The Organization

Soon realizing that the ship could travel further and touch more people than originally imagined, in 1979 Baltimore Mayor William Donald Schaefer turned to the business community to create a Board of Directors and a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization to operate the vessel. The new Board took on that responsibility and aggressively expanded the mission and the voyages of Pride of Baltimore in the following years. The ship sailed over 150,000 miles in nine years as a Goodwill Ambassador for the City of Baltimore. On May 14, 1986, the Pride of Baltimore capsized and sank in a freak squall, 240 miles north of Puerto Rico. The Captain and three of eleven crew were lost.

Following the loss of the original Pride, it was evident that the citizens of Baltimore and Maryland wanted to build a replacement vessel. Funds for construction of Pride of Baltimore II were raised in the corporate and private sectors, and the new ship was launched in 1988.

In recognition of the evolution of the vessel's mission, ownership was transferred to the Maryland Port Administration, an agency of state government. However, the vessel continues to be managed by Pride of Baltimore, Inc., the non-profit established in 1979.

Board and Staff

Pride, Inc.'sĘ Board of Directors is composed of 25 civic and business leaders who set policy and actively oversee the operation of the vessel. The Board is chaired by JoAnne Zawitoski, a maritime lawyer with Semmes, Bowen and Semmes. The day-to-day operation of the vessel is managed by a small staff headquartered in the World Trade Center Baltimore, home of the Maryland Port Administration. The Executive Director is Linda E. Christenson, Esq. Other staff members include a Deputy Director, a Director Marketing and Development, a Director of Education and Public Relations, a Membership Manager, and two professional Captains who alternate sailing responsibilities. The staff plans the itinerary for the ship, makes advance arrangements for her travels, works with the corporate community in arranging economic development opportunities, fosters positive media relations and coverage, and coordinates educational projects. While on her world wide travels, headquarters staff in Baltimore is in daily contact with the ship through satellite communication, including e-mail, fax, and cellular phone service.