David Rockefeller
IOD FLEET: Northeast Harbor
ACTIVE PERIOD: ’50s – Present
IOD ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS: David has been a stalwart competitor leading the largest IOD Fleet for more than 20 years. He first won Northeast Harbor’s coveted August Series in 1964 and has won it 19 more times. As a world championships competitor, David was often in the hunt for a podium position and has won numerous races. He was the World Class Association President from 1997-1999, during which he engineered acceptance of the IOD as the first ISAF Classic Class. Since then he has served on numerous committees, including chairing the nominating committee for several years.
After several years as a member of the Pew Oceans Commission, which released its ground-breaking report on the health of the oceans, David decided action among sailors was critical. He founded Sailors for the Sea, a foundation dedicated to protecting the world’s oceans, promoting clean/green regattas, raising environmental awareness among all boaters, and changing destructive behaviors towards the ocean environment.
He has been instrumental in providing an opportunity for youth sailors to accomplish their dreams.