By Zeke Quezada, Director of Communications
American Sailing has appointed David E. Taylor as its new Chief Executive Officer, bringing to the role a career executive with more than 30 years of experience scaling organizations across education, training, certifications, and memberships — and who is, by his own account, a product of ASA’s own instruction.
American Sailing (ASA) is the world’s most respected sailing education authority, having certified over 600,000 individuals through its 400+ affiliated sailing schools worldwide and 15 curriculum levels that certify tens of thousands of sailors annually. Founded over four decades ago by Lenny and Cindy Shabes, ASA sets the global standard for recreational and performance sailing instruction, safety, and education across all skill levels.
The appointment follows the unexpected passing of CEO Jonathan Payne in December 2025. Payne had led American Sailing since 2022. Following a national executive search, the board prioritized a candidate who combined demonstrated business-building experience with an authentic, personal connection to sailing and ASA’s educational mission.
“Dave brings something rare to this role — the credibility of a lifelong sailor who went through our program and the commercial experience to grow what we’ve built. This is a stewardship assignment at a moment when continuity and sustained growth are equally important, and we believe Dave is the right person to deliver both.”
— Peter Isler, two-time America’s Cup winner and Board Chairman, American Sailing
A Sailor First
In 2019, David Taylor began his journey with American Sailing. He arrived early on a Saturday morning for his ASA 101 instructor-led course on the shores of the Potomac River. He had been sailing his whole life — logged countless miles on lakes, in the ocean, and on the Chesapeake Bay. He raced a bit and considered himself a reasonably competent, knowledgeable sailor.
That 101 experience turned Taylor into a committed, lifelong student of the sport. He went on to earn five ASA certifications, an International Proficiency Certificate, and his U.S. Coast Guard Captain’s License. He bought his latest boat, a Beneteau 41, Marley, and immersed himself completely. He joined numerous sailing clubs, became an executive committee member of the Club Beneteau Chesapeake Bay, and logged thousands of miles across the Chesapeake, the Caribbean, and beyond. Seven years of cascading decisions eventually led him to the helm of the organization that changed his life.
“ASA didn’t teach me to sail. It taught me to understand sailing — and that distinction changed how I think about the sport entirely. The sailors who haven’t had that experience yet are exactly who we should be reaching. That’s the work ahead of us.”
— David E. Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, American Sailing
Thirty Years of Building Organizations
Taylor arrives with more than three decades of executive experience scaling mid-sized, founder-led organizations across education, certification, and training. He spent seven years in the association sector consulting with dozens of organizations on membership growth and retention, publication revenue, and event performance — a combination that maps directly to American Sailing’s lines of business and the operating environment he is stepping into.
Most recently, Taylor served as Chief Commercial Officer of LoadSpring Solutions. Prior to that, he was President and Chief Revenue Officer of RightEye LLC, and Chief Revenue Officer of Kajeet, Inc., where he led the organization through more than 200 percent revenue growth. His career also includes senior executive roles at Learning Tree International and Management Concepts.
Cindy Shabes, Co-Founder and President of American Sailing, said Taylor’s combination of credentials stood apart in the search. “We needed someone who understood the business and understood the sailor. David is both. That alignment with our mission matters as much to us as his executive track record.”
The Opportunity Ahead
The sailing industry loses a significant share of new participants within their first few years — not because the sport is too hard, but because too many people come to it without proper instruction. Anxiety, hesitation, and inactivity follow. The path from casual participant to committed, capable sailor runs through structured certification. ASA owns that pathway. Taylor’s mandate is to make it accessible to more people worldwide through stronger affiliate support, broader digital reach, and a clearer value story for the sailors who haven’t yet discovered American Sailing.
Taylor is based in the Mid-Atlantic and sails on the Chesapeake Bay — one of the most active sailing regions in the country — and will travel regularly to American Sailing’s headquarters in Los Angeles and its affiliated schools nationwide.
“I am not a professional sailor or a world-renowned racer. I have not crossed oceans or circumnavigated the globe. But I am like the overwhelming majority of recreational sailors who spend every free moment on the water — day sailing, exploring new anchorages, rafting up with good friends, exploring new ports of call, and chartering — living the dream. I am exactly the profile that American Sailing is here to serve. I am American Sailing.”
— David E. Taylor
About American Sailing
American Sailing (ASA) and its affiliated platforms — North U, American Sailing Vacations, and American Boating — are the world’s most respected sailing and boating education authority, having certified over 600,000 individuals through its 400+ affiliated schools worldwide and 15 curriculum levels. Founded in 1983 by Lenny and Cindy Shabes, ASA sets the global standard for sailing and boating instruction, certification, and safety across all skill levels. Learn more at americansailing.com, americanboating.com, NorthU.com, and AmericanSailingVacations.com.
About David E. Taylor
David Taylor is a sailor. He sails his Beneteau 41, Marley, on the Chesapeake Bay with his wife Jennifer and family, serves on the Club Beneteau Chesapeake Bay Executive Committee, and has logged thousands of miles along the East Coast and beyond. He holds multiple ASA certifications, an International Proficiency Certificate, and a U.S. Coast Guard Captain’s License. Taylor holds an MBA from George Mason University and a BFA from the Massachusetts College of Art & Design.
About the Author
Zeke Quezada is the Director of Communications for American Sailing and Director of American Sailing Vacations, leading brand strategy, digital education, and experiential growth initiatives. He developed scalable online sailing education tools and helped expand American Sailing Vacations into a global provider of Learn to Sail experiences, flotillas, and sailing adventures that connect education, travel, and community.
Email: zeke@americansailing.com
Phone: 323-333-0303
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