Captain Ian Bystrom: A USCG licensed captain with extensive sailing experience from Maine to the Bahamas, Ian Bystrom is the leader of the team of explorers endeavoring to retrace John Smith’s 1608 voyage.   A graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in Geography, Ian has served previously as the chief mate aboard the schooner SULTANA.  His extensive knowledge of the Chesapeake and dedication to Sultana Projects’ educational mission make him uniquely qualified to lead this ambitious expedition. 

Andrew Bystrom: A graduate of Roanoke College with degrees in Biology and Spanish, Andrew Bystrom has a diverse background that includes teaching Science and English to elementary-aged children in Ecuador, working as a feature writer for The Harbor Sound News in Brunswick, Georgia, and most recently managing the Sea Island Sailing Center on Saint Simons Island, Georgia.

Leona Dalton: A graduate of Washington College, where she earned a B.A. in Anthropology and an M.A in History, Leona Dalton brings years of rowing experience to the Captain John Smith Four Hundred Project.  A four-year member of the varsity crew team at Washington College, and later Assistant Crew Coach for the team, Leona was named a Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association National Scholar Athlete in 2003 and 2004.  Leona recently completed a nine-week, 4,302 mile self supported bicycle journey across the United States. 

Donald Dover: Holding a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Appalachian State University and having worked as a forensic scientist with the NYPD collecting evidence from the World Trade Center site in New York City, Donald Dover has perhaps the most unique professional background of any crew member of the John Smith shallop.  Donald also has extensive rowing and kayaking experience, is a certified Emergency Medical Technician. and recently served as crew on the historic sloop CLEARWATER.

Austin Hall: A native of the western mountains of North Carolina, Austin Hall has professional experience as a whitewater rafting guide, a horse wrangler, and a back-country guide in the Gallatin National Forest.  Most recently Austin worked as a field organizer for Appalachian Voices, a non-profit environmental organization based in Boone, North Carolina. 

Ashley Maloney: A graduate of Stanford University with a B.S. and M.S. in Earth Systems, Ashley Maloney is the chief educational officer for the 2007 expedition.  Ashley has an extensive background in experiential and historic education, and served as education director on board the schooner SULTANA in 2006. While at Stanford, Ashley was a member of the Women’s Crew Team that took gold at the 2004 Henley Royal Regatta in England. 

John D. Mann: As a former Staff Naturalist at Echo Hill Outdoor School in Worton, Maryland, John Mann has worked with students on the issues and ecology of the Chesapeake Bay and its surrounding watershed.  John has professional experience leading canoeing and boating trips on the Chesapeake and in 2005, he successfully hiked the entire Appalachian Trail. 

Kelly Poole: A USCG licensed captain, Kelly Poole is a graduate of the Maine Maritime Academy where she concentrated in Small Vessel Operations, served as co-captain of the women’s sailing team, and was named the school’s top-ranked women’s skipper.  Kelly has served as crew on several historic sailing vessels and was most recently the second mate on the schooner PRIDE OF BALTIMORE, II.

Rebecca Pskowski: An Honors graduate in English Literature from the University of Chicago, Rebecca Pskowski comes to the Captain John Smith Four Hundred Project on the heels of working as a deckhand for the PRIDE OF BALTIMORE, II.  Rebecca previously worked as lead educator aboard the schooner LYNX and as a deckhand on the schooner SULTANA.

Forrest Richards: A native of Florida, Forrest Richards graduated from Florida State University in 2005 where his studies focused on Colonial and Twentieth Century American cultural history.  Forrest has served as a crew member and educator on a variety of historic sailing ships including the sloop CLEARWATER and the schooners LETTIE G. HOWARD, A.J. MEERWALD, and SULTANA. 

William Ryall: A graduate of the University of Manchester in England with a degree in Civil and Structural Engineering, William Ryall is an avid and experienced sailor having served as crew on a variety of historic sailing ships including the PRIDE OF BALTIMORE, II and the schooner VIRGINIA.

Elizabeth Schale: Liz Schale is a graduate of Appalachian State University with a degree in Geography.  She has worked as a sea-kayak guide, an educator aboard the schooner MYSTIC WHALER and as a marine biology instructor at the Catalina Island Marine Institute.  Liz is a certified wilderness EMT and has an Open Water diving certification from PADI.