Gary Jobson Speaker Biography
World-Class Sailor, Television Commentator and Author, Named “Admiral of the Chesapeake”
As a sailor, Gary Jobson has enjoyed a long and successful career in boats small and large. He was twice named College Sailor of the Year. He has won many of the world’s offshore races, and he was tactician on the winning America’s Cup yacht, Courageous, in 1977, with skipper Ted Turner. He started his career as a sailing coach at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and later at the U.S. Naval Academy. Since then, Jobson has authored 23 books on sailing, narrated or produced 1,200 television programs and films, has given over 2,900 lectures, and has competed in 6,000 races. His articles appear regularly in Sailing World magazine, Cruising World magazine, and What’s Up Annapolis. In addition to these achievements, Jobson spent 31 years with ESPN covering nine America’s Cup events and producing many documentaries. He has covered seven Olympics and an America’s Cup for NBC, most recently Paris 2024. For his work in television, Jobson has been presented with three Emmys, six Tellys and an ACE Award.
Boards
Jobson is a Trustee Emeritus at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Chair of the Friends of St. John’s College, and Co-Chair of the National Sailing Hall of Fame. He is also a Past President of US Sailing, America’s governing body of sailing, and Past Vice President of World Sailing.
Commentator
Jobson spent 31 years with ESPN covering nine America’s Cup events and producing many documentaries. He has covered seven Olympics (including the upcoming Tokyo Olympics) and an America’s Cup for NBC. For his work in television, Jobson has been presented with two Emmys, four Tellys and an ACE Award.
Philanthropy
For many years, Jobson has been actively involved with education, environmental issues and healthcare. From 1993-2017 he served as Chair of the Leukemia Cup Regatta Series, which has raised over $60 million. Jobson spent 15 years on the Board of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Virginia. In 2012 the Gary Jobson Professorship of Medical Oncology was established at the University of Maryland Medical School for Dr. Aaron Rapoport. (Jobson survived a two-year battle with lymphoma in 2003-04).
Honors and Awards
Jobson was inducted into the National Sailing Hall of Fame (2011) and the America’s Cup Hall of Fame (2003) by the Herreshoff Marine Museum. In 1999 he won the Nathanael G. Herreshoff Trophy, US SAILING’s most prestigious award.
Education
Jobson is a Graduate of the State University of New York Maritime College. He attended Graduate School at CW Post College (Political Science) and was awarded a Doctor of Letters from the State University of New York in 2005, and a Doctor of Humane Letters by Lakeland College in 2013.
Gary and his wife, Janice, have three grown daughters and five grand children. The Jobsons have lived in Annapolis, Maryland since 1977. Jobson’s hobbies include daysailing Whirlwind, his open cockpit sloop, skiing, flyfishing, reading and taking long walks.
Gary Jobson Speaking Topics
Sailing to Success: Leadership, Teamwork and Winning Under Pressure
Drawing on his experience winning the America’s Cup with Ted Turner and competing in thousands of races, Gary Jobson takes audiences behind the scenes of championship sailing to reveal what separates winning teams from the competition. He explores preparation, communication, trust, leadership, adaptability, strategic decision-making, and the importance of every team member understanding both the mission and their individual role. Using dramatic sailing stories and memorable lessons from decades of elite competition, Jobson shows organizations how championship principles from the water translate directly to business—particularly when teams must perform under pressure, respond quickly to changing conditions, and remain focused on a common objective.
The America’s Cup: Lessons in Strategy, Innovation and Teamwork
The America’s Cup combines elite athletic performance with technology, innovation, strategy, leadership, and extraordinary teamwork. As the winning tactician aboard Ted Turner’s Courageous in 1977 and a veteran of the sport at its highest levels, Jobson offers an insider’s perspective on what it takes to compete and succeed when the stakes are highest. Through stories from the America’s Cup and other major international competitions, he demonstrates how successful teams anticipate change, communicate effectively, innovate continuously, adjust strategy when conditions shift, and maintain their focus despite intense pressure. The result is an entertaining presentation with practical lessons for leaders and organizations navigating competitive and rapidly changing environments.
Charting a Course Through Challenge and Change
Success rarely follows a perfectly predictable course. Drawing upon his experiences as a champion sailor, broadcaster, author, organizational leader, and cancer survivor, Jobson explores how individuals and teams respond when circumstances suddenly change. Sailing provides a powerful metaphor: leaders must establish a destination while remaining prepared to alter course as conditions evolve. Jobson shares lessons about resilience, preparation, optimism, decision-making, and maintaining perspective during difficult periods. His stories demonstrate that setbacks do not have to determine the final outcome and that teams capable of communicating, adapting, and maintaining confidence can continue moving forward even when conditions appear to be working against them.
A Life in Sailing: Stories, Adventure and Inspiration
From winning the America’s Cup alongside Ted Turner to covering the world’s greatest sailing competitions for ESPN and NBC, Gary Jobson has enjoyed a remarkable front-row seat to sailing history. In this highly visual and entertaining presentation, he shares memorable stories from decades of racing, broadcasting, writing, coaching, and exploring the world by sail. Jobson takes audiences behind the scenes of legendary races and extraordinary personalities while sharing the lessons he has learned about competition, preparation, teamwork, perseverance, and pursuing ambitious goals. The program can be tailored for corporate audiences, maritime organizations, sailing groups, educational institutions, and events seeking an inspiring combination of adventure, humor, history, and practical wisdom.
Gary Jobson Books
Gary Jobson: An American Sailing Story
Purchase Book
Sailing Fundamentals
Purchase Book
Fighting Finish: The Volvo Ocean Race
Purchase Book
The Winner’s Guide to Optimist Sailing
Purchase Book
Gary Jobson’s Championship Sailing
Purchase BookGary Jobson Videos
Gary Jobson Articles
Gary Jobson Speaker Testimonials
“He kept us mesmerized with personal observations as well as super videos of great events, boats and other adventures on the water.”
- Chicago Yacht Club |
