Meet the Crew

Annie Gardner, Guest Captain

Gardner is a sought after skipper and team builder who regularly organizes team building sailing events throughout the United States and Caribbean.

1995 America3 Women’s America’s Cup Team navigator and trial horse helmsman, Captain Annie Gardner is regarded as one of the best female sailors in the world. With dozens of wins, titles, and women’s firsts to her credit, she has been competing in big boat races for over 30 years. As a member of the 1984 Olympic Sailing Team, Annie garnered a silver medal in the Olympic Boardsailing Exhibition, holds 5 world titles and 17 national and international titles. Named Yachtswoman of the Year in 2006 by the Southern California Yachting Association, she brings her organizational skills, winning attitude, and compassion for teaching and empowering others to the TEAMUSA11 program.

Annie is an adjunct professor with the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business. She has worked with DU’s faculty teaching MBA students leadership, followership, business ethics, and team building skills for over 10 years.

Lynn Hanna, Captain, Co-Owner

Transplanted Texan, Captain Lynn Hanna is a retired IT professional who decided sailing was a better alternative to retirement. A former Marine Corps officer, Hanna worked in both southern California and Texas before making San Diego his permanent home in 2003. Having owned two medium size cruising sailboats in San Diego and Texas, Hanna is now a licensed 100-ton captain and has worked as captain of IACC charter boats since 2004.

Mark Niblack, M.D. Co-Owner

Dr. Niblack received his B.A. in Biology at UCLA and his M.D. from UCSD Medical School. After an Internship at Mercy Hospital in San Diego and an Anesthesia Residency at the University of Florida, he practiced as an anesthesiologist in San Diego for fourteen years before retiring. In August of 2006, he and co-owner Steve Pattison bought Dennis Conner’s 1992 America’s Cup yacht, Stars & Stripes, USA-11. Now, most of his free time is spent sailing or fixing things.