SEAL BEACH YACHT CLUB
2027 Seal Beach Yacht Club
ELECTION CANDIDATES
Below are the nominees statements and biographies. Please take the time to get to know your candidates. The election begins Tuesday, November 3rd. Here are the candidates, listed in alphabetical order.
Vice Commodore
Troy Bakken
Rear Commodore:
Board of Directors:
Kelly Eddy
Mark Wright
Kristy Bowman
I have been an active and dedicated member of the Seal Beach Yacht Club for the last few years, I am currently serving my third year on the Board of Directors, and fourth year as the Club’s Event Rental Manager. My love for boats, the ocean, and the friendships I’ve made here drive my commitment to our club’s continued success.
I’ve had the privilege of hosting and organizing many club events, all of which have been profitable and have helped bring in new members. I make it a priority to volunteer for any event I can, while still balancing the responsibilities of running my business and home life.
As a business owner for more than 35 years, I understand what it takes to run operations efficiently and profitably while maintaining relationships. I want to bring that same experience and dedication to ensuring our club thrives, not just for today’s members, but for the generations to come.
If elected Rear Commodore, my goal is to honor the traditions that make our Yacht Club special while continuing to grow our community, strengthen our fellowship, and enhance the experience for all members. I would be honored to serve in this role and look forward to giving my very best to the club that means so much to me.
Rear Commodores Candidates Statements:
Board of Directors Candidate Starements:
Peter Neal
My name is Peter Neal, and I have been a member of Seal Beach Yacht Club since April 2015. I have served twice on the Club's Board of Directors, served on the board of another nonprofit organization, and spent about five or six years as SlBYC's IT and AV Chair.
I came to the United States from England in 1983 on a programming contract at Todd Shipyards in San Pedro. My career has been spent working with technology, data and information systems.
Along the way I was a designer and developer of United Airlines' MileagePlus system, designed many Farmers Insurance databases, served as lead architect for an Internet search engine, developed a web-based accounting system, and founded a company providing web-based roster management software to nonprofit organizations.
I finished my career as a Principal Data Scientist with AT&T;/DirecTV, working in Data Insights within the Big Data and Advanced Analytics organization. I hold a Master of Science in Web Sciences and Big Data and a Postgraduate Certificate in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Liverpool, awarded in 2017 and 2022 respectively.
I have worked with data for most of my life, and being data-driven is fundamental to how I make decisions. I prefer to understand the facts, consider the alternatives and then make an informed decision. My experience with nonprofit organizations has also reinforced the importance of good governance, volunteers, financial stewardship and keeping members at the center of decisions.
I believe there are opportunities to continue improving how members access Club information and stay connected. I am currently prototyping a web-based system intended to bring useful Club and membership information together in one place, making it easier for members to find what they need and stay informed about Club activities.
I am running for the Board because I care deeply about the Club and want to remain informed and involved in its inner workings. I hope to use my experience to help preserve what makes SlBYC special while making thoughtful, fact-based decisions that strengthen it for the future.
Joe Reed
I joined the Seal Beach Yacht Club in 2024, but my connection to the Club and its sailing community goes back a little further. I started yacht racing in 2020 as regular crew on another member’s sailboat. I quickly found that I enjoyed not only the racing, but also the people and camaraderie that came with it. That experience led me purchase my own vessel and to eventually join Seal Beach Yacht Club.
Since joining, I’ve enjoyed getting more involved and finding ways to contribute. I currently serve as your Webmaster Chair, helping with the Club’s website and online communications.
As an independent design and engineering consultant, I’m responsible for all of business decisions, including my own accounting, budgeting, expenses, cash flow, and financial planning. It’s a small operation, but it has given me plenty of hands-on experience with the importance of keeping a close eye on the numbers and making thoughtful decisions about where to spend and where to invest.
I’m interested in serving on the Board because I believe I can contribute a practical, analytical perspective to the Club, particularly when it comes to financial planning, managing resources, and thinking about the Club’s long-term direction.
Most of all, I want to help preserve what makes this Club a great place to sail, race, socialize, and be part of a community—and help make sure it continues to be that way for the members who come after us.
Doug Schmitz
David Booker mentioned I should check out the Club a couple times, so here I am. First person I met was Joan Polanca. She was doing some petitions for the Tide lands issue last year and I got involved. That started my service with SlBYC.
At dinners, the tables needed help clearing and I was able to help the kitchen staff. The AC unit in the kitchen was broken and parts where unavailable, I replaced the unit with a 10 year warrantee equipment, (local supplier) which I’ve donated to The Club. The Club AC units on roof, I service changing filters once a month to ease operation. Office AC (Cheryl’s) went down
My guys did the repair. I do what I’m able around the Club. My TIARA 43’ is offered for the Harbor cruises, we do Catalina trips and other cruises. I’m a power boater, been about 5 years now. The involvement with Club is comfortable for me, and I would appreciate your support for vote to Director.
S/C Bob Schweitzer
I am running for Board of Director for the 2027 & 2028 season. I ask for your support in voting for me based on my many years of my contributions to the Seal Beach Yacht Club.
My wife Diane and I joined the club in March 2007 where we became very active in the club. In July that year we hosted a very successful house party (Polynesian Night) from that point on we knew we belonged to a place we knew we could enjoy for the many years to come. Our son Bill was very active in the Junior sailing program. Here are the many positions and committee’s I have held at the club.
2008 – Cruise Chairman – Successfully cruised and enjoyed (15) cruises
2009 – Rear Commodore & Cruise Chairman – Elected Position year #1 of BOD
2010 – Vice Commodore – Elected Position year #2 of BOD
2011 – Commodore – Elected Position year #3 of BOD
2012 – Jr. Staff Commodore – year #4 of BOD
2012 – 2014 Board of Director of SCYA (Southern California Yachting Association
2013 – 2014 Board of Director on SLBYC – Elected Position years #5 & #6 of BOD
2016 – 2017 Board of Director of SLBYC – Elected position now years #7 & #8 if BOD
2012 – 2026 Hosted the Avalon Golf Outing for the past 15 years
2012 – 2026 Club Book Maker for MNF Football, Super Bowl & other events games of chance
So, as you can see from being a long time member and Flag Officer for (3) years your Commodore in 2011 to participating on our Clubs Board of Directors for (8) years I bring great knowledge, experience and dedication to our members that we need to keep our club sailing straight into 2027 and beyond.
I am honored to have been asked to run this year and to participate another (2) years on our Board of Directors. I ask that you please vote for myself in November.