Naples Yacht Club, the first and oldest private club in Naples, today announced its incoming officers and directors, which includes Kathy Parks King as Rear Commodore. In electing Parks, Naples Yacht Club becomes one of only a few yacht clubs in Florida and nationwide to have a woman in such a high ranking, leadership role.
“I am honored and privileged to serve as Rear Commodore of Naples Yacht Club,” Parks said. “I want to honor the club’s traditions while maintaining its reputation for excellence and service to the community through the Blue Gavel Scholarship program. We are a unique organization steeped in history, interwoven with the development of Naples.”
Originally from York, Pennsylvania, King and her husband Tighe have maintained a home in Naples since the early 1990s. She holds an undergraduate degree in Education from Millersville University and taught in Pennsylvania and California. After completing her Master’s degree at the University of Maryland, King founded a private academic school with a focus on early childhood development. Her community involvement includes serving as Chair of the York County SPCA and the Humane Society Naples.
King was invited to join the Naples Yacht Club in 2011. She was elected to the Board of Directors in 2018. As Rear Commodore, King will serve on the Naples Yacht Club House Committee; Chair the Building, Grounds and Docks Committee; and lead the board and staff in the development of a strategic plan. She also will be on track in a few years to potentially serve in the highest-ranking leadership role at the club - Commodore.
Others joining Parks on the Board of Directors include Joseph W. McClanathan, Commodore; Richard B. Maxwell, Vice Commodore; Carol E. Girardin, Treasurer; Thomas G. Fitzgerald, Secretary; Steven R. McGirr, Director; Brett A. Pheffer, Director; C. Russell McKee, Director; and John H. Tisdel, Director.
Located at the southern end of Seventh Street in the Aqualane Shores section of Naples, the Naples Yacht Club was founded in 1947 by three friends - Stephen Briggs, Benny Morris and John Glen Sample. In 2019, the Club completed a $10-million-dollar renovation and expansion that completely updated the clubhouse that was built in 1960.
The newly expanded Naples Yacht Club features a two-story clubhouse with full-service boat slips situated right on Naples Bay.