Capt. Dave McCabe – CEO & Founder
As the Chief Executive Officer of the Sailing Angels Foundation, Dave is ultimately accountable for its scope of service, performance & financial health. He relies on the Board of Directors for their counsel and recommendations, and with the support of our team of volunteers, their enactment of our foundation’s goals & objectives.
Dave’s life journey includes many interesting and diverse experiences as a builder of rockets in his youth from childhood to now; a transatlantic sailor & more; a commercial diver, private pilot, and rocket scientist. He began teaching sailing 30 years ago and is the owner of the Blue Marlin Sailing School. Eighteen (18) years ago, he began his boating charity initiatives for special needs children.
Dave retired as an IBM Executive in 2006. Prior to that, with his strong mathematics & physics skills, he was extensively involved in the military & NASA aerospace business (5 different programs over almost 4 decades); among his most significant memories were his contributions to our First USA Lunar Landing (Apollo 11) and the rescue of the Apollo 13 mission.
From his birth throughout his teens, he was challenged with many significant health problems; additionally, he was exposed to many social concerns. Both of these factors made an indelible impact on his life. Dave’s unique life experiences help explain his intense focus on helping those in need, regardless of their health or social challenges. Hence, his formation of the Sailing Angels Foundation was a continuation of his life’s purpose!
These days, Dave’s focus is on his family, the Sailing Angels ever-expanding charitable initiatives, leisure sailing, genealogy research, and entrepreneurial pursuits. He and his wife Margie have been married for 61 years and have 3 children & 7 grandchildren.
Debbie Hughes – Chairman of the Board & Co-Founder
Debbie is the co-founder of the Sailing Angels Foundation, and has actively directed the charitable initiatives of the organization since its inception. As Chairman of the Board, Debbie is responsible for the Sailing Angels Foundation’s community outreach and overall service operations.
Professionally, Debbie has a background as a project manager with Shell Oil. She was also a professor at the University of Houston. Most recently Debbie worked in project management at AIG, where she received the Volunteer of the Year Award.
Debbie is a published author and has received numerous additional accolades for her community contributions, including being named Family Time’s Woman of Achievement and receiving the Volunteer Service Award from the U.S. President. As chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Board at AIG, she collaborated with her leadership team to forge alliances with the Houston disability community, and spearheaded initiatives to provide education and awareness related to accessibility and employment for those with disabilities.
Debbie has long been a dedicated advocate for diversity and inclusion, with a particular focus on individuals with disabilities. Thus her love of the Sailing Angels Foundation, which serves individuals with disabilities, and provides a safe and accepting environment for all.
Debbie has a passion for theater, traveling, and beach outings with her family. She enjoys spending time with her two daughters and son-in-law, all of whom have joined her in volunteering with Sailing Angels. Debbie is a recently widowed longtime Houston resident and advocate for individuals with disabilities.
Ken Gallia – Director
Ken serves as one of the board members of Sailing Angels Foundation. He is responsible for implementation of the foundation many goals and objectives including community outreach, fundraising, and event organizations. Ken has been a member of Sailing Angels Foundation for the past 12 years and enjoys Sailing and serving the community in his spare time.
Professionally, Ken has a deep background in the Oil & Gas industry. After graduating from college, he began his career with Graybar Electric Co. Ken retired after 32 years with Graybar as a National Account Manager. Hecontinued to work as a District Sales Engineer for the Bussmann Division of Eaton Corporation. Ken has been with Bussmann for 11 years and has more than 45 years’ experience in the electrical industry.
Ken enjoys spending time and traveling with his wife, Maureen. He has two daughters and 2 grandchildren that bring him a lot of joy.
Ken hobbies include landscaping, carpentry, antique car collecting, and sailing.
Barbara White – Director
Barbara’s diverse career began with a position in HR for Humble Oil & Refining Company. After twelve years, she took time off to have and care for her two children, John & Jodie. When she returned to the workforce it was in the ocean freight container industry beginning as a sales manager and working up to regional sales director. Then, as many mothers do, she took a job at Deer Park ISD, so she could be on the same schedule as her children.
Barbara worked 22 years for DPISD, first with the high school principal and then with six different Assistant Superintendents of School. Since her retirement, Barbara has increased her participation with Sailing Angels, serves at her church as a Sunday School teacher for adults with disabilities and recently joined The LaPorte Ladies Reading Association. These are worthwhile organizations, but what brings her the most joy is spending time with her family.