DC Sail Staff  

Traci Mead, Executive Director

tmead@dcsail.org

With a passion for the maritime industry, Traci comes to DC Sail with over two decades in nonprofit administration, and a lively interest in sailboat racing. For 28 years, Traci served as crew aboard a variety of 27' to 45' yacht vessels and Tartan-10 fleets, competing on the Great Lakes circuit, primarily on Lake Michigan.

Having been raised in Alexandria, Virginia, prior to her return "home," to DC, Traci served as a Commissioner for the Port Washington Wisconsin Harbor Commission, provided management and marketing of the Maritime Heritage Festival, where she wrangled several tall ship visits, and was on the Board of Directors for a maritime museum. 

She was introduced to the sailing industry during her six year tenure with, SAILING Magazine. In addition to the marine industry, Traci has worked for the United States Senate, served as the Executive Director of the Port Washington (Wisconsin) Business Improvement District and has deep experience in the hospitality industry.

Cameron Costello, Director of Programs and Waterfront Operations

ccostello@dcsail.org

Born and raised on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Cam grew up with a deep appreciation for our oceans and the sport of sailing.

He first learned to sail on Optimists and spent his summers on the waters of Nantucket Sound. In high school, he began racing competitively in C420s, sailing for Falmouth High School and Falmouth Harbor Sailing School. Coached by Michael O’Connor and Atlantic Brugman, he has traveled throughout the east coast for regattas in the C420 Youth Nationals circuit. After completing his Bachelors in Music Education at Ithaca College, Cam lived on the Island of Oahu where he worked as a volunteer farmer and sailed for a race team aboard a Farr 36 based out of Hawai’i Yacht Club. He’s always looking for new places to travel and experience the local sailing scene.

Cam moved to DC in 2022 and joined DC Sail as the Director of Kids Set Sail. During his tenure, he has also worked as a High School Racing Coach, Dock Manager, PRO for Adult Racing, and is currently the Director of Programs and Waterfront Operations.

Outside of sailing, Cam spends his time teaching piano lessons, biking around the District, and playing board games.

Patrick Freeman, Lead American Spirit Captain and Marine Consultant

pfreeman@dcsail.org

Born and raised in the District of Columbia and learning to sail as a youth on the Potomac River, Patrick is a true local waterman.

He has been working with DC Sail for over 12 years, starting as a Kids Set Sail Instructor, growing along with the organization through to his former position as Director of Waterfront Operations. Patrick has stepped back into a part-time roll with DC Sail, as Lead Captain of the American Spirit, and as an ongoing consultant on our maritime operations.  

In addition to DC Sail, Patrick has served as First Mate on the former Presidential yacht, USS Sequoia, as well as captaining, delivering, and managing numerous private vessels. He loves sharing his passion for the water with others, and is proud of DC Sail’s role in making the joy of sailing accessible to folks here in the city.

In his free time, you’ll find him travelling any chance he gets, usually somewhere he can jump in the ocean, and cheering on all of his hometown sports teams.

DC Sail Board of Directors

James Muldoon, Chairman Emeritus

Mr. Muldoon has been actively involved in international sailing or boating-related organizations for over twenty five years. He has captained his 90-foot yacht, DONNYBROOK, with a highly competitive amateur team, in hundreds of races and has accrued over 75,000 miles of blue water ocean racing.

Mr. Muldoon, the former president of US SAILING, has received countless awards for his commitment, leadership, and achievements in the field of recreational boating and boating safety.

Chairman

Timothy Dickson

Groundswell Communications, Inc.

Officers

Richard O'Brien
Consultant/Ret.
Vice-President

Hal Young
Young Accountancy Group
Treasurer

Directors

Marc Apter
Image Power, Inc.

Nicole Didyk Wells
Federal Aviation Administration

Bruce Gates
Three Oaks Strategies

Horacio Marquez
OnePak, Inc.

Oliver Whitney
The Sierra Club

Roberta Wilson
Roberta F. Wilson, CPA/MBA