Community Relations Manager

Traci Mead, Community Relations Manager, joined the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center in May 2011. Her role is to support MCSC in development of promotional opportunities, membership efforts, and soliciting funds/partnerships for capital campaigns and improvements. She will also manage and market rental use of the stunning MCSC meeting space to members and the general public for utilization of weddings, corporate meetings, and other special occasions.

Her background in non-profit organization management includes serving as Executive Director for the Port Washington Business Improvement District where she developed and managed the annual Maritime Heritage Festival. Securing visits of notable tallships such as Wisconsin's own, Denis Sullivan, Brig Niagara, The Niña, and the HMS Bounty, famous for its appearance in several big screen movie productions. Maritime related events under her guidance included appearances of United States Coast Guard vessels and personnel. Traci also worked with the local parochial school system in developing a "maritime based" curriculum, and co-produced a weekend long, "Lake Michigan Lighthouse Tour," with participant locations from Racine north to Door County in Wisconsin.

Her deep experience in events management will benefit the MCSC two flagship events: The annual, "Sailor’s Ball," a festive and popular event hosted by the sailing center in mid-winter, and the highly regarded summer event, "MCSC Lobster Boil." Traci also has in-depth career experience in radio, television, and print media which will support outreach and public relations initiatives of the MCSC.

Traci brings to the newly developed position heartfelt enthusiasm for the sailboat industry. She served as Advertising Sales and Promotions Coordinator in the 1980s for SAILING Magazine, subsequently becoming an avid sailor herself. Traci has been a crew member aboard a variety of Lake Michigan sailboats competing in the local racing circuit, and for several Queens' Cup, Clipper Cup, and Chicago to Mackinac race events. Traci formerly served as a Commissioner for the Port Washington Harbor Committee, and also on the Board of Directors for the Port Washington Maritime Heritage Center.