Current SDSA Board Members
Kate Pearson, President
A proud native of Australia, Katherine (Kate) Pearson has spent most of her adult life in the yachting industry. Along with her role as president of the San Diego Superyacht Association, she serves as Vice President/Business Development with Knight & Carver Maritime and sits on the board of the National City Chamber of Commerce. She has spent 10 years with the San Diego-based shipyard in various management roles. Prior to that, Pearson owned a successful charter sailing firm in the Mexican resort of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. Born and raised in Sydney, she managed one of Sydney’s most acclaimed restaurants. Long active in San Diego’s boating scene, she resides in San Diego with her husband, Eric, and young daughter Lilly. Contact Kate
Tom Jarvis, Vice President
San Diego Marine Exchange has been a landmark for quality marine products since 1950. Along with Downwind Marine (est. 1976) and Sailing Supply (est. 1972), we make up part of a complete chandlery dedicated to finding you the right equipment and supplies at the right price to meet your vessel's cruising, racing, maintenance or safety requirements. We focus on your vessel's boatyard and operating requirements, including engine-related parts and running gear, electrical products, pumps and replacement parts, plumbing fittings, sandpaper and other abrasives, and cleaning products. Make the San Diego Marine Exchange family of stores your marine outfitter, whether your recreational outing, race or trip is for the day, the weekend or forever beyond the horizon. We offer online services, and our experienced staff of bluewater, competitive and maintenance mariners is only a phone call or e-mail away. Contact Tom
Cris Wenthur, Secretary
Attorneys Cris John Wenthur, LL.M. and Matthew O. Foley III, LL.M. are here to assist you with your legal needs. We specialize in Yacht, Jet & Vehicle Taxation Worldwide, Trusts & Estates, Business Formation and Structuring, Income Tax Planning & Presentation. Taxation practice includes sales and use tax matters relating to the offshore delivery of vessels, and federal and state tax return preparation for business, individuals and estate. Estate and trust practice includes tax planning, trust preparation and administration, as well as trustee and beneficiary rights and duties. Corporate and Business practice includes the representation of businesses and owners in various industries including manufacturing, service, software and high-tech, from entity formation, joint venture partnering, financing, acquisitions, contracting and operational matters. Contact Cris
Patti Palanza, Treasurer
Patti Walker-Palanza founded Walker Interiors in San Diego over 20 years ago with 7 years prior in Arizona. With 27 years in the Design industry she has a wide variety of contacts and has traveled to many locations. Walker Interiors has completed a broad range of refit and new build projects ranging in size from 27' sailboats to 288' custom yachts. Patti's many years of success are attributed to her creative expertise, engineering ability and attention to detail. Contact Patti
Liz Robertson, Membership
Growing up in the San Franciso Bay area my family has owned many boats throughout my lifetime and my husband and are boaters as well. The largest family owned boat was a 65’ Chris Craft Motor Yacht. While going to college in San Diego I worked part-time at Jack Kelly Yacht Sales in Shelter Island, San Diego along with Northrop and Johnson Yacht Sales. . Pursuing my marketing and business degree with an emphasis on insurance I then landed a job as an Insurance Agent/Broker for Hall and Malone Marine Insurance also located in Shelter Island where I worked for many years until changing firms to work for well known Fraser Yacht Insurance in Newport Beach, California. I have over 20 years of Maritime experience and am currently employed as the Division Manager of Luxury Yachts for Fraser Yacht Insurance. My husband and I reside in North County San Diego. Contact Liz
Eric Pearson, Association Liaison
A San Diego native, Eric has been involved in all aspects of the southern Californian boating community his entire life. During his college years, Eric managed his family's high-profile Shelter Island fueling facility, Pearson's Marine Fuel, which gave him the advantage of working with all types of boats on a daily basis. This followed with crew positions on a significant number of vessels, from mega-yachts to commercial tugs. His intimate knowledge and experience in the boating industry lead to an offer to join the prestigious Fraser Yachts. Contact Eric