RAIDER
SAILING FOUNDATION
The Team
Erik Thorleifson
Founder & Executive Director
Erik served in the Marines, with two combat tours in Iraq (initial invasion in 2003 and Fallujah in 2004). Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Erik gravitated toward boating and sailing. His passion for sailing began after leaving active duty and he has sailed thousands of miles solo, double-handed, and crewed, including several blue water crossings.
While sailing with fellow veterans, including every one of Raider Sailing's captains, Erik realized the benefit sailing has for combat veterans, and vice-versa. He founded Raider Sailing to help other combat veterans experience the same benefits he and the other members of Raider Sailing have seen.
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Erik earned his law degree from Gonzaga University and has a consulting business for select clients. He lives in Spokane, WA with three teenaged children.
Michael Tobey
Director, Captain, Purple Heart recipient
Mike Tobey enlisted in the Marine Corps out of high school and served as an infantryman with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment during the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Mike discovered sailing while on a BVI charter in 2010 and was immediately hooked on the sport, subsequently earning US Sailing Basic Keelboat and the Yachtmaster Coastal Skipper certificates and is currently pursuing the USCG 100 Ton license. Mike has captained over a dozen charter trips in the British Virgin Islands, Croatia, Greece, St. Martin, US Virgin Islands, and Israel. Mike owns and races an Express 34 on Lake Michigan and has completed numerous Chicago to Mackinac races, both crewed and single-handed, among many other offshore, near shore, and buoy races in the Chicago area. Mike is the CEO of the Hose Monster Company, a member of Columbia Yacht Club, and holds a B.S. in Finance from Arizona State University and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Paul Ballenger
Director of Public Relations
Paul started his military career in the Marines, with two deployments including the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Upon completion of his bachelor's degree Paul was commissioned as an armor officer in the Army reserve where he still serves as a civil affairs officer. Paul currently works as a consultant and executive in the security industry providing best in class services nationally.
In addition to Paul's business and military careers, Paul is active in his community in Denver, CO. Paul serves as a volunteer at his church, is a devoted member of several education and safety focused non-profits, and sits on several boards.
Paul resides in Denver, CO has a fifteen year old daughter and is engaged to marry his fiancee Kristin who has two sons. Paul grew up sailing in England and South Carolina and the sailing community has always been a strong part of Paul's life. When he isn't working or involved in various community or non-profit activities, he enjoys time with his family whether it be outdoor activities, travelling or attending sporting events.
Joe Bassani
Captain, ASA Sailing Instructor
Captain Joe grew up in New England where he spent his summers boating on the Long Island Sound with his dad. After retiring from a 28-year career in the Army, Joe gave up his respectable life and returned to the sea, becoming a sailing instructor, teaching basic sailing, coastal cruising and blue-water crossing on the east and west coasts of the US and the Caribbean.
He is an American Sailing Association certified instructor and a US Coast Guard licensed Master. A Master Army Aviator with combat tours in Central America and the Middle East, Joe settled on the Central Coast of California with his beautiful and talented wife and their spoiled dog.
Li Sung
Captain, USNA Offshore Racing Team
Dr. Li Sung is a former SeaBee who served with Combined Joint Task Force-7 in Iraq from 2003-2004. After numerous deployments, Li returned stateside, became a professional engineer (PE) and earned his PhD in mechanical engineering from the University of Washington and went on to become an instructor at the US Naval Academy.
Li is an expert sailor and diver, and has extensive racing experience, including multiple Races to Alaska and Bermuda, and currently serves on the USNA offshore racing team. Li and his wife, Ione, reside in Annapolis, MD with four kids and a dog.