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.
Michelle Prior Alameda, Rear Commodore
Michelle Prior Alameda is an image consultant, author, and avid sailor known for her book Michelle’s Guide to a Perfect Capsule Wardrobe & the Art of Quiet Luxury. With over 20 years of experience, she has coached women leaders in fields like medicine, law, and politics, helping them enhance their personal brands through a strategic approach to appearance and self-presentation. Michelle’s love for the ocean and her boat, The Alfred, intertwines her personal style and professional goals with the maritime lifestyle.
As an active board member of the Emeryville Yacht Club, Michelle shares her passion for mentoring women, and to inspire others through her dynamic blend of expertise and nautical enthusiasm.
Bob Bigsby, Treasurer
Bob became a member of the Emeryville Yacht Club in 2020 and took on the role of Treasurer in 2023. A lifelong boating enthusiast, Bob began with small runabouts before transitioning to power cruisers in 2003. Over the next 15 years, he explored the Great Lakes extensively. A major highlight was the Great Loop voyage he completed with his wife, Lenore, aboard their 1966 41’ Hatteras Twin Cabin. Their yearlong journey (2015–16) covered 5,600 miles and 110 locks, beginning in Lake Michigan and traveling through the inland rivers, the Gulf of Mexico, Florida, the East Coast, New York, Canada, and back to Michigan. After one final cruise around Lake Michigan in 2018, they decided to sell their beloved “Miss Hattie” and relocate their boating life to California to be closer to their grandchildren.
Now splitting time between Emeryville, CA, and Valparaiso, IN, Bob and Lenore enjoy boating with the Emeryville Yacht Club. A retired professor from Indiana University School of Medicine, Bob has a rich background in biomedical research and teaching. He keeps busy remodeling their boat and home, woodworking, skiing, and enjoying time with family and friends on the water.
Jörg Schwarz, Secretary
Jörg (“Joe”) has been boating on and off on the Bay for 25 years with powerboats. He and Brenda currently operate Delfine, a 41-foot express-cruiser style motor yacht docked in Emery Cove.
Jörg works in Healthcare IT at a global SaaS company and also teaches graduate classes in Business Data Analytics at Golden Gate University in San Francisco. When not cruising on the Bay, Brenda and Jörg live in El Dorado Hills, CA.
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 Hill, Staff
Michelle Hill 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.