MEET THE TEAM
SCOTT GREALISH - FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR
Scott is a lifelong sailor. He has built, owned, and raced boats ranging from dinghies to 40' carbon fiber ocean racers.
He is a past winner of the Chicago Mackinac, Transpac, and Newport Ensenada (3x) offshore races, and has sailed over 50k miles.
He has donated boats to the Sea Scouts, NW Maritime Center, Cal Maritime, and the Willamette Sailing Club where he founded the 29er skiff program for elite youth sailors in 2014.
He is a US Sailing Certified Coach and has applied for his United States Coast Guard 25 ton Masters License.
He recently retired to Bend Oregon after 25 years in practice as a surgeon and partner at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland.
When he isn't sailing, cycling or skiing he makes music for fun, travels with his wife Alenka, and if he's lucky gets to hang out with his 20 something kids Sean and Kat.
He hopes to inspire and build the sailing community with the Blueflash Sailing Foundation.
KERRY POe - BOARD MEMBER
Kerry Poe is a living legend in the Portland sailing community. He is a former member of the US Sailing team and participated in two Olympic campaigns as a 470 skipper. Kerry is also a past National Champion in multiple classes, with experience ranging from dinghies to offshore racing. Scott and Kerry have done extensive offshore sailing together, including the Chicago Mac, Cabo Race, and several Newport Ensenada wins.
He is the founder of the Columbia Gorge Racing Association (CGRA), which has been running world class sailing events in the Gorge for decades, including numerous World Championships. Kerry has been the PRO for countless regattas in the region where his experience as a racer adds tremendous value to the events.
Kerry is the Founder and Owner of North Sails Oregon which has successfully served the Portland Sailing Community for several decades providing top quality North Sails, service, and canvas work.
Kerry is a sought after coach for North University nationally and provides coaching locally on the Columbia for the J24 class.His expertise will be invaluable in growing the Melges 20 community in Portland!
Gillian Gates - Operations and Communication
Gillian learned to sail at the Willamette Sailing Club (WSC) in the early '90s and quickly became a resident "dock rat." She taught at WSC for over a decade and went on to lead the WSC Sailing School after graduating from Oregon State University. While at OSU, she partnered with a small group to restart the OSU Sailing Club, served as Vice Commodore for this venture, and coached the team to participate in every regional regatta in its inaugural season. Gillian was also an active rower in her college days and attended the 2001 US Rowing Junior National Development Camp.
Gillian worked in healthcare (as a paramedic and then as a physician assistant) for nearly two decades before returning to her passion—being on the water. After some time working at REI in Operations, she is delighted to be back at WSC - this time as Club Manager.
These days, Gillian is regular crew on J/120 Pathfinder, sometimes skipper of a Lido 14, keeps her own Catalina 25 afloat, and is typically more than happy to jump on any boat that needs a skipper or crew—whether for buoy racing, day sailing, or offshore adventuring.
LANGDON JUNGE - FLEET MAINTENANCE
Langdon grew up in Eugene, OR and learned to sail and race at Eugene Yacht Club. He came up sailing Lasers, Day Sailers, and Thistles (among others), but his primary boat over the last several years has been the 505. He was fortunate enough to sail in the 2017 and 2023 505 World Championships, both of which were incredible experiences.
For his day job, Langdon is part of the boat sales team at West Coast Sailing, where he rigs, packages, and ships or delivers most of the boats that come through the warehouse. He is also a C420 instructor at the Willamette Sailing Club in his free time.
When not working or sailing, he can usually be found out on a bike ride.
Langdon is looking forward to getting to know everyone and helping care for this exciting new (to us) fleet of Melges 20s. See you on the water!
Sarah Knudsen - Clinic & Event Coordinator
Sarah has been sailing since the age of 10, first learning on a San Juan 21 in Klamath Falls, Oregon. After moving to Portland in 2022, she quickly immersed herself in the local sailing community. Currently, she skippers Calypte, an Ericson 27 in the Boat Owner and Skipper Training (BOAST) program through the Oregon Women’s Sailing Association (OWSA), and races regularly on Wild Women (a Martin 242), Kite (a Thistle), and as crew on the Melges 20s.
Sarah has earned ASA 101/103/104 certifications, completed Safety at Sea training, and volunteered at both the 35th and 37th America’s Cups. She is proud to serve as the Education Director for OWSA and will be sailing as crew on Leg 7 of the 2027–28 Clipper Round the World Race.
What keeps Sarah hooked on sailing is its accessibility and empowering nature. It’s a sport where knowledge, strategy, and teamwork create opportunities for anyone to grow. She tend to be more serious than silly on the water—there’s nothing better than a crisp tack and perfect sail trim—but are always in pursuit of the balance between performance, connection, and joy. Through coaching, racing, and leading educational programs, she hopes to continue growing the sport and sharing that sense of freedom with others