WAYNE KOIDE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Wayne Koide, is a native of El Cerrito. With a B.S. in Civil Engineering from UC Berkeley, he was commissioned as an Air Force officer in the same year he graduated. Wayne attended pilot training at Reese AFB in Lubbock Texas and received his wings in 1979. He flew the KC-135, T-38, E-3 (AWACS) and KC-10 aircraft. In 1991, he was called to active duty as a US Air Force reservist and flew numerous combat missions in support of Operation Desert Storm. In 1986, Wayne was hired as a pilot for FedEx and retired as an MD-11 Captain after a thirty-year career there.
Wayne has been a sailor for over forty years. He has an extensive racing background having competed both inshore and offshore on events like the Transpac, Pacific Cup, Newport Bermuda, Rolex Big Boat series and numerous other local racing venues.
In 2016, he founded STEMsail, a program designed to engage young people by introducing them to basic STEM concepts using sailing as a platform for learning.
He is currently cruising his boat, “Flyer,” across the Pacific Ocean and is now in New Zealand preparing for the next leg of his trip. Wayne feels that it is vital for young people to develop critical thinking skills and an appreciation for our environment, particularly our oceans. “Passing on my love of sailing and adventure to young people is it’s own reward.”