Bird Key Yacht Club installs new commodore, Board of Governors

It’s a tradition that dates back centuries, to the days of wooden ships and the Royal Navy ruling the seas, when a ship’s captain would assemble the crew as he passed command to his successor.

The Bird Key Yacht Club’s annual Change of Watch ceremony was a more relaxed affair, interspersed with laughs, as the club’s membership assembled to recognize the previous Board of Governors officers for their service and install the new leadership.

During her remarks, outgoing Commodore Lisa Adams more than once reminded the assembled members that her term had been extended from a year to 16 months, because while the BKYC and its traditions date back to 1960, this was the first Change of Watch in June.

The change was made so the annual transfer of leadership would coincide with the club’s fiscal year. 

“It has been an honor … it has not been without its challenges,” Adams said to the audience, before thanking many present for their support, including her husband Payson.

After her remarks, Adams passed the ceremonial gavel to new Commodore Steven Horton, signifying the transfer of leadership and responsibility for the club and its 275 members.

Horton is the 56th commodore of the club and was vice commodore for the previous watch year. He served 28 years in the U.S. Navy in the Judge Advocate General's Corps. Horton and his wife, Ann, moved to Sarasota in 2012.

Michael Landis and Tony Britt will serve alongside him as vice commodore and rear commodore. They and their fellow members on the Board of Governors were sworn in by past commodores Jim Chadwick and Curtiss Schantz.

During his remarks, Horton explained that the club has been on the comeback trail the past two years and continues to improve in many facets, including its finances, dining, staff and facilities. The membership recently approved a master plan renovation, which is working its way through permitting.

Among the club’s goals is expanding its community outreach and growing its membership to 350-375 members.

“Our secret weapon is our personal touch,” said Britt. “We’re equally a social and tennis club.”

Following the ceremony, the club members enjoyed a dinner reception. Rob Sartore, who grew up on Bird Key, provided the night’s entertainment — first on the piano and then out on the dance floor, singing with a touch of Sinatra.