The Leonard Family: Scott, Mandi, Griffin (10), Jake (9) and Luke (4).
The Leonard Family
All five members of the family were born and raised in Southern California. The outdoors, specifically the ocean, has been a major part of all of their lives. Both Mandi and Scott swam competitively growing up. Scott had a long career playing water polo for UCLA, the USA National Team and even spent a year in Europe playing professionally. And now he coaches the boys’ water polo team. Mandi has spent numerous hours being towed behind a ski boat and has SCUBA dived all around the world.
The Mobile CEO at work
Scott A Leonard, CFP – The Mobile CEO
In addition to being The Mobile CEO, Scott is an avid waterman. Aside from the obvious love of sailing, Scott can be found 100 feet below the sea SCUBA diving or 9,000 feet above snow skiing – which he considers a water sport – and everything in-between that has to do with water. Scott is also an advocate for the health of our oceans; from water quality, to reef maintenance to sustainable fisheries.
Mandi at the helm
Mandi Leonard – Co-Captain
Sailing around the world for three years with her boys is as much of a dream and goal for Mandi as the trip is for Scott. She has been “on board” with this adventure from the very beginning, driving many of the decisions through the years to make this trip a reality.
Growing up in San Diego, Mandi has always been drawn to the ocean. As a certified SCUBA diver, Mandi is very passionate about our oceans, especially with the continued deterioration of our coral reefs. Mandi also enjoys surfing, stand up paddle boarding, kayaking and skiing.
Mandi graduated from UCLA with a degree in English, and uses the same skill set she implemented while managing a very successful career in the high tech field to run her ever adventurous family’s household. The ability to finesse and manage multi-million dollar software deals will serve her well when juggling the hats of teacher (Luke: K -2nd, Jake: 4th-6th, Griffin: 6th – 8th), cruise director, co-captain and provisioner. Certainly there would not be a Mobile CEO without the talented support of Mandi.
The Leonard Boys
The Three Little Birds
The final inspiration needed to turn this adventure from a dream into a reality are the three Leonard boys; Griffin, Jake and Luke. The boys are excited about the trip, yet apprehensive to leave their friends behind. On the entertainment front, it has been an eye-opening task to scale down their toys and projects to a few choice items for the journey. It has been a valuable lesson in prioritizing. In all, they are an adventurous three-some, who have a great ability to rise up to challenges with a positive outlook.
As part of the preparation for this trip, the three boys have always shared a bedroom. Although we are downsizing our family living space by seventy-five percent, the boys perceive the boat as bigger since they will each gain their own bedroom; but give up a dedicated “playroom,” family room, living room, separate dinning room and a yard with a tree fort. When asked what they are looking forward to most on this trip, they all reply; “having my own bedroom and bathroom”. Although, they are not looking forward to cleaning their own bathrooms which is a strictly enforced duty for the crew of The Three Little Birds.
Griffin Leonard
Griffin Leonard (5th Grade – 10 years old)
Griffin’s current sports passion is water polo. This past fall he was first team all tournament in his age group. His favorite subjects are math and science. He enjoys reading all kinds of fiction. Musically this year, Griffin has graduated from the ukulele to the electric guitar. He finds himself drawn to the great classic rock guitar riffs.
Aside from getting his own room on the boat, Griffin is happy about the promise of less homework. One of the advantages of homeschooling is the work is done while “schooling.” You work until you have completed the lessons for the day, then you are finished. For most middle school coursework, that will be 4 to 5 school days a week.
Griffin can’t wait to get his SCUBA certification. While cruising, Griffin wants to improve his surfing and water polo skills.
Jake Leonard
Jake Leonard (3rd Grade – 9 years old)
The picture says it all. Jake is our little actor, whether on stage or fooling around at home. He really enjoys performing in school plays and has been in some larger stage productions with a local family theater group.
Jake is an excellent student, and enjoys math and physical science. If there is anything that needs to be taken apart, Jake is your man. He doesn’t mind being lowered into the engine room to check the oil. He plays ukulele and is active with Scouts.
Jake also enjoys the ocean; snorkeling, surfing, stand up paddle boarding and hunting for fish. Jake is always ready to try any new adventure and will eat pretty much anything you put in front of him. He too is looking forward to becoming SCUBA certified and spearing his first fish with a Hawaiian sling.
Jake is an avid Lego builder, and feels he will miss all his Legos most when sailing on the trip.
Luke Leonard
Luke Leonard (Pre-Kindergarten – 4 years old)
Luke, “the baby,” completes the three little birds. Even though he is the youngest by quite a few years, he is not one to be overshadowed by his brothers.
At this stage, it is difficult to determine what his enjoyments and strengths will be. He spends much of his free time being dragged around to his bigger brothers’ activities.
For now, Luke just loves being a 4 year old, reading stories with anyone, building puzzles, drawing pictures and making up games with all of his dinosaurs. He is crazy about sea life and can spend hours floating on the water with his snorkel and mask. Luke already has an impressive start on a shell and sea glass collection. Combing the beach for new treasures is always exciting. We all love having him around. He adds such a fresh outlook to all of our endeavors. Let’s not make him grow up too fast.
