2012 JP Staff

Joe Maher, Program Director

Joe is excited to return as program director for his third summer at AYC.. Joe lives is Hamilton with his wife and three young children. He has been a math teacher at Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School for 15 years and also coaches the boys' tennis team. He is the former manager of the Manchester Bath and Tennis Club and Junior Tennis Director at the Myopia Hunt Club.

Cara Vavolotis, Sailing Director

Cara is a 2010 graduate of Eckerd College where she majored in art with a minor in management.  Cara is currently the assistant varsity sailing coach at Old Dominion University. At Eckerd, Cara was a Varsity Sailior and named to the ICSA All American Sailing Team in 2010.  Cara is in the beginning stages of an Olympic campaign. Cara brings lots of experience to the club as a sailing coach for five years and third summer at AYC.

Todd Nolen, Tennis Director

Todd graduated from the University of St Andrews in 2007 with an MA in Philosophy and also played for the university tennis team. Todd has been coaching tennis in some capacity for over ten years and became a certified professional with the USPTA in 2007. This is his fourth year running the AYC tennis program and is credited with forwarding the play of youngsters in the USTA Quickstart program and USTA Team Match Play.

Ildiko Szekely, Swimming Director

"Ildi" is excited to join the AYC staff this summer, where she brings an extensive swimming and coaching background. She is a former All-American Varsity Swimming Captain at Michigan State University where she earned her BA in Psychology. She also holds a Masters in Education from UC Berkeley and has spent the last 10 years teaching language arts and coaching at the high school and collegiate levels. Welcome to Squam Ildi!

Will Felder, 420 Coach

Will is returning for his second summer at AYC. Originally from Martha's Vineyard, Will grew up sailing at Vineyard Haven Yacht Club. He is completing his junior year at the University of South Florida and has an opportunity to sail every day of the year in sunny St. Petersburg. Will is an education major who is looking forward to bring his teaching experience to AYC. Will is currently sailing International 505's and qualified for the J24 Worlds. Will is also involved in sailing the US Sailing Match Race Championship Circuit. This summer, Will is eager to have the 420 Race Team participate in more regattas and defend their home turf at the JO's in August!

Brady Stagg, Opti Coach

Brady is joining the AYC staff this year after a successful summer coaching at the Annapolis Yacht Club last summer. Brady just completed his sophomore year at Old Dominion University where he is a varsity sailor. Brady is excited to bring his international sailing experiences to the AYC. As a former member of the US National Optimist Team, Brady will bring valuable experiences and expertise to our Opti Racing Team.

Clara Campbell, Coach

This fall Clara will be a junior at Bentley University, where she is currently pursuing a degree in economics/finance. Clara has spent her summers in Annisquam as long as she can remember and is a graduate of the JP. Clara participated in numerous regattas throughout her time in the program, including in 2010 when she sailed in the Club 420 National Championship. Clara was a junior instructor for 2 years, followed by serving as a senior instuctor the last two summers. She loves being involved at the yacht and is looking forward to another great summer in the JP!

Daisy Hanna, Coach

This fall Daisy will be a junior at Hobart and Smith. Daisy is returning for her second summer as a senior instructor where she has been a valuable instructor in the JP. Daisy, like Clara, learned to sail here at Annisquam and is excited to share her knowledge with the youngsters of Annisquam.

Bridget Schelzi, Coach

Bridget is entering her junior year at Holy Cross. She can't wait to work at AYC for her fourth summer as a sailing instructor. Bridget has been sailing around Squam her whole life, including the Junior Olympics and Nationals. Bridget is "so excited to get back out on the water and work with such a great staff and campers."

Nick Hanna, Senior Instructor

Jack Lebel, Tennis Instructor

Jack is a sophomore at Northeastern University, where he competes on the club tennis team as he studies engineering. In high school, Jack played varisty for four years on the H-W Generals tennis team where he was a member of a state championship team and won four league titles. This is Jack's second season at AYC and he is looking forward to another successful summer on the courts.

Josh Linton

Josh will begin his freshman year at the University of Michigan next fall.  In high school, Josh played varsity tennis for four years and was also a member of the varsity golf and cross country teams at the Pingree School. Josh earned all-league honorable mention recognition in the Eastern Independent League during his sophomore and junior seasons, and hopes to continue to be successful during his senior season as captain of the varsity team.  Josh is excited and looking forward to an excellent summer at AYC this summer.

Chris McManus, Junior Instructor

Chris is a recent graduate of Concord Academy. He has sailed in the Junior Program here at Annisquam since he was 8 years old. Chris served as a junior councilor last year and he is "very much looking forward to another successful year on the water this summer."

Emily Friend, Junior Instructor

Emily Friend is entering her senior year at the Waring School in Beverly. In addition to sailing, she enjoys watching and playing lacrosse. Emily has been sailing with AYC since she was eight. For the past four summers Emily has been a crew member on the 420 race team. This is Emily's second year as a junior counselor and "she is excited to share her love for the ocean and sailing with everyone!"

Adam Piispanen, Junior Instructor

Adam is a recent graduate of Winchester High School. He is a four year varsity member on his high school’s sailing team. Having been sailing and racing around Cape Ann since he was eight, Adam has become a sailing fanatic. Adam has sailed at two other yacht clubs on Cape Ann, and is excited to join the AYC team for his second summer. After high school, Adam is hoping to go to school for naval architecture and marine engineering.