FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 2024

New England Science & Sailing Announces Leadership Transition 

STONINGTON, CT – New England Science & Sailing (NESS), a nationally recognized and award-winning nonprofit ocean adventure education organization, announced that Dr. Eric Isselhardt will be stepping down from his position as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to pursue other opportunities, effective immediately. NESS Founder and Board Chair, Spike Lobdell, will assume the role of CEO.

 Dr. Isselhardt joined NESS in 2020 as Executive Director of Education, he then assumed the role of President in 2021, and then as the second CEO of NESS in 2022. Under his direction, NESS continued its commitment to partner with schools and organizations to provide transformational experiences for students through innovative STEM education.  

“We are grateful for Eric’s leadership,” said Lobdell. Dr. Isselhardt brought a broad educational background to NESS. “His efforts built a stronger platform to serve schools and organizations as well as enhanced our already robust summer offerings. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.” 

Established in 2002, NESS grew from a small community sailing organization to a leader in experiential education, serving thousands of students each year through water-based learning platforms that include marine science, sailing, powerboating, and adventure sports. NESS was accredited by the New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC) in 2018 to validate its unique educational model.  “I am excited to be part of NESS’s dedicated staff,” said Lobdell. As CEO, Lobdell will continue to drive NESS’s strategic initiatives forward. 

“I am fortunate to be surrounded by an exceptional senior leadership team that has been integral to our success. Our future has never been brighter,” said Lobdell. Lobdell reinforced that “NESS remains committed to its founding mission – to empower K-12 students with a love of learning and advance academic opportunities through ocean-based experiential programs.”

ABOUT NEW ENGLAND SCIENCE & SAILING 
New England Science & Sailing is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that uses sailing, marine science, powerboating, and ocean adventure sports as experiential learning platforms to increase K-12 academic outcomes. NESS educators teach in classrooms and on the water, using over 100 proprietary lesson plans tied to school standards, including the Next Generation Science Standards, Ocean Literacy Principles, and Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning standards. NESS is the only school partner program accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. To learn more about NESS, visit NESSF.org. 

 
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