Galen Bauer, A.L.M. (Harvard University), J.D. (Florida Coastal School of Law), B.S. (Indiana University), is a partner in the Spohrer & Dodd law firm in Jacksonville, Florida.  He was a high school teacher and coach in Indiana before attending law school.  Galen brings his experience serving non-profit organizations in the past as an officer, board member and, more importantly, a whatever-it-takes volunteer.  Galen has two daughters who row for FCRC.

Jim Haynes (BBA University of North Florida) is a Senior Vice President of Investments at Wells Fargo Advisors in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. Jim has two daughters who row for FCRC, the older since 2019 and the younger daughter since 2022. Both Jim and  his wife have been very active volunteers at the club since joining.

Richard Whitfield, is a recently retired Navy Captain, currently working as a Senior Systems Engineer with Lockheed Martin in Washington, D.C.  Richard graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1996 with a BS in Ocean Engineering and completed Naval flight training in 1998. Richard also earned an M.B.A. from Point Lima Nazarene University in San Diego, CA.  Richard has deployed / been stationed around the world, having commanded HSM-77 in Atsugi, Japan as well as HSM-40 in Jacksonville, FL.  Richard's major staff and shore tours included flight instructor, Pentagon operations analyst and US STRATEGIC COMMAND military cyberspace operations action officer. His oldest son rowed for FCRC from 2018-2022. 

Doug Benefield, C.P.A. (B.A.A in Accounting from the University of North Florida) is a Co-Founder of Elevated CPA.  A dedicated accountant, Doug is passionate about helping small business owners reach their full potential.  With careful planning, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of the ever-changing modern business landscape, Doug sets his clients up for long-term prosperity and shares this same knowledge and skill for the benefit of First Coast Rowing Club. Doug is also a town councilman for the Town of Orange Park. Doug rowed for his high school, St. Johns Country Day, and his sister rowed for Stanton Rowing Foundation (dba First Coast Rowing Club). Doug currently has no children rowing at FCRC.

Phillip Burt served in the Navy for 25 years as an Aviation Maintenance Officer and is currently working as an Operations Manager for Toyota Material Handling. He has served as the President of a local non-profit Team Red White and Blue from 2016-2019 and served on the Duval County Veterans board. He is currently a George W. Bush Leadership scholar working on bipartisan national veteran’s initiatives.  Phillip has a daughter who has been rowing for FCRC since 2019.

Chase Smith, J.D (University of Miami), B.A. and M.B.A. (University of North Florida) Chase is an attorney at Deutsche Bank overseeing Anti-Financial Crimes reporting for Private Wealth Management Clients. Previously, he was a Public Defender in Jacksonville and Nassau County, working in misdemeanor / felony litigation.  Chase was not a rower nor does he have any children in the program. 

Azi Yavari is a dentist in San Marco and parent of two rowers on the team.  She holds a B.S. in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from U.C.L.A. and a D.D.S. from the University of Michigan.  Azi started as a supportive parent when her son joined the club in 2019 but jumped in full force during the club's battle for a No Wake Zone at Cesery Bridge in which she was instrumental in our success in getting this legislation passed.  Azi simultaneously managed Service Hours and regatta tent support and has also been involved with fundraising. She now has taken over the role of treasurer. 

Dan Rooney holds a B.S. in Engineering from Rutgers Univ. and an M.B.A from Niagara Univ.. Dan began rowing in 1968 as a freshman in high school and continued in college and beyond. He has also rowed and/or coached for 5 rowing clubs prior to rowing as a Masters out of FCRC.. For two years Dan was a Board member of Greater Columbus Rowing Club as well as Board member of a publicly traded company for 17 years, 16 of which he was Chairman. In addition to the FCRC, Dan is currently on the Board of his HOA.