Quantum Sails Annapolis

Scott Nixon has been involved with racing his whole life. Scott grew up sailing on the Southern Chesapeake Bay in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia.

An All-American sailor at St. Mary's College of Maryland, Scott later coached many students to the All-American ranks at the College of Charleston in South Carolina. With decades of competitive racing, he has a wide range of racing experiences, including dinghies, one-design keelboats, inshore big boats, and offshore distance racing.

Scott joined Quantum Sails in 2000, and his experiences bring a unique skill set to Quantum's programs. Focusing primarily on one design classes, he is directly involved in testing, design, and development of Quantum’s One Design sail programs. He working directly with the design team and worldwide sales team to make sure Quantum sails are at the front of the fleet.

Scott has sailed with Quantum customers to win championships at the World, Gold Cup, European, North American, and National levels.

His hands-on approach includes active campaigns and racing in the following classes for Quantum: J/22, J/24, J/70, J/80, J/88, J/109, J/111, C&C 30, Farr 30, Farr 40, Swan 42, Swan 45, Melges 20, Melges 24, Melges 32, Melges 40, TP52, ORC, and GL52 classes. He is a three-time World Champion in the J/111, Melges 32, and ORC 52 classes.

Growing up in the British Virgin Islands, Doug Stewart started sailing when he was four years old. He and his friends started on Sunfish, graduating to Lasers and Squibs as they grew up. Through the years, he went on to win every major regatta in the Caribbean, including the BVI Spring Regatta, the Rolex Caribbean Regatta and Antigua Race Week. After graduating from high school in 1981, Doug went to work with sailmaker Ted Hood. It didn’t take long for him to discover that sailmaking was something was something he wanted to do for a living. “Making something from a roll of fabric and a pair of scissors is pretty cool,” said Doug. “I found it easy to understand, and easy to teach others.” Doug was part of the team that started Quantum Sails, and has been with them ever since. His design experience includes Melges 20, Melges 24, Megles 32, Lightning, Escows, Interlakes, cruising boats, mega yachts, and catamarans. The passion of the Quantum team continues to invigorate Doug, and he enjoys interacting with customers on a daily basis. Having started as a sailmaker before computers and cutting machines, Doug said his unique understanding and experience helps him provide the best service to his customers. “They can expect me to listen first then advise them,” said Doug. “I understand all aspects of sailing, sailmaking, and sailing systems, so I usually have a solution if my customers have problems.”

Born in the North East of England, Andrew Waters started sailing when he was seven years old and began racing when he was nine. During college he worked at a local sailing school, and it wasn't long before he left college to devote himself to sailing. By the time his peers were graduating from college, he’d logged more than 100,000 offshore miles doing deliveries, racing, and training.

His professional career started in South Africa before he sailed to the Caribbean in 1996 on one of the first Catamarans to be chartered. When he wasn't working as a sail instructor, operations manager, or marine surveyor, Waters competed in various regattas throughout the Caribbean and US regions. His recent wins include the 2010 St. Martin Heineken Regatta, the 2011 and 2013 IC-24 Quantum International Championship, St Thomas International Rolex regatta, match racing, and the 2014 Gordon's Bay Yacht Club Lipton Cup Challenge.

In 2016, Waters joined the Quantum Sails team as a Sail and Service Consultant in Annapolis, Maryland. "I had been a customer of Quantum for many years, and I've always liked the vibe from the people associated with the group," said Waters. "My customers can expect honest dedication in helping them find the best Quantum product for their needs, as well as the service they deserve as they navigate their own sailing adventure, whether that's fulfilling a lifelong dream of cruising the Caribbean or reaching the podium of that one regatta they’ve been chasing down."

Andrew LeDuc grew up sailing at the Severn Sailing Association in Annapolis, Maryland, and competed in 420s on his high school team. Andrew went to Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, where he received a bachelor's degree in industrial design. After graduating, Andrew spent a few years in the yachting industry working as a deckhand on private yachts before being introduced to sailmaking at Doyle Sails in Salem, Massachusetts. When the Salem venue closed due to the pandemic, Andrew moved to the Doyle Sails location in Newport, Rhode Island. During the summer of 2022, Andrew joined the Quantum team in Annapolis. "Sewing is probably my favorite part about sailmaking," said Andrew. "We have such a great team in Annapolis, and I enjoy working with this group and our local customers to keep everybody happy on the water".

