Captain Doug Springer/Wilmington Water Tours
Captain Doug Springer and his wife Diane Upton returned to Wilmington in 2004 to pursue their dream of life on the water. Doug graduated in Marine Technology from Cape Fear Technical Institute in the early 1970’s. After working in the Gulf of Mexico, and on the waterways of South Carolina for about six years he joined the U.S. Air Force as a computer specialist and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from the University of West Florida. After many years in the computer industry, and their children well on their own, Doug and Diane returned to their favorite city and back with their family of friends. They soon formed NE Cape Fear Charters and Exploration and put their beloved 36′ Wilard Vega Trawler to work. After three years of running a successful charter business, a large number of returning and enthusiastic customers provided the confidence in the belief that a water based tour company designed to serve the Cape Fear River basin at large was needed and thus “Wilmington Water Tours, Inc.” was born.
Doug is also deeply committed to Cape Fear River Watch a local grass roots organization with a mission to improve and protect the water quality of the Cape Fear River Basin. He served as the Executive Director for Cape Fear River Watch, Inc. from July of 2007 to January of 2010 while also doing duty as the Cape Fear RIVERKEEPER ®. The organization has grown to allow for a dedicated ED allowing Doug to focus on the duties of the RIVERKEEPER.
Alan Smith
Alan Smith volunteers for such organizations as: Residents of Old Wilmington, Cape Fear Sail and Power Squadron, Cape Fear River Watch, Historic Wilmington Foundation, Domestic Violence Shelter, Interfaith Hospitality Network, and Cape Fear Men’s Club.
Alan has been a Downtown Wilmington resident since 1998. He retired from Navy submarine service and the Central Intelligence Agency. Alan has children and grandchildren here and in Northern Virginia. He cherishes a sense of community within Wilmington and the personal connectedness that comes from involvement with diverse service and “quality of life” organizations. Alan enjoys being in a place where children and grandchildren love to visit and share experiences with boating, beaches and the good life in the historic district.
