PORT TOWNSEND — Two prominent Port Townsend maritime education organizations have set sights on setting sail as one.
The Wooden Boat Foundation and Northwest Maritime Center on Tuesday announced their intent to “integrate” as a single nonprofit organization, which is expected to take up to six months.
Aletia Alvarez, who along with the Wooden Boat Foundation board originally spearheaded the concept of a maritime center for the foundation’s programs, returns to the re-integrating organization as its program director.
Dave Robison, who has served as executive director of the Northwest Maritime Center since its start in 1999, will serve as executive director of the merged organizations.
The Wooden Boat Foundation has been headed by an interim director, Kaci Cronkhite, since March of last year.
On April 1, Cronkhite will shift from the interim position to her fourth year as director of the foundation’s annual Wooden Boat Festival.
The 29th festival will be held Sept. 9-11.
Former executive director
Alvarez served as the 27-year-old foundation’s executive director from 1994-2000. She said Tuesday she was “inspired” to return to the fold.
“I worked with foundation as a consultant since I left and watched the two organizations go through the challenge and working together, and that inspires me,” she said, adding that’s why she accepted the job two weeks ago.
She starts work March 31.
Alvarez’s return will ensure that youth and adult programs offered by the Wooden Boat Foundation are operating at a high level when doors to the Northwest Maritime Center open as early as summer 2007, officials said.
Alvarez will oversee a full slate of educational programs this year, including expanded advanced sailing instruction for adults, a growing rowing club and longboat programs that reach more local and regional youth.
The merger of the two organizations is intended to facilitate a stronger partnership and more collaboration in the planning, design and fund-raising associated with development of the $10 million Northwest Maritime Center, as well as sustaining and expanding the Wooden Boat Foundation’s renowned programs, activities and services.
