Interview with the GM at Suntex Properties: Tidewater Yacht Marina & Ocean Yacht Marina, Portsmouth VA

Do you own a boat? If yes, what kind? If no, what is your dream boat?

‍I have in the past. My passion is sailing and I would love to own a Farr 40 for fun, but we love the idea of living aboard and would choose a Fleming 65 or 78 (depending on how much my wife wants to polish and clean).

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‍Name one of the best qualities of your personality.

‍I am extremely outgoing. I have never met a stranger. I love to take people out on the water and show them a whole other world that they were never aware of.

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‍How did you get into the marina business?

‍I was a charter captain in the Caribbean based out of St. Thomas USVI, where I met my wife. She was managing a marina and I learned a lot about the business. When we moved back to the states I was offered a job with Suntex Marinas in Amelia Island, Fla.

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‍If you were not doing this, what job would best suit you?

‍Captain of a term charter yacht in the Caribbean.

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‍Name one reason that boaters are loyal to a marina.

‍That staff is what makes or breaks a marina. Location and amenities are a close second and third. When a boat and its crew come to a marina, how they are treated is what is going to keep them coming back again and again. From making their reservation, assistance while docking and checking in is all a very important part of the entire experience. You want your marina to be a destination, even if only for one night.

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‍What's your go-to cocktail?

‍Cruzan Rum and Coke.

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‍What is your go-to karaoke song?

‍You wouldn't catch me up on that stage singing a song maybe a Bob Marley song in the privacy of our home with an audience of only my wife.

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‍What is the hardest habit for a boater to break?

‍Rushing. When a captain is in a rush it almost always ends poorly. You should never approach anything faster than you want to hit it.

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‍Are you a salty or sweet snacker?

‍Salty. I love a good peanut especially in the South where they know how to make a good boiled peanut.

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‍How do you promote boating to friends thinking about a new boat?

‍Being out on the water is the most freeing experience they will ever have. Meeting new people in the boating community will open their eyes to a whole new world. Pick something to start out with that you are comfortable with. Learn to operate the boat and don't be afraid to ask for help.

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‍What is the title of the last movie you watched?

‍Jack Reacher: Never Go Back