The Class is fortunate to have a history of dedicated individuals who help oversee the day-to-day operations of the Class Association. Laura Jeffers is coming up on 16 years as the Executive Secretary. With changing times, we brought Carly Starck aboard about 18 months ago. Her expertise in social media, marketing and web design has elevated the Class presence over our digital footprint. She also posts all of our regatta reports.
The Executive Committee is looking to enrich and expand our outreach with members and prospective members.
To this end, a part-time Membership Associate position has been created, and we are happy to announce that Kayla (Ellis) Neuman is coming aboard!
This administrative team (Laura, Carly and Kayla) is here to serve our members.
Please help me Welcome Kayla to the Team!
Hi everyone! I’m Kayla Neuman, and I’m excited to introduce myself as the Membership Associate for the Lightning Class. As someone who has been part of the Class since 2010, this opportunity is especially meaningful because it allows me to give back to a community that has been such an important part of my life.
My love of sailing began on Long Beach Island, New Jersey, where I grew up racing Optis, Lasers, Sunfish, C420s, and, of course, Lightnings. Some of my favorite memories growing up were made on the water and surrounded by the sailing community, which sparked a lifelong passion for the sport. I continued sailing as a member of the Coast Guard Academy sailing team before graduating and commissioning as a Coast Guard officer in 2016.
After graduation, my Coast Guard career gave me the opportunity to live and serve in several different communities, from Cape May, New Jersey, to New York City, and eventually to Houma, Louisiana, where I served in roles focused on emergency and disaster preparedness and response. While those assignments and commitments limited the amount of time I was able to spend racing, the Class has always remained an important part of my sailing journey. The friendships, traditions, and welcoming spirit of the Lightning Class are what continue to bring me back and make this community so special.
Today, I live in coastal Georgia with my husband, Austin, and our two young daughters, Annabelle and Leah. Sailing remains a big part of my life through assistant coaching the local high school and college sailing teams, as well as spending time on the water with my family. I’m especially excited to introduce my daughters to the Lightning Class and help them experience the same joy and sense of community that have made this class so special to me.
I’m looking forward to reconnecting with familiar faces, meeting new members, and supporting the class however I can. I can’t wait to see many of you at regattas and on the water!