Marco Island Yacht Club Commodore Ball

The Marco Island Yacht Club (MIYC) clubhouse may be closed for major renovations, but that didn’t hold back the gala celebration of its annual Commodore’s Ball. Last month at the Hideaway Beach Club, Paul Soden was sworn in as the 23rd MIYC Commodore, and the 2024 Officers of the Bridge were installed in the formal Change of Watch ceremony, followed by a gourmet dinner and dancing to the music of Kelly and Shelly. During the Change of Watch ceremony, Past Commodore Henry Stanley’s burgee flag was lowered and replaced with the new Commodore’s burgee.

Commodore Soden has been an active boater for 40 years. He is a Captain in the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, qualified as boat crew, air crew, vessel examiner and instructor. He is also the past Director of National Boating Safety Outreach for the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Splitting his time between Marco Island and New York, Soden is a corporate lawyer actively practicing as Senior Counsel with Thompson Hine in New York. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Law at Fordham Law School teaching Commercial Drafting and is the Chief of the Sheriff's Department in Westchester County, New York, with a force of 85 Deputies. 

In his new position as Marco Island Yacht Club Commodore, he’ll have overall responsibility for the cruising fleets, the Club's Youth Sailing program, boating events, and matters relating to the Florida Council of Yacht Clubs. Accepting his command, Commodore Soden swore to uphold the MIYC mission to “Provide an extraordinary Member Experience of boating, social events, and dining in a beautiful Club setting where fun and friendships thrive.” 

In appreciation for his service last year, Past Commodore Henry Stanley was presented with an engraved cedar box, a gift from his fellow Bridge officers. Mr. Stanley thanked everyone for their support over the past year of his command and wished Commodore Soden good luck in the year ahead.