Our Team

Alan Veenstra

Owner and company president
It is said that if you follow your passion you will always be happy. This is certainly true for Alan Veenstra, owner of Chicago Sailing. While occasionally distracted by non-sailing life events, Alan has never lost his passion for anything having to do with the world of sailing, vocationally or avocationally.

His life of waterborne adventure started as a child, growing up in Naples, Florida, then an outpost on the edge of the Everglades. His father operated a sportfishing marina. By the time he reached grade school, Alan was living in Racine, Wisconsin, directly overlooking Lake Michigan. He learned to sail at age 11 and has never wavered from that course.

For many years Alan pursued competitive racing in Penguins, Finns and Thistles, then turning his attention to offshore racers. As crew and skipper he has won numerous regional championships and even some national events. Today he mostly competes in singlehanded races, including the Bermuda 1-2 and numerous solo Mac races.

When Chicago Sailing Club became available in 2000, Alan seized the opportunity to pursue sailing as a vocation with share his passion for the sport with thousands of new sailors. And while the corporate name changed to Chicago Sailing, Inc in 2003, Alan has insisted that the ‘club’ atmosphere remain unchanged. He is most proud of his professional staff whom he credits with making sailing easy, safe and fun.

Alan and the crew are always looking for ways to improve their service to you. Please contact us personally or via phone or email.

Heather Clark

Director of Operations and Marketing
Heather joined Chicago Sailing just prior to the 2009 Season. She manages the marketing activities and operations for Chicago Sailing year-round.

A native of Upstate New York, Heather moved to Chicago 6 years ago to pursue a career in theater. After years spent working with some of Chicago's finest theater companies, she left the arts community to pursue a passion for marketing and business operations. She fortunately landed at Chicago Sailing!

Prior to joining Chicago Sailing, Heather had no idea of the extent of the sailing community in Chicago. She did grow up on a small lake and water skied in the summer. The 2010 Season marked the start of her sailing adventure, so look for her out on the water.

Email Heather at any time.

Tom Macku

Director of Sailing Services
I started flying airplanes prior to sailing. Specifically, I flew the Cessna line including the 150, 172 and the multiengine 421's. My love of the wind transformed some years later to the water and I began sailing in 1992. I started working at Chicago Sailing as an instructor in the J22's and now teach all of the courses that are offered in the program. Now, I have a special affinity for teaching the advanced courses.

A few years ago I earned my OUPV Captain's License and have taken many groups of people out on the lake for short cruises. This year I received my Master's Upgrade for 100 ton inspected vessels.

I have significant sailing time in the southern part of Lake Michigan in a variety of water conditions during our various lake conditions. Other places that I've sailed were in the Virgin Islands, the gulf side of Florida and also the Atlantic side and in the Mediterranean Sea off of the coast of Benidorm, Spain. My recent sailing voyage was outside the boundary of Tampa on a 41 foot catamaran which I found to be quite the same as a monohull but with significantly less heel. My next sailing venture will be next year some place further south in the Caribbean Sea.

Magda Gaca

Director of Events
Magda has been with Chicago Sailing since the 2007 Season. You'll often speak to her on the phone or see her in the Houseboat Office - she oversees scheduling operations and manages the office staff.

Originally from Poland, Magda keeps pursuing her passion for travelling around the world. Paris, Rome, Barcelona, London and Tokyo are just few from among the cities she has visited. And so is Chicago, where she returns each year for the exciting sailing season. She tries to focus on advancing her sailing and having mastered the small boats, she is now moving on to sailing cruising boats. You might be passing her on your fireworks charter this year!

Bill Sherlock

Office Manager/Bookkeeper
Bill Sherlock is thrilled to be working as bookkeeper for Chicago Sailing since 2009. His past credits include; ride operator at Kiddieland; file room supervisor at Fagel, Haber, & Maragos; houseparent at St. Joseph Indian School; compounder at Alberto-Culver. He has twice appeared as The Umpire in IHSA State Football Championship. Bill came to accounting like most people, by majoring in history at Loyola University. In his insignificant amount of free time Bill enjoys playing a round of bad golf and cycling.