Current PaNNTOA Officers
CommodoreCommodore – Jeff Redmond
Jeff Redmond is a retired Police Officer from Nevada with over 20 years of service. In the summers, Jeff spent time fishing and sight-seeing in Alaska aboard a friend’s Nordic Tug 26. After spending years in the Alaskan waters on the Nordic 26 he knew that he wanted a Nordic Tug of his own.
Jeff retired in 2019 and his dreams brought him to the San Juan Islands where he found God’s Grace, a 1997 42 Nordic Tug. He spends his summers in the San Juan’s and winters in Nevada. He looks forward to meeting more Nordic owners and hopes to cruise to Alaska in the near future.
You can reach him at: commodore@panntoa.com
Vice Commodore
Vice Commodore – Paul Bulk
Paul grew up cruising in the Pacific Northwest aboard his parents’ sailboat but always admired Nordic Tugs and their ability to go like… one knot faster. For the last 20 years or so, he has been helping to run the family cut flower farm in Brentwood Bay, BC. At 41 years old, he is likely the youngest ever board member.
Living in the best cruising grounds in the world inspired Paul and his wife, Elaine, to come up with a 5 year plan to own a boat. 2 months later they bought Crown Prince, a 32 located in Ketchikan. A very complicated, lengthy and expensive process brought the boat to Rupert where his father and crew transported it to Vancouver Island.
Many memories have been made and more await as Paul and Elaine drag their 3 children all over the Gulf Islands and beyond his dream vessel.
You can reach him at: vicecommodore@PaNNTOA.com
Rear Commodore/TreasurerTreasurer – Debbie Kochel
Debbie is a retired staff accountant, bringing both organization and attention to detail to her role as Treasurer for PaNNTOA. She and Jim feel incredibly fortunate to keep Miss Marlie NT39-222 at Anglers Anchorage Marina in Brentwood Bay, which serves as the perfect jumping-off point for their adventures. They are grateful to be part of such a welcoming and knowledgeable group and especially value the friendships they’ve formed. Being members of PaNNTOA has enriched their boating journey, and they look forward to many more seasons of cruising, learning, and camaraderie.
You can reach the PaNNTOA Treasurer at: Treasurer@PaNNTOA.com
Membership DirectorMembership Director – Christopher Kirk
Chris and his wife, Janet Stanford, started sailing in Seattle in the 1980s, and over several decades owned several sail and power boats. The constraints of two professional careers and raising a family kept pushing boating into the background until Chris retired recently after almost 40 years operating a consulting business as an architect and construction project manager, and Janet retired from cancer research.
In 2018 they bought a Nordic Tug 32, “Neverland,” joined PaNNTOA, and attended several rendezvous. Recently they traded up to an NT37, “Starfish,” and are looking forward to meeting other Nordic Tug lovers and discovering new cruising grounds.
You can reach the PaNNTOA Membership Director at: Membership@PaNNTOA.com
Communications DirectorCommunications Director – Denise Nichols
Denise Nichols and her husband Russ own a 1998 – 32 foot Nordic Tug “All R Nichols “. We used to joke that we would buy a Nordic if we ever won the Lottery. The problem was that we never bought any tickets.
However, after selling our house in Selah in 2016 and moving to Green Valley, AZ to retire, we needed a place to escape the hot summers. A tug seemed like the perfect solution. “All R Nichols” is our second home from May through September. Our home port is Swantown in Olympia. Russ likes to tell people that we like to stay “within the 60-80 degree comfort zone.” When the weather gets cold at the end of September, we close up the boat and head down to Arizona. When not out boating, we spend our time biking and visiting with family and friends.
On the docks, people are always saying how much they like the Nordics. Some have told us that we were living their dream by spending the winters in the desert and summers boating Puget Sound. Yes, we are living our dream.
You can reach her at: communications@panntoa.com
Rendezvous Director – Open- Seeking Volunteers
PaNNTOA is looking for volunteers to help with our 2026 Rendezvous. We would like to create a committee to help with the work load. Please contact any board member if you can help make 2026 a great event. We we will be in Friday Harbor, San Juan islands. Contact any board member if you are willing and able to help out.
Jeff Redmond- commodore@panntoa.com
Paul Bulk- vicecommodore@panntoa.com
Debbie Kochel- treasurer@panntoa.com
Chris Kirk- membership@panntoa.com
Website Director – Michael Brown
Websites are only as good as the content and accessibility. If you have suggestions or questions about the PaNNTOA website, please send Jeff a note.
You can reach Jeff at: Web@PaNNTOA.com