I grew up on the coast of California, mostly in the Los Angeles area. My family did not have a boat during the prime of my childhood; however, they loved the water and had friends with boats sparking my passion early on from local and Mexican voyaging. In college, I ran a summer sailing program whereby four Westside day camps funneled hundreds of kids all summer long for one-hour sails out of Marina Del Rey.
My marine background includes Captain for Hornblower Cruises and Events (15 years) and currently teaching nautical science for USC’s Traditions of the Sea program. I hold a 100-ton, 200-mile offshore, sail and assistance towing Masters License. The other title I hold is that of Real Estate Consultant for Pepperdine University, predominately focusing on the University’s off campus acquisitions and dispositions specializing on Charitable Remainder Trusts and Gift Annuity programs. I also handle vessel donations involving value assessment, yacht logistics, management, and disposition.
Somehow I managed to squeeze in two degrees: Business Administration (BSBA) and Education (MAE)
I served as First Officer briefly under Paul Watson of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society which is how I met Kurt and worked on two Sea Shepherd missions in the Gulf for the BP disaster (don’t believe the gist of their commercials that all is well in the Gulf!). My passion is to use my boating skills to do further marine environmental volunteer work. Probably no surprise to those reading this, I am saddened by the demise of marine life I have witnessed just in my short marine career…
I enjoy putting together one- to two-week exotic sailing trips around the world--the more tropical, the better! Other interests include key note speaking on marine ecology topics, former parenting class teacher for Interface Children Family Services and Past President of the Rotary Club of Malibu, and Rotary International GSE Ambassador to Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei. I swim, trail run, and love horses.
Thank you to Kurt Lieber for dedicating your life to making a difference to marine ecology health and I look forward to contributing my skills to Ocean Defenders Alliance anywhere I can assist.
Captain Rex Levi