GBCA - The Place to Race since 1947

Meet your 2020 GBCA Board of Governors

Commodore, Jimmy Peck

Vice Commodore, Bill Jenko

I vividly recall my very first experience sailing on Sylvan Lake in northern Illinois with my father in a lateen-rigged Sunfish sailboat borrowed from friends who lived on the lake. We blasted around the lake in gusty winds, he steering and I holding the sheet. I fell in love with sailing that day. I was about 14. For the next 35 years I chartered bareboats as often I could sailing in 14 foreign countries and numerous areas around the USA. I founded and was first Commodore of Hobie fleet 132, and raced in the 1982 Hobie 16 World Championship in Tahiti. When I moved to the Houston area in 1986 I volunteered as crew on the 1877 Tall Ship Elissa for the next 10 years where I met and married my wife CJ, in 1987. We also crewed on the Brig Niagara from 1991 to1995. In 2002, CJ and I bought our 1978 Cheoy Lee 38 Sea Gypsy and joined first TMCA for cruising, and then GBCA for racing on Galveston Bay. We’ve done 13 Harvest Moon Regattas in Sea Gypsy and more Icicle and Rum races than I can count. I have a USCG 50 ton Master, coastal, auxiliary sail credential, and am an ASA certified instructor (101, 103, 104 & 105). I am the Recreational Boater Representative on the Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee. CJ and I live on a canal in Lazy Bend, and keep Sea Gypsy on our dock in the back yard. I still love sailing.

Past Commodore, Mike Lewis

Rear Commodore, Amy Crowell

Fleet Captain, 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 have raced and run a variety of events; Regatta de Amigos (and the off year offshore events), Spring and Fall Series, Icicle, Frostbite, Wells Fargo Bank Regatta, Rebel Cup, Charge Cup, TORC, Elissa Regatta, Leukemia Cup, J-105 Fall Invitational, Galveston Bay Catamaran Championships, Redfish Reach, Texas 2-Step, Harvest Moon Regatta, Ruff Riders, Chicago-Mac, North Texas Catamaran Championships, Wurstfest, Performance Mid-Winters, Round the Island, seminars, and TGIF (Rum Races) races. I have raced on boats ranging from a Sunfish, to Nacras/Prindles/Tornados, to a Condor 40, to a Swan 54, but my passion is multihulls. 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.

Secretary, Allie Cribbs

My first sailing experiences were when I was two weeks old sailing on Galveston Bay, growing up learning to sail lasers in VA and while on vacation each summer in FL. While at Eckerd College I caught the racing bug, having the opportunity to travel up and down the east coast competing in regional and national intercollegiate events. I coached the Red, White and Blue opti fleet for a short time at St Pete Yacht Club. Seven years ago, I moved back to Houston to continue work as an ocean engineer supporting the offshore industry. Since then, I have become an active member in the J22 and J105 fleets here on the Galveston Bay. For the distance races, you can find me sailing a Wylie Wabbit, our Martin 243, one of the J105s or Pingo. My hope is to further promote competitive women’s sailing in the area, to foster opportunities for other sailors and retain younger sailors, and to help support and improve racing with GBCA.

(shown on right)

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.

Governor, Brett Allred

Growing up in the Ft Worth area, I have been an active member in the Texas sailing community for over 25 years, racing sunfish, lasers and J22s as a youth at the Fort Worth Boat Club. Later, I began racing International 14s, Viper 640s, J22s, J24s, J70s, J80s, J105, Melges 24s, and offshore racing on a Volvo 60, Tripp 47, 1D35 and J120. I have competed in many North American, NOOD and world championships throughout the Americas. I particularly enjoy one design and development class racing. As governor, I have chaired the Icicle and Rum Race events, and enjoy serving to help shape the future of the GBCA.

Governor, Kevin Bednar

Kevin sails with his Dad, Bee Bednar on their J105, Stinger.

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. I also enjoy helping with the after race parties and serving on the Board.

Governor, Ron Eddleman

I have been sailing since 1970, began sailing on Sabine Lake, Port Arthur, Texas. We bought our current boat, Stellar of Course in 2002 began sailing Galveston Bay and offshore. I have been a member of GBCA for the past ten years. I am currently serving my second term on the Board of Governors, and am responsible for Sponsorship and working with Cruzan Rum to be sure we continue to have Cruzan Rum for awards during the Cruzan Icicle Series and summer Cruzan Rum Races.

Governor, 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.

Governor, Karen Penrose

GBCA is an all volunteer 501(c)7 non-profit sailboat racing club located on Galveston Bay

1500 Marina Bay Drive

Building #113B

Kemah, TX 77565