Meet Our Bridge...

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	Commander: Cdr Paul E. Reichert, AP Born and raised in Connecticut, with my sister, my first boating experience was at 7 on Long Island Sound. My parents had rented a cottage with a row boat included. A few houses away was a recreational lobsterman who would take me out most evenings to check his traps. His boat was fully equipped for our trips out on the water - bait for the traps and a basket for any lobsters caught. This lasted for several years with a lapse in boating for about 6 years until a friend had a 16 foot runabout and we went fishing in Long Island Sound each summer. His boat included an anchor and a CB radio to go along with the fishing poles and bait. Off to college, then some time in the National Guard, followed by marriage and a family with 4 children while working as manager of the life claim department of an insurance company. Time passed and upon retirement in 1993, we moved to Florida and back to boating. Our neighbor, a VP at Boston Whaler, said he might be able to get us a boat which we eventually purchased - a 16’ deep V hull. It was the 2nd one built in this line - that was used for testing purposes. In 2001 we switched to our current deck boat. Both of these boats were fully equipped and had the Vessel Safety Decal displayed on the windshield. Elaine and I both took the USPS 8 week course while we were house hunting and thinking about getting a boat. We joined the Ponce Squadron before we had a boat and got involved. We worked on the D/23 Fall conference in 1994 and Elaine has been the Chairman of each  conference since. I became the AO in 1995 and went up to become commander and also have been involved in District 23 and will be retiring after 4 years as their treasurer this spring. Now I am a retread proudly ready to serve again as your Commander.
	Executive Officer:  P/C Michael J. Aloise, AP I was born and raised in New York City. I am one of nine children. I graduated from a vocational high school where I studied residential construction. In September 1969 I was drafted by my Uncle (Sam) and chose the Navy as my branch of service. During my 10 years of active service, I served aboard two different aircraft carriers, both of which are decommissioned now. I was stationed in different parts of Florida as well as all around the Caribbean. My main job (or billet) was Crash Rescue and Search and Rescue. After being Honorably discharged in 1979, I settled into the Miami area where I worked in the automobile and trucking industries. I moved to beautiful New Smyrna Beach in 1987 and again worked in the automobile industry. I have attended several colleges in Florida for specialty automotive training. I retired in 1994 and spent the next few years working on several different boats as a deck hand and as an engineer. I love boating, diving, fishing and golf. Fortunately for me my wife loves boating also. I married my beautiful bride Vicki in 1989 and together have raised two wonderful children that have both made us proud. I joined Ponce Squadron in 1993 and got immediately involved. I have served as Asst. SEO, SEO, AO, XO, and Commander and after 15 years with the Squadron, I am ready for 15 more. Presently, I own and operate a small construction company, along with my wife, and “We Do It All” which keeps us very busy. Recently, within the past 6 months, I have become a beaming new Grandpa.
	Education Officer: Lt/C William C. Benny, JN Denise and I moved to Edgewater over 4 years ago after taking early retirement from the Social Security Administration in Maryland where we were programmers. I substitute teach at New Smyrna Beach Middle and High School. I also taught aikido for 13 years and had a dojo in Edgewater for a while. After fishing from the local docks, we purchased our Boston Whaler in 2003. Did I mention I love to fish the backwater of Edgewater? Being new to boating, we took the Boat Smart class. We joined Ponce Inlet Sail and Power Squadron because I wanted to take more classes on boating and we like the people we’ve met in the Squadron. In addition to taking boating courses, I’ve been the SEO for the squadron the last 2 years and a vessel safety examiner for several years. I always try to get more members to exercise their minds and become more boat educated. Remember, you are never too old to learn something new. We have just tested and passed most of a class of 22 taking the Boat Smart class at the DBC College in New Smyrna Beach. I have completed my JN class through the Daytona Beach Squadron’s instructors. We are lucky to have a reciprocal agreement where they welcome us to courses where we do not have the numbers or instructors. I am looking forward to my N class. If there is anyone with the knowledge and a desire to instruct any of our USPS courses please contact me.
	Administrative Officer: Lt/C Stan L. Sisson, S Born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, I graduated from Northwestern University in 1965. Shortly thereafter, I bought my first boat - an Alcort Sunfish and joined the Lake Bluff Yacht Club (a sun- fish racing club) and have owned or crewed in various boats since. I spent my working years in Human Resources management for 2 insurance companies. Joyce and I moved to Sheboygan, Wisconsin in 1974 and raised our 3 children in that city on Lake Michigan and belonged to the local yacht club for many years. After a job change in 1992, we moved to a suburb of New Orleans, LA and joined the Ponchartrain Power Squadron and enjoyed our first I/O, a 23’ cuddy- cabin. We used it on the Gulf of Mexico and the lakes and rivers that surround New Orleans. We moved to Edgewater in 2001 and transferred our member- ship to Ponce Inlet in 2005. Joyce and I enjoy cruising on our 17’ Bayliner Cuddy named “Bubbles” and look forward to becoming even more active in our Squadron’s activities.
	Secretary: Lt/C Myrna Courage, S The Courages came to the US from Canada in 1967 and gradually moved to Florida via Michigan and Washington DC spending the last 30 plus years in Gainesville. Four years ago we transitioned from weekenders to full time residents of NSB. At that time we purchased our first boat and learned that boating with friends was not the same as owning and piloting your own vessel. With assistance from the Power Squadron classes and members, we have extended our boating goals from making it to JB’s and back to thinking of boating as far a St Augustine via the Intracoastal. I use the term "we" as Ken is the captain for these endeavors and uses the GPS for tracking our routes.   In addition to boating my interests are traveling as far and often a possible, gardening, grandchildren, Gator football and reading with relative emphasis rotating among the former. My specific squadron goals for the year are to work with other squadron members to support publication, distribution and financial viability of the EnLIGHTener and to contribute to the public visibility of the squadron's educational opportunities and public events.
	Treasurer: Lt/C Vicki G. Aloise, S I was born in New Smyrna Beach, FL. Yes, I am a native New Smyrnan! I'm the oldest of three children. Due to my dad's job I moved a lot, but my roots re in New Smyrna Beach so we spent much of our summer vacations here. I came back here to live in 1979 and have been here since. I married my wonderful husband, Mike, in 1989. We have two great children, who we are very proud of. Six months ago our son and daughter-in-law made me a proud Grandma of a beautiful baby girl. Together with my husband, we own and operate our own business, which keeps us very busy. I enjoy reading, boating, and traveling in our RV along with our cat and three dogs.

webpage updated 09/06/2008