Capt. Dave McCabe – CEO & Founder
As the Chief Executive Officer of the Sailing Angels Foundation, Dave is ultimately accountable for its scope of service, performance & financial health. He relies on the Board of Directors for their counsel and recommendations, and with the support of our team of volunteers, their enactment of our foundation’s goals & objectives.
Dave’s life journey includes many interesting & diverse experiences: as a builder of rockets in his youth; from childhood to now: a transatlantic sailor & more; a commercial diver, private pilot, and rocket scientist. He began teaching sailing 30 years ago and is the owner of the Blue Marlin Sailing School. Eighteen (18) years ago, he began his boating charity initiatives for special needs children.
Dave retired as an IBM Executive in 2006. Prior to that he was extensively involved in the military & NASA aerospace business (5 different programs over almost 4 decades). From his birth throughout his teens, he was challenged with many significant health problems; additionally, he was exposed to many social concerns. Both of these factorsmade an indelible impact on his life. Dave’s unique life experiences help explain his intense focus on helping those in need, regardless of their health or social challenges. Hence, his formation of the Sailing Angels Foundation was a continuation of his life’s purpose!
These days, Dave’s focus is on his family, the Sailing Angels ever -expanding charitable initiatives, leisure sailing, genealogy research, and entrepreneurial pursuits. He and his wife Margie have been married for 61 years and have 3 children & 7 grandchildren.
Debbie Hughes – Chairman of the Board & Co-Founder
As Board Chairman, Debbie is responsible for the Sailing Angels Foundation’s overall service operations and community outreach. With her direction and support by our fellow directors & volunteers, the foundation’s many goals & objectives are being achieved.
Debbie is the co-founder of the Sailing Angels Foundation, and one of our longest serving volunteers, having participated in our charitable initiatives for more than seventeen years.
As a senior project manager for an insurance group, Debbie works closely with veterans and individuals with disabilities. Seeing some of their hardships, she wanted to share an outlet for them to enjoy life. During her many years of participating in these charitable works, Debbie has introduced hundreds of families to hydrotherapy, learned to become a skilled sailor, and trains volunteers on how to crew on a sailboat.
Outside of creating opportunities for her passengers, Debbie’s fundraising and marketing efforts have helped grow the organization from just one boat and a handful of volunteers to more than 40 boats and with more than 100 volunteers. As she averages more than 300 volunteer hours each year, Debbie not only sails the boat with skill, but she can be found interacting with her passengers. Her infectious smile and kind demeanor help to calm those who are apprehensive about going on the water for the first time. Debbie’s compassionate spirit leads many wounded warriors to share their stories and offers encouraging hugs to children.
Recently widowed, Debbie appreciates the love and support of her two daughters and son-in-law.
Ken Gallia – Director
As a member of our Board of Directors, Ken responsibilities include:
- Implementation of the foundation’s many goals & objectives,
- Community Outreach,
- Fundraising and
- Event Organization
Ken has been an active Sailing Angels volunteer, with his sailboat, for the past 12 years. He is the District Sales Engineer for the Bussmann Division of the Eaton Corporation.
Along with his wife, Maureen, they have 2 daughters plus 2 grandchildren.
Barbara White – Director
Barbara has been an active Sailing Angels volunteer for 13 Years. Her responsibilities include:
- Implementation of the foundation’s many goals & objectives,
- Marketing Promotions,
- Community Outreach, and
- Fundraising
After Barbara’s 22 years of employment with Deer Park ISD, she retired in 2007. She later became an active Sailing Angels crewmember, and had more time to teach Sunday School to Special Needs Adults, reading, and traveling with family and friends.
She is totally committed to her special needs son, John, and beautiful daughter, Jodie, as well as her 2 grandsons.