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Friends of UCI Rowing includes sub-committees dedicated to special tasks and initiatives to advance our mission.

Scroll below for the committee list and members. You can connect with us directly below, or use our more general Contact form with this button.
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Operating Endowments

Friends of UCI Rowing is working behind the scenes with various interest groups to secure funding for a lasting operating endowment to keep the program running smoothly day to day. If this mission is successful, the Friends organization will manage the endowment’s contributions and expenditures (like coaching salaries) separately from specific fundraising challenges (like new boats or team travel expenses).

Vincent Mestre
Vincent MestreDirector at Large
Vince rowed for 2 years at UCI from 1969 through the season of 1971. He is a licensed Mechanical Engineer and holds an emeritus vice president position at Landrum & Brown and does research in human response to aviation noise.
George Basile
George BasileDirector at Large
George rowed on the UCI crew from 1979 to 1983. He is currently a Professor and Senior Sustainability Scientist at the School of Sustainability at Arizona State University.

Alumni Database

The rowing program at UCI has over 50 years of history… we are currently tackling the complex task of reorganizing all of our piecemeal alumni and donor lists into a single CRM database. This will enhance our ability to fundraise more efficiently and our goal to connect current student-athletes to alumni mentors working in industries they aspire to.

Brian Frank
Brian FrankSecretary
Brian rowed for UCI from 1996 to 2000. He is a digital news producer for KPCC, the Los Angeles NPR affiliate.
David Heimerl
David HeimerlTreasurer, Web Administrator
David rowed for UCI from 1998-2001 and is Director of Global Creative Services at Universal Pictures Home Entertainment in Hollywood, CA.

Board Nominating Committee

Per Friends of UCI Rowing bylaws, the Board of Directors is tasked with maintaining a healthy and engaged board. We periodically change duties, add members, and sometimes our all-volunteer team wear out and need to take a break. It is also important that we ensure alumni involvement in the program across eras from our 50-year history. If you are interested in joining the Board of Directors, please reach out!

Mike Del Castillo
Mike Del CastilloDirector at Large
Mike was a four-year oarsman at UCI and currently lives in San Pedro, CA working at the Allstate Insurance Company.
George Basile
George BasileDirector at Large
George rowed on the UCI crew from 1979 to 1983. He is currently a Professor and Senior Sustainability Scientist at the School of Sustainability at Arizona State University.