 2021 and I’d suppose my biggest contributions were improvements to the trophy case and clubhouse lighting and the PA system, most of the new PA system was donated by Jim Crate. GBCA was founded as a local handicapping authority for yacht racing on Galveston Bay and in order to promote sailing and yacht racing regionally. I’m proud to be an elected volunteer supporting GBCA in that mission.

Governor Member, Kelley Dees

I’ve been sailing on the Bay for many years. 10 years ago, I began volunteering for GBCA Race Committee, which has led to R/C for LYC and HYC as well.