Staff
Bill Bahen
Executive Director and Founder
Hailing from the eastern shore of Maryland, Bill is a U.S. Coast Guard licensed Captain with extensive experience managing sailing centers and programs. Prior to HRCS Bill directed educational programs in the northeast including Schooner Sound Learning, Nantucket Island Community Sailing and Stepping Stone Waterfront and Sailing School in Great Neck, NY. Just prior to moving to New York City in 2006 Bill spent a few years teaching with the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School.
Alex Baum
Program Director
Alex was born in Rochester, NY and grew up sailing on Lake Ontario and Keuka Lake. He has sailed competitively since high school and is now a U.S. Coast Guard licensed Captain. At HRCS, in collaboration with DOE educators, Alex designed and implemented the accredited curriculum. He is responsible for programming and outreach. Alex graduated from Fordham University with a degree in International Political Economy. While at Fordham, he was the captain of the university’s varsity sailing team.
James Cart
First Mate Program Director
James Cart was born in Buffalo, NY and grew up sailing on Lake Erie. He started racing with his father when he was 12 and the bug hasn't left since. He graduated from Dartmouth College in June, 2010 with a degree in Philosophy. He sailed on the Dartmouth team his freshman year. After a break he returned to the sailing scene by teaching at the Tabor Academy Summer Program. He joined HRCS in September, 2010, working with the Accredited After-School Program and now with City Sail.
Andreas Pejovic
Youth Sailing Educator
Andreas grew up in Irondequoit, NY on the shores of Lake Ontario. His first experience sailing was at the YMCA affiliated Camp Cory on Keuka Lake, where he was instructed by the HRCS Program Director, Alex Baum. He credits summer camp and relationships developed while sailing as fundamental to the person he is today. After graduating high school he moved to New York City to pursue the arts. He currently attends Hunter College on the Upper East Side of Manhattan where he is in his Junior year.
Christin Ripley
Youth Sailing Educator
Grew up in St. Petersburg Florida sailing dinghies and small keel boats. She has crewed several offshore transits, as well as cook and crew on tallships. She studied visual art at Cooper Union and is a great dancer. When not working at HRCS, Ripley is crew on the Schooner Pioneer at South Street Seaport.
Sam Paci
Youth Sailing Educator
Born and raised in New York, NY, Sam is no stranger to sailing in these parts. He has taught for many summers on Long Island Sound and is excited to be back at HRCS. Sam will be attending Brown University for the Spring semester but hopes to return to HRCS following that.
David Caporale
Educator
Thirty years experience both racing and cruising sailboats ranging in size from 12 feet through 130 feet long in and around the NY area. For the past three years he has been working on the New York waterfront in various positions. His last position was as a volunteer on the schooner Pioneer out of South Street Seaport Museum. Currently an educator and launch driver for HRCS. David has a USCG 100 ton master’s license.
