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Alexandria, VA (January 19, 2008) One of Alexandria’s historic institutions celebrated it’s annual change of Command of it’s officers and governors during a gala event Saturday night. It is a formal event and the attendees were dressed in tuxedos and gowns as has been the long standing tradition. A ceremony thanked outgoing officers and governors for their hard work and dedication; the new officers and board were introduced to the applause of their fellow members. But the 128^th elections, held on December 3, 2007, had brought something new to the Old Dominion Boat Club (ODBC). It’s first woman president. The 2007 president, Eric Desoto, received unanimous applause with his introduction “It is my honor to introduce to you our new President for 2008 and it is my distinct pleasure to say welcome Madame President Carolyn Dabney Bell”.

Carolyn has volunteered at ODBC for the last eight years serving on numerous committees and has been the Vice President for the past two years. She was an Executive with US Airways for over 25 years, has a BA in Business from Robert Morris University and a MBA from Wheeling Jesuit University.

Carolyn’s closing remarks to the attendees, after the introducing the remaining 2008 officers and governors, was “I am very excited to be your new President and look forward to working with all of our other volunteers because together we can continue to keep the Old Dominion Boat Club a great institution at the foot of King Street and maintain our place in Alexandria’s history.”

Also elected for 2008 were Terry Anderson as Vice President, James Lavery as Treasurer, Dee Philips as Secretary and Tom Whalen as Commodore. The Governors on the Board will be for former ODBC President Eric DeSoto, Dee Beresford, Chuck Bryant, Marianne Caulfield, Doug Phillips, Larry Landgraff and Chairman Jim Dooley. Out going from the 2007 leadership was Jim Burrows as treasurer and Greg McDermott from the Board of Governors.

Old Dominion Boat Club

The Old Dominion Boat Club, the oldest rowing boat club in the

United States

, has been located at the foot of King Street in the Alexandria since its first meeting in September of 1880. Over the course of history, the Boat Club has consistently had a record of service to the community by its continuous support to the social, recreational, civic, and material progress of Alexandria.

The Club’s community support includes its sponsorship of Rowing by the funding of high school rowing scholarships, and a 40-year-long sponsorship of the Salvation Army Christmas Bell Ringing. Sponsorships also include fundraisers for the Alexandria Seaport Foundation, Alexandria Chapter of the American Liver Foundation, the Lombardi Cancer Center, the March of Dimes and making charitable donations to the Make a Wish Foundation and the Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.