About Us
The Sequoia Presidential Yacht Group
The Sequoia may be both the most famous vessel
in America and the most important piece of Americana not owned by the
government. The yacht is owned by the Sequoia Presidential Yacht Group, LLC,
based in Washington, D.C. We are dedicated to preserving "America's most
famous boat".
The Sequoia is a finely-appointed, wooden, 1925 Trumpy-designed yacht with a
large collection of presidential photographs and original memorabilia. The
spacious top deck with its original teak deckchairs (used by Franklin Roosevelt
and Winston Churchill) provides a relaxed gathering place.
The Sequoia's officers and management staff
|
President: |
Gary Silversmith | (202) 333-0011 |
|
Captain: |
Harry "Chip" Lee | (202) 294-8000 |
|
Event Coordinator: |
Lynn Klein | (301) 237-4003 |
|
Administrator: |
Alberto Velandia | (202) 834-4188 |
|
Administrator: |
Tom Walsh | (202) 365-7150 |
|
Chief of Protocol: |
William Codus | (202) 483-9082 |
|
Yacht Foundation Liaison: |
Captain Giles Kelly | (202) 244-5633 |
|
Official Sequoia Artist |
Gregg Kurtz | (757) 768-2562 |
|
Executive Vice President: |
Colonel Timothy Besmer Sr. | (704) 996-7331 |
|
Scheduling Coordinator |
Wanda Reed | (202) 333-0011 |
|
Director |
Mallory Starr | (202) 337 6860 |
Since the Sequoia is "meticulously restored" (Robb Report), Architectural
Digest magazine featured her on the cover. Docked in Washington, D.C., the
Sequoia is available, on a limited basis, for private charters of up to 50
guests. Scheduling is coordinated with any use by the President or Vice
President.
Information on Main Salon
The
exquisite main salon with its rich mahogany walls offers a formal seated dining
space for 20 or a buffet for up to 50 guests. Ten presidents dined in the main
salon. The restored original furniture in the comfortable aft salon is used
today for entertaining. In the aft salon, John F. Kennedy opened his last
birthday gifts, and Roosevelt planned legislation to take the country out of the
Depression.
a's history, Cal Ripkin, Jr. signed a ball,
"To USS Sequoia, and I thought baseball had
a rich history, Cal Ripkin,
Jr." 
at RFK Stadium. Some of the participating players were Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, Johnny Bench, Steve Carlton, Roberto Clemente, Bob Gibson, Juan Marichal, Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Phil Niekro, Reggie Jackson, Frank Howard, Rod Carew, Mickey Lolich and Denny McLean. President Nixon took the players on a Sequoia cruise.
