The Officers of the Atlantic Watch

Jim Whyte, Pipe Major

Jim Whyte succeeded Ernie Lackey as Pipe Major in November 2008. He joined the Atlantic Watch in January 1996 at the suggestion of his wife, Patty, during the band’s performance at a First Night celebration in Red Bank. Jim rose slowly through the ranks, making Corporal in 2001, and Color Sergeant three years later. Although this is Jim’s first and only pipe band, he has been a student of music for nearly fifty years, and has played woodwinds with such diverse groups as the Fleet Sonar School Band, Key West, FL, the Bath Municipal Band, Bath, ME, the Navajo Nation Band, Window Rock, AZ, and the Ocean Grove Summer Band. He is a Navy veteran and currently works for the US Army as a Computer Engineer. He lives in Red Bank with his wife, Patty, a member of the Band’s Color Guard.

Ed Brett, Drum Major

Ed Brett joined the Atlantic Watch in 1995 as a snare drummer and advanced to lead snare (also called lead tip) and Color Sgt. 18 months later. He was promoted to Drum Major following the retirement of long-time Drum Major Bill Joseph 3 years ago and has been leading the band fearlessly since. Ed's main drive is to keep the band as traditional in dress, deportment, and music as can be expected, and his unending interest in military history and Scottish roots are invaluable to help this organization reach those goals. Ed's family is very active in the band as well, with his wife Mikki and daughters Jenny and Leslie part of the Atlantic Watch family.

Ginnie Morningstern, Band Secretary

Ginnie Morningstern is the Atlantic Watch's long serving Secretary. Ginnie has been playing the bagpipes since 1984. She joined the newly formed Atlantic Watch in May, 1993. As Secretary, Ginnie does more than take minutes at Officer's and General meetings. She is responsible for checking attendance at each band event and tracking each member status. She is also charged with broadcasting news and announcements to the membership. In addition to her duties as Secretary, Ginnie serves as a piping instructor and was a member of the Competition Band. As Sergeant Major, she leads the band in the absence of the Pipe Major. Ginnie has piped with the band in Scotland, Bermuda, New Orleans and Hawaii.

Al Baker, Band Agent

Al Baker was elected to the position of Band Agent in November 2007. Originally he joined the Pipes and Drums of the Atlantic Watch in October of 1999 to learn bagpiping with his son Jon, and has developed a keen interest in both the music and the instrument. Al earned the Most Improved Piper Award in 2005, was promoted to Corporal in 2006, and then to Sergeant in 2007. His most memorable experience as a member of the Atlantic Watch was marching in the Pipefest 2005 in Edinburgh, Scotland, where 10,000 pipers marched past Arthur’s Seat – a volcanic formation on the edge of the city – to the parade ground adjacent to the Queen’s Palace in Holyrood. Having completed the Atlantic Watch’s instructional program, he has been taking additional lessons from a private instructor, and has been competing in select Eastern United Stated Pipe Band Association competition events. When not piping, Al is a principle in an engineering consulting firm, DSC LLC., providing services in the field of communications systems.

Kevin Stone, Treasurer

Kevin Stone has been a member of the Atlantic Watch since 1998. He has served as the group's Treasurer since 2002. Having never played the pipes before joining the Atlantic Watch, Stone was enamored of the group when he saw the band performing for the traditional Red Bank Santa Claus train. At the invitation of the band members, he visited the group's next practice and was instantly impressed by the membership's diversity, energy and family-like dynamic. Soon after joining the band, Stone's son (then age 11) also joined so the two could learn to pipe together. Among Stone's favorite moments from the past decade with the band was marching in New Orleans during Mardi Gras to huge crowds unfamiliar with bagpipes. And he is still overwhelmed each time the band plays "Amazing Grace".

	Len Calabro, Band Quarter Master

Susan Walsh

Susan Walsh, Publicity Agent

A chance encounter with a piper practicing in a local park, spurred my involvement with the Atlantic Watch. The warm, friendly welcome, the family focus, the offers of free lessons and the opportunity to travel to interesting splces inspired me to join the band and learn the tenor drums. I have had the priviledge of participating with teh band at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, Ft. Ticonderoga, NY and numberous parades and shows. I eagerly look forward to the chance to play in Scotland with the Atlantic Watch. I hope to help "spread the good music" and encourage pipers and drummers of all skill levels to join the band and celebrate their Celtic roots.