Josh Anderson

Executive Director

“Wooden boats have a special way of connecting people. There is no greater feeling than a tiller in hand and wind in the sails, gliding through the water in a vessel you poured your heart into made of natural materials. CWB excels at harnessing this feeling to link countless individuals with their natural environment, internal determination, sense of history, and to one another. It is a true privilege to spend every day working among this amazing community.”

Josh Anderson gives a presentation to a large audience
Josh Anderson helps plank a wooden boat with two volunteers
Headshot of Josh Anderson

An east-coast native from Maine, Josh came to CWB in 2016 as the Boatwright, caring for CWB’s historic fleet. In the ensuing years he helped complete the Wagner Education Center, which included developing the Bill Garden Boatshop and started new woodworking programs. In 2020 he was selected as the next Executive Director. In addition to a masters degree in business, Josh’s background as a graduate of the Apprenticeshop boatbuilding program in Rockland, Maine and experience in boatbuilding and custom carpentry shops is what makes him a unique leader. His boatbuilding portfolio has focused mainly on small craft such as building a Herrehsoff Buzzards Bay 18 and Joel White 14’ Peapod. He spent many years cruising the Maine coast on his 24’ Friendship Sloop. Josh holds a Masters in Maritime Management from Maine Maritime Academy, a BSBA from Boston University, a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Washington, as well as a 25T USGC Captains License.  In his spare time Josh likes to work on his 32’ Alden Malabar Jr Poco Moto and cruise around PNW coast.

What is your favorite tool?


“My skewed low angle rabbeting block plane!”

Josh Anderson works on the transom of a wooden boat
Josh Anderson sits in a boat with a crab pot