Emeryville Yacht Club at the helm
Max Perez, Commodore
Max joined the Emeryville Yacht Club in 2022. He served as Director on the board in 2023 and as Vice Commodore in 2024. Max's sailing experience started at UCSC in the early 90s, and resumed at Club Nautique around twelve years ago, where he chartered boats locally and took classes, including US Sailing Coastal Passage Making. He has done a little chartering outside the bay to Catalina Island, which inspires Max to charter father away, with BVI in his plans for 2023. Max tries to sail at least twice a month year round, which is easier in the summer, of course. Max is married to Julia and has a thirteen year old son. Julia likes to sail in warmer, more tropical climates, but his son is happy to tear across the slot with him and kayak at whatever anchorage they end up in. Professionally, Max works as a software engineer programming mostly in Python in the heathcare data field. Other than Sailing, Max likes to play guitar, motorcycling, and travel. Among his favorite destinations are Mexico, Thailand, and nearby Calistoga.
David Kippen, Vice Commodore
I have been passionate about the sea since the age of eight, when I first ventured onto the ocean with my father, a commercial fisherman, exploring the waters from Point Arena to San Francisco Bay and beyond.
Over the years, my wife and I have owned three beautiful boats: "Gioia Mia," a Frank Seeno Monterey from 1948; "Cyrene," a Menotti Monterey from 1924; and our current love, "Duchess," a Symbol Sundeck Taiwanese aft cabin cruiser.
As a U.S. Coast Guard-certified 100-ton unlimited near-coastal master, I bring a deep appreciation for maritime tradition and a love of the open water to the Emeryville Yacht Club. This year, as Vice Commodore, I’m excited to work with our excellent bridge to create fun and inspiring events that celebrate our shared passion for yachting and community.
Valerie Kippen, Rear Commodore
Valerie Kippen brings a vibrant mix of artistry, hospitality, and maritime passion to the Emeryville Yacht Club. As a longtime member of many social organizations including the Metropolitan Club, The Battery, Berkeley City Club, Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club, California Yacht Club, and, of course, Emeryville Yacht Club, Valerie thrives on planning memorable events and connecting with “friends she hasn’t met yet.” She’s honored to serve on the Board and excited to help foster community and joy within the club.
Fifteen years ago, she and her husband David purchased their first vessel "Gioia Mia," a classic Monterey Clipper from 1948. Then they fell for "Cyrene," a spectacular 1928 Menotti Monterey, which they sold when David launched his agency. But in 2023, Valerie and David returned to the boating scene with "Duchess," their 44-foot Symbol motor yacht which they both adore--and which has already taken them to Monterey, Los Angeles, Catalina, and safely back to Emery Cove.
Valerie’s thrilled to combine her love of the arts, social connection, and boating as part of the Emeryville Yacht Club. She welcomes every opportunity to connect with fellow members and new friends, ensuring that life on and off the water is filled with camaraderie, creativity, and a little sparkle.
Bob Bigsby, Treasurer
Bob joined the Emeryville Yacht Club in 2020. He served as Treasurer on the board in 2023. Bob is a life-long boater, originally in small runabouts designed for dragging children behind. He moved to power cruisers in 2003 and cruised the Great Lakes in 2003-18. First Mate, Lenore, and Bob did the Great Loop in their 1966 41' Hatteras Twin Cabin (2015-16). The trip started at the bottom of Lake Michigan and took 1 full year to complete. Bob says that it was the time of their lives. Their Loop consisted of the river system down to Mobile, along Florida's Panhandle via Intra-Coastal Waterway (ICW), crossing the Gulf of Mexico at night in the fog, rain, and waves (21 hours), spending the winter in Clearwater, St Pete's, and Fort Meyers; after crossing Florida via L Okeechobee they went up the East Coast ICW and out onto the Atlantic to New York Harbor, then up the Hudson R, Erie Canal, across L Ontario, into Canada via the Trent Severn canal system which put them onto Georgian Bay (cruiser's paradise) and finally back down L Michigan. In total it was 5600 miles, 110 locks and a few adventures (disasters averted). Other than the stays on Florida's west coast, Bob and Lenore spent much of the time anchored out in secluded coves. They met lots of people along the way and developed lasting relationhips with some. In 2018 Bob and Lenore took a final 3 month cruise around L Michigan (about 900 miles) at the end of which they decided to sell their beautiful Miss Hattie and buy a boat in CA, where their only grandchildren (and their parents) live. Currently, Bob and Lenore spend about equal time on their boat in Emeryville and their house in Valparaiso, IN. Now that the pandemic is subsiding, Bob and Lenore are thoroughly enjoying meeting and cruising with members of the Emeryville YC. Lenore and Bob have two adult (fully emancipated) daughters. Rachel (47) lives in Chicago with their son-in-mortgage and Gretchen (44) who lives in Berkeley with their son-in-law and two grandchildren, ages 10 and 7. Bob is a retired Professor, Indiana University School of Medicine. He did biomedical research and taught for 25 years. Bob enjoys taking care of / remodeling their boat and house; woodcrafts / making wooden furniture; skiing (skiing "is not a sport, it is a way of life"); and of course, cruising with his Emeryville YC friends.
Jöerg Schwarz, Secretary
New information coming soon.
Andrew Jesaitis, Director
Andrew Jesaitis grew up sailing dinghies, fostering a lifelong passion for being on the water. After moving to San Francisco in 2017, he started sailing J/24s and deepened his love for the Bay’s vibrant sailing community. In 2021, he took the plunge into boat ownership with the purchase of Solar Wind, a 1984 35-foot Wauquiez Pretorien. Since then, he has been hard at work refitting the boat and getting out on the water whenever all the nuts and bolts are tight.
Michelle Stephens, Staff
Michelle Stephens joined the Emeryville Yacht Club in 2018. She served as the 2023 and 2024 Commodore and previously served as Rear Commodore. Michelle grew up on lake boats with her dad and spent many summers waterskiing on Folsom Lake, in the Sacramento area. Michelle was introduced to sailboats and sailing in 2007, and enjoyed many years sailing on the San Francisco Bay and beyond on her inlaws Alberg 30 and her and her husband's Tartan 3700. Michelle comes from a family of educators. She taught TK, kindergarten, and second grade, and now retired, volunteers in the classroom. Her passion was working with little learners, fostering a love of learning and helping to build the foundation for their education. In her spare time, Michelle enjoys time with friends and family, crafting, reading, home projects, and spending time on the bay with Emeryville YC friends.