Introducing Our New Executive Director
The Community Sailing New Orleans Board of Directors welcomes aboard its new Executive Director Matthew Wierzbach. Wierzbach comes to CSNO with deep experience managing and growing community sailing programs and a passion for sharing the sport with those who have been historically excluded from participating in it. He possesses a remarkable blend of skills, experience, and values that align with CSNO’s mission to open access to Lake Pontchartrain to everyone and remove the physical and economic obstacles that have long limited its use.
Wierzbach has served as the Program Director for the Sailing Education Association of Sheboygan, or SEAS, in Wisconsin. There he grew the community boating program and expanded educational opportunities for non-traditional sailors. He led national and international regattas, including serving as chairman of the Para-World Sailing Championship in 2018. Wierzbach’s experience also includes a previous position as the Sailing Job Skills Program Director for the Rocking the Boat organization in the Bronx, N.Y., where he mentored high school-age sailing apprentices in an after-school setting.
“Matthew Wierzbach will bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to CSNO’s work, and I’m thrilled to work with him as our new Executive Director,” said Community Sailing New Orleans Board President Warner Tureaud. “He has the full support of the CSNO Board of Directors to carry out this critical leadership role. We look forward to successful and invigorating seasons with him at the helm.”
“I am honored and excited to join Community Sailing New Orleans,” Wierzbach said. “The sailing center has a tremendous amount to offer people of all ages and backgrounds. I look forward to this next chapter with a new building, expanded community partnerships and continuing to build on the programs that have already contributed so much to the New Orleans community.”
Wierzbach will succeed Jacob Raymond, CSNO’s first Executive Director who left in 2023 to take a position in Virginia. “I have met Matt a couple of times and admire his work at SEAS with sailors who are visually impaired and blind,” Raymond said. “I am incredibly glad CSNO has found a great Executive Director.”
Wierzbach and CSNO Operations Director Khari Parrish will represent the sailing center at US Sailing’s National Sailing Programs Symposium in Savannah, Ga., Feb. 1-3. US Sailing is the governing body for the sport of Sailing.
After moving to New Orleans, Wierzbach and Parrish will kick off CSNO’s spring programs. Please join us in welcoming Wierzbach aboard!
We are also happy to announce that Warner Tureaud, who has served on the Community Sailing New Orleans Board of Directors since 2014, began his term as President of the Board on Jan. 1. Tureaud, the former Superintendent of the Harbor Police Department, has been active in boating for several decades and previously served as President of the New Orleans Municipal Yacht Harbor Management Corporation.
The CSNO 2024 Board of Directors also includes Kim Boyle, Guy Brierre, Lynne Burkart, Frank Darden, Bob Farnsworth, Catherine Freeman, Susan Langenhennig Granger, Whit Huguley, Bob Kottler, Immediate Past President John Manard, Mikki Matthews, Vice President Greg Rattler, Judge Clint Smith, Secretary Ric Smith, Treasurer Guy Williams and Bill Wright.
Warner Tureaud
CSNO Board President
