500 Sails Announces New Leadership Structure to Expand Cultural and Strategic Alliances

500 Sails today announced a structural leadership reorganization designed to support its next phase of growth, coinciding with the upcoming completion of a major renovation at its Cultural Maritime Training Center.

With the renovation of the Cultural Maritime Training Center (CMTC) nearing completion, 500 Sails is entering a new phase of growth as an institution. The organization provides critical training to revive traditional seafaring and build a local maritime workforce in the Northern Mariana Islands. Funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), the project transforms a 30,000-square-foot warehouse in Lower Base, Saipan. The upgraded facility features new classrooms, administrative offices, a student lounge, restrooms, and a spacious cultural activities hall, along with specialized material storage, showers, and an office for the adjacent boatyard.

"This investment by the EDA will help 500 Sails and our partners – the Indigenous Affairs Office and Northern Marianas College – deliver quality culturally rooted maritime vocational and professional training for our community across the archipelago and the Pacific,” said Jun Coleman of 500 Sails. "The upgraded facilities at the CMTC will provide a unique and innovative modern learning environment for the classes we offer. These include Traditional Carolinian Navigation, Sailing and Voyaging, Canoe Building and Maintenance, facilities for U.S. Coast Guard-approved courses for captains and mariners, as well as American Red Cross-certified Water Safety courses.

"Additional classrooms and an upgraded boatyard bring added capacity to the CMTC for more students to attend. We envision local and off-island students coming to the CMTC for training and certification, strengthening our islands' ocean heritage and maritime workforce. The CMTC is on course to be a premier regional center for the fabrication and production of traditional designed vessels that serve and connect our island communities.”

500 Sails' new leadership structure reflects its dual nature as both a cultural organization and a nonprofit corporation. The Executive Director position that has served both the cultural and business needs has been replaced with two new positions: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Director of Cultural & Strategic Alliances.

The CEO will lead the growth and development of 500 Sails' operations and programs, strengthening the organization's capacity to serve the community and advance its mission of revitalizing and sustaining traditional maritime heritage. Meanwhile, the Director of Cultural & Strategic Alliances will focus on developing and strengthening relationships with cultural organizations and supporters, while cultivating new strategic partnerships throughout the Pacific and internationally.

Jun Coleman has already transitioned into the role of Director of Cultural & Strategic Alliances. Co-Founder Pete Perez will serve as Interim CEO while 500 Sails conducts a search for the right candidate.

Interested in leading the next chapter of 500 Sails? Qualified candidates who are passionate about organizational leadership, community development, and sustaining traditional maritime heritage are invited to apply for the Chief Executive Officer position.

To apply, please email a cover letter and resume to exec@500sails.org. For more information about the position and application process, please contact the organization at the same address.

As facilities evolve, so does the organization. 500 Sails looks forward to what this next chapter will bring for the institution and the communities it serves.