America’s Boating Club Of Great South Bay Installs New Commander, Officers

EAST ISLIP, NY — America’s Boating Club of Great South Bay, a unit of United States Power Squadrons, has installed its new officers for the 2026-2027 term.

The organization held its annual “Change of Watch” ceremony on Friday, February 27, at the Ancient Order of Hibernians on Champlin Avenue in East Islip. The evening was emceed by Past Commander Larry McCourt, AP, and drew more than 85 squadron members, along with elected officials and community leaders.

• Jeanne Braun, AP, of West Islip, was installed as Squadron Commander. Joining her on the Bridge are:

• Marie Wallach, AP, of Holbrook, Executive Officer

• Diane Boland, S, of West Islip, Administrative Officer

• Michael Boland, AP, of West Islip, Educational Officer

• Steve Potestio, P, of Holbrook, Treasurer

• Alan Siegel, AP, of Bay Shore, Secretary

Commander Braun, an Advanced Pilot within the organization, previously served as Executive Officer for the past two years. She has also held leadership roles as Director of Advanced Grades and Public Education and as Vessel Safety Acting Chair, in addition to serving on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee.

During the ceremony, proclamations were presented to Outgoing Commander James Milton, JN, of East Islip, who served as commander for five years, and to William Restmeyer, AP, of Bay Shore, who stepped down after serving as Secretary for the past two years to pursue other responsibilities within the organization.

Among those in attendance to present proclamations were Town of Huntington Senior Harbormaster Jeffrey Kroop, Nassau County Police Department Marine Bureau Sergeant Stephen Sinclair, and Suffolk County Legislator Steven Flotteron.

Additional proclamations and letters of recognition were received from Town of Babylon Supervisor Richard Schaffer; Suffolk County Legislators Trish Bergin and Richard J. Renna; Suffolk County Presiding Officer Anthony Piccirillo; Suffolk County Clerk Vincent Puleo; Suffolk County Sheriff Dr. Errol Toulon Jr.; New York State Assemblyman Keith Brown; New York State Senator Monica Martinez; and U.S. Congressman Nick LaLota.

America’s Boating Club and the United States Power Squadrons are nonprofit organizations made up of boating enthusiasts dedicated to recreational boating, safety, and education. As a public service, the organization offers safe boating courses, which have helped more than three million students nationwide learn how to make their boating safer and more enjoyable.

America’s Boating Club of Great South Bay offers public safe boating courses throughout the year in Islip, Babylon, and Brookhaven towns. For more information about upcoming courses, visit boatgsb.org or contact Lt./C Michael Boland, AP, Squadron Educational Officer, at seo@boatgsb.org.

Organized in 1914, the United States Power Squadrons is the world’s largest private boating organization, with more than 25,000 members in over 300 local squadrons across the country.