John Kish was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. Growing up, John and his family often went to Lake Erie where they kept a Laser, and that was where John fell in love with sailing. Today, he still enjoys anything having to do with the water, and sailing has always been his escape. He likes the presence it requires and the feeling of being in tune with nature.

John attended the University of Oregon and graduated with a degree in product design. While at school, John had an internship with North Sails, and his sailmaking journey started. During his internship, John began sailing competitively as a member of his university's sailing team. It was a turning point in his career.

John is now racing ICLAs at his local yacht club, but he still enjoys sailing 420s and FJs. In the summer of 2023, he sailed Lido 14s for Nationals in Eugene, Oregon as well as Mercury 18s and Thistles as often as he could.

John was introduced to Quantum Sails through a family friend and former US Naval Academy sailing coach. "I'm looking forward to working with my hands and with others to help improve people's lives," says John. "I enjoy using my knowledge and skills to help others in whatever way I can. More importantly, I consider the water my happy place, so anytime I can help others enjoy their own time there, it puts a smile on my face."

John Rampe grew up on Lake Erie in Mentor, Ohio, where he developed his passion for sailing. He began sailing at a very young age, initially aboard his family's Tartan 10. John honed his sailing skills over eight years at a junior sailing camp, focusing on competitive racing in boats like Optis, Lasers, and 420s. Around five years ago, John began racing J/111s and has been dedicated to it ever since.

His interest in sailmaking began during high school, where he started working at Doyle Sails, eventually moving to Ullman Sails. Following his high school graduation, John played a year of Junior A hockey. Now, as the newest addition to the Quantum Sails Annapolis team, John is enthusiastic about his future with Quantum.

Madison Trotman grew up in Florence, AL, and Hendersonville, TN, before moving to Baltimore for college. She has been in Maryland ever since. She's settled in Annapolis, and after a lifetime of living close to bodies of water, the Chesapeake Bay is the perfect fit for her.

Madison embarked on her marine canvas journey four years ago, diving headfirst into a steep learning curve. It was a challenge she wouldn't trade. With excellent mentorship and ample opportunities to experiment, she has refined her skills and design aesthetic. While her foundation is in powerboat refits, specializing in enclosures and cushions, she finds particular satisfaction in crafting full interior sailboat cushions and dodgers.

As the Canvas Division Manager of the Annapolis loft, Madison manages and grows the local canvas business and oversees production, quality control, customer relations, and team development. She couldn't be happier to work with the Annapolis team and Quantum clients to build something great!

Isabel Gallus grew up in Washington, D.C., with family connections in Baltimore and Annapolis, Maryland. Her sailing background started with her collegiate sailing club in Sarasota, Florida, where they sailed dinghies and small boats in the Gulf.

Gallus's connections to Maryland and her family's history in the United States Navy fostered her interest in maritime sports and culture. She lived in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and once worked as a tour guide showing visitors the historic Port of Baltimore, the retired warships, container ships, and hospital navy ships docked in the wharf.

Gallus is furthering her sailing experience at the Annapolis Sailing School and hopes to learn more about sailmaking while working at Quantum's Annapolis Loft.

In his role as Chief Commercial Officer, Dave Gendell brings a unique combination of sailing, corporate leadership, and marine industry experience to Quantum’s leadership team.

Dave grew up in Annapolis and has extensive racing, cruising, and passagemaking experience. He earned his U.S. Coast Guard Captain's License at age 19 and first raced from Newport to Bermuda one week after graduating from college

Dave spent many years active on the racing scene including round-the-buoys campaigns in the Swan, Farr 40, J/35, and Laser classes. His offshore sailing experience includes races and passages aboard a Santa Cruz 70, Swan 70, Swan 68, J/145, J/44, Beneteau 40.7, and a Cambria 40.

Dave is the co-founder of SpinSheet, the Chesapeake Bay sailing magazine. He served as the magazine’s editor for 12 years. After SpinSheet, Dave embarked on a 17-year corporate career that included leadership positions at PayPal and Visa where he led business development and marketing teams and initiatives. In his most recent position at PayPal he led a 55-person advertising and marketing partnerships team with a global remit.

Dave holds an active U.S. Coast Guard Captain's License (50-ton, Near Coastal with sail endorsement). He is the author of three non-fiction books including "The Last Days of the Schooner America."

Dave is the co-owner of an Alerion 28 and has a soft spot for rescuing, restoring, and sailing old boats. The most recent rescue projects include a 1978 Laser and a Sunfish of questionable pedigree, both of which are patched up, buffed up, and sailed off the beach at Annapolis.