Joe was born in Astoria, NY. He started sailing at 13 years old. He grew up on the waters of Palma Sola Bay, fishing, skiing, sailing and chasing waves. While Joe was in the Marine Corps, he continued his passion for sailing at Camp Lejeune. He also started flying there and after returning home, earned his Instrument Instructor rating for single engine airplanes.

Following his marriage to Casey, his wife for 26 years, the McClash family grew up around sailing. Their first boat was a Tartan Ten. Then, Jeff King convinced him to buy his Hunter 33. After Joe's daughter graduated 8th grade, they went right from graduation to pick up Windcaller, a Catalina 42, their current boat. They sailed it from Ft. Lauderdale to BYC.  Joe kept the tradition and took his son to the Tortugas for a week after graduating 8th grade. Joe has sailed many races and served as crew on races to Mexico and Key West. When not sailing, Joe serves as our County Commissioner and makes his living from his real estate investments. Joe has served as Rear Commodore, a  Director and Fleet Captain of Sail for BYC in the past and is excited to serve as Commodore for BYC.