Immediately, Kathy became involved in the business and was instrumental in its success of becoming the largest commercial sailing school in the United States.

In 1970, the Woods established the first in-water, all sailboat show in the Annapolis Harbor. The show was an instant success and revolutionized the boat show industry. Just two short years later, the United States Powerboat Show was born. Both shows quickly became the largest of their type in the world. Kathy & Jerry were credited with helping establish and shape the modern recreational boating industry and were deemed major contributors to the growth of Annapolis as the “Sailing Capital of America”.

With no kids of their own, they took to the over 3,000 young individuals they employed through the years. Acting beyond the basic day to day tasks of their employees, Kathy & Jerry Wood provided these young men and women with a framework to grow both mentally and physically in their every changing industry, affording these young workers a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility to move them up and out in the world.

Jerry passed on February 19, 2003 and Kathy passed on June 19, 2005.