Tommy McCormick
Program Director

Tommy joined MSA's leadership in 2024, bringing deep expertise, exceptional energy, and a clear commitment to MSA’s mission. He has spent his entire life immersed in the sport of sailing, both as a competitor and as a coach. Currently studying political science at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, Tommy is interested in American politics, classical political philosophy, and the sociology of efforts to democratize sports like sailing.

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With over ten years of competitive racing experience across the Optimist, Club 420 (as both skipper and crew), and ILCA/Laser classes, Tommy has competed at the highest levels and attended three ILCA Youth World Championships for Team USA. In addition to his personal sailing achievements, Tommy is an experienced race official and regularly contributes to regatta management at leading events across the country.

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At MSA, Tommy works with the Board of Directors to continue advancing the organization’s mission. He has assembled an outstanding staff of instructors and coaches. Through mentorship and training, he empowers them to thrive, encouraging personal and professional development while ensuring MSA delivers a consistent, high-quality experience to all sailors. Under Tommy’s leadership, MSA is embracing a more disciplined, professional approach to instructional pedagogy while still maintaining the fun and joy that define summer sailing. He is committed to operational excellence and strengthening organizational processes, overseeing every aspect of the program— from daily operations to human resources, training, regatta hosting, fundraising, and parent and sailor engagement —with professionalism and passion. Whether a sailor is looking for a fun, confidence-building experience on the water or training to compete at the highest levels of racing, Tommy is dedicated to helping each sailor succeed.

Aidan Golomb
Head Instructor

Born and raised in NYC, Aidan spends every summer in Manchester where he began sailing at the age of ten. Moving up through the MSA program, working as a junior instructor, and racing for both MSA and Pleon's 420 race teams, Aidan has competed in regattas throughout the East Coast.

Aidan attends the University of Miami and studies Finance and Legal Studies and competes on the varsity sailing team.

Before becoming Head Instructror, Aidan taught beginner Opti sailors and coached the Opti Race Team.

Jack Duffy
Head Race Coach

Coach Duffy is excited to be joining MSA as our Head Coach. He currently studies International Politics at Georgetown University and competes on behalf of the Varsity Sailing Team in fleet and team racing regattas in the highly competitive Mid-Atlantic Intercollegiate Conference.

Prior to attending Georgetown, Jack grew up in Chicago, IL, and previously served as Head C420 Race Coach at Lake Forest Sailing, where he led a small team to new heights. He's also worked with the Chicago Yacht Club and attended numerous class championship events with their C420 team.

During his youth sailing career, Coach Duffy raced the Triple Crown Circuit—the pinnacle of C420 Youth Competition—as both skipper and crew. While at St. Ignatius College Prep, Jack led his teammates to a strong finish at ISSA Baker Team Race Nationals and the Mallory Double-Handed Fleet Racing Championship, won the Great Lakes High School Sailing Championship, and earned the title of Midwest Double-Handed Champion.

Coach Duffy brings a wealth of knowledge and unparalleled drive to MSA and hopes to build on the community spirit and commitment to excellence that distinguishes our program, inspire our sailors, and guide them to new achievements !

Leo Somma
Race Coach

Leo began sailing with MSA's Dyer program at 7 years old, moved up through Opti classes, and eventually raced in local regattas as a member of the C420 Team.  More recently, Leo sailed with Pleon Yacht Club and on Tabor Academy's High School 420 Team. Leo was a Sea Cadet from 2018 – 2022 in the Navy Leauge Cadet Corps, David G. Oullet Division in Gloucester. This summer, Leo will lead our Optimist Race programs!

Ava Rizzico
Senior Instructor

Ava is looking forward to coming back to MSA for their third year as a Senior Instructor!

Ian Carlin
Senior Instructor

Ian Carlin is a rising sophmore at UMass Amherst and life-long sailor. He previously raced on behalf of our C420 Race Team and the Manchester-Essex Regional High School Sailing Team. This will be Ian's second year as a MSA Senior Instructor.

Gavin Golomb
Senior Instructor

2025 is Gavin's second year as an MSA instructor. Please join us in welcoming him back!

Reed Soininen
Senior Instructor

New to MSA this summer, Reed grew up on Cape Ann and has over a decade of sailing experience. He's excited to share his knowledge and love for the sport with our community! Please extend a warm "Tuck's Point" welcome to Reed!

Dahlia Beltramini
Junior Instructor

Dahlia fell in love with sailing at summer camp five summers ago! She's been sailing every summer since moving to Manchester. Dahlia is a rising sophmore and is on the soccer, lacrosse, and wrestling team! She also races on MSA's C420 Team during the summer. When not training herself, Dahlia enjoys working with kids, sharing her love for sailing, and being on the water as much as possible!

Beckett Gibbons
Junior Instructor

Beckett is currently a high school student. He started sailing in seventh grade when he joined the school’s spring sailing team. He later participated in MSA's Summer Camp and has been sailing there ever since! Beckett fell in love with racing on the C420 Team in 2024, and he's excited to teach kids to sail and continue sailing during 2025 as a new instructor!

Max Schulmeyer
Junior Instructor

Max is a rising senior from New York City. He has been sailing at MSA for seven years and is excited to teach the next generation of MSA sailors!

Nick Paratore Bock

When not teaching at MSA, Nick races Club 420s on the national-circut and competes on behalf of the MERHS Sailing Team!

Heather Ryan
Adult Sailing Instructor

Heather is a long-time MSA family member with years of experience teaching Adult Sailing. She's also served on the organization's Board of Directors and helmed MSA's operations as Program Director in 2024.

A lifelong sailor, Heather's excited to continue sharing her love of the sport, Manchester's beautiful coastline, and our tight-knit community with her Adult Sailing students!

Doug Walker
Adult Sailing Instructor

Doug's a veteran sailor and MSA Program Director, having led our organization for decades. He's looking forward to another fantastic summer and can't wait to be back on Manchester Harbor soon!

Shannon Walker
Adult Sailing Instructor

A former Junior Sailing Program instructor, Shannon's excited to return to MSA, where she's taught Adult Sailing for many years!

AJ Boonstra
Adult Sailing Instructor

AJ enjoys teaching Thursday Evening classes at MSA!