BAINBRIDGE ISLAND ROWING HIRES TWO NEW LEADERS
JUNE 28, 2024 – Bainbridge Island Rowing (BIR) is pleased to announce that it has hired Amanda Pekasky and Walker Hauptman, two national rowing talents, to join the local organization and drive its performance to the next level.
Amanda Pekasky has accepted the position of Director of Programs and Business Development. In this role, Amanda will expand upon the early work done by Lindsay Browning, who served as the organization’s first Business Director. Amanda will focus on overall club management, community engagement, venue rentals, fundraising, communications, and new program development. Pekasky was a competitive collegiate rower at the University of Virginia (UVA); she also coached at Lakeside High School and currently mentors individual youth rowers. In the last 15 years, she has developed her business skills at Lululemon, launching a new product line and managing a flagship store, and at Alo Moves as Director of Digital Content, offering award-winning online classes in fitness, meditation, nutrition, and self-care. She brings demonstrated leadership, team building, sales, community engagement, event planning and execution, along with a long-time multi-level involvement in our sport.
Walker Hauptman has accepted the position of Deputy Director of Rowing. In this role, Walker will focus on our rowing programs, coaching, regattas, and equipment. He will also serve as Varsity Boys Coach, succeeding founding coach Bruce Beall. Hauptman is an accomplished competitive rower and coach. He rowed with BIR in high school, then at Lewis and Clark College and Western Washington University, competing at Nationals multiple times. He brings nine years of progressive rowing and coaching experience, a strong dedication to athlete development, and lifelong engagement in the sport. Most recently he served as Head Novice Coach at the University of Virginia (UVA), one of the top rowing programs in the country. He also served as Masters Coach at Rivanna Rowing Club in Virginia, Head Coach at Whatcom Rowing Association, and Men’s Assistant Coach at Western Washington University. He will complete his US Rowing Level 3 coaching certification this summer and is also skilled in rowing and regatta operations as well as equipment maintenance and repair.
“We are deeply grateful to Bruce for the visionary leadership he has provided over 15+ years with BIR, and for the many hundreds of lives he has positively impacted through the sport of rowing” said Jill Bamburg, BIR Board President. “We’re delighted that he will continue to be engaged with BIR, both in coaching and fundraising, during his ‘retirement’. We’ll be honoring Bruce’s legacy at our annual auction in November.”
“We’re also grateful to Lindsay for stepping off the Board into a staff role to launch our venue rental business and strengthen our marketing and external communications efforts during a pivotal time of transition for the organization. Lindsay will continue her volunteer roles with BIR, serving on the Community Engagement Committee and as Junior Travel Co-Chair.”
“With Walker’s strong coaching talent and Amanda’s extensive business skills, we are excited to build on Bruce and Lindsay’s outstanding work and usher in a new era for Bainbridge Island Rowing.”
Bainbridge Island Rowing (BIR) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization currently serving 200+ junior and adult rowers on Bainbridge Island and the West Sound region. Operating in the community since 2001, BIR runs programs and venue rentals from the new Stan Pocock Rowing Center on Eagle Harbor.
