Founder Profiles
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Founder & Vice PresidentJohn Reichel
A native of Oyster Bay, N.Y., John has been designing performance sailing yachts for over 40 years. A graduate of the University of Michigan’s acclaimed Naval Architecture program, John apprenticed with Doug Peterson in the early 1980s during that firm’s domination of the IOR racing scene. Since then, John has been refining what his partner Jim Pugh describes as “an uncanny ability to quickly grasp where art and science meet in the field of yacht design.
He gets to the technological ‘sweet spot’ quickly, coming up with elegant solutions to problems that others would never recognize.” John’s success with diverse designs such as the America’s Cup, offshore and inshore racing, and one-designs is a testament to his enormous talent.
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Founder & PresidentJim Pugh
A native of Liverpool, England, Jim is the driving force behind the design concepts cultivated by Reichel/Pugh. He works intimately with John Reichel and clients to evaluate their options and achieve their vision. With more than four decades’ experience of inshore and offshore competition, he stays ahead of trends in Grand Prix yachting. His insights have resulted in the emergence of new paradigms in yachting. Of his design philosophy, Jim says, “One of the important features which distinguish us from other design firms is our ability to think outside the box because we collaborate so readily with outside experts. We’re in a great position to utilize the tremendous enthusiasm and knowledge of our own team, plus each is an expert in their field.”
Team Profiles
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Senior Design, Naval Architecture & Project ManagementAnthony Beale
Originally from New Orleans, Tony earned his degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the Webb Institute in N.Y. His studies have been refined with years of experience as a naval architect in the commercial/navy vessel industry. Tony’s extensive racing history complements his professional skills and provides a strong background for yacht design. Tony joined Reichel/Pugh in 2005.
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Design, Naval Architecture & Structural EngineeringDavid Oliver
David grew up sailing dinghies and keelboats from a young age in Connecticut before attending the University of Michigan. He graduated with a degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering and joined Reichel/Pugh in 2014 after previous work in both yacht design and commercial shipping. David brings a broad set of skills encompassing both structural engineering and yacht design concepts combined with extensive racing experience around the country, including four years of college sailing.
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Design & Project ManagementKate Herron
A native of Annapolis, Kate grew up campaigning one-design sailboats, earning several world titles in addition to distance records. She holds a masters degree in Architectural Design through the Rhode Island School of Design and the University of Pennsylvania. Leveraging her background in architecture, industrial design and creative direction she collaborates on the design and styling for new yachts, as well as chronicles Reichel/Pugh’s rich design, engineering and racing history. Kate joined Reichel/Pugh in 2006.