Jan/Feb 2012 - Florida Yacht Brokers Association, Inc.

Florida Yacht
Brokers association
BOArD OF DIrECTOrS
PrESIDENT
Crom Littlejohn, Merle Wood & Associates
VICE PrESIDENT
Lon McCloskey, The Marine Group
TrEASUrEr
Bob Zarchen, Ardell Yacht & Ship Brokers
SECrETArY
Gary Smith, Sarasota Yacht & Ship
(New Officers TBA)
DIrECTOrS
Jonathan Burkard, Allied Marine
Bob Denison, Denison Yacht Sales
Jeff Erdmann, Bollman Yachts
Paul Flannery, HMY Yacht Sales
Whit Kirkland, Bradford Marine Yacht Sales
Bob Saxon, International Yacht Collection
Bruce Schattenburg, Y.CO
COMMITTEE CHAIrMAN
Advertising/Publicity:
Arbitration Ethics:
Gary Smith, Paul Flannery & Jonathan Burkard
Brokerage Yacht Show:
Crom Littlejohn, Bob Saxon & Lon McCloskey
Charter Broker Liaison:
Crom Littlejohn & Bruce Schattenburg
Brokerage Forms:
Paul Flannery & Jonathan Burkard
Charter Forms:
Crom Littlejohn & Bruce Schattenburg
Membership:
Bob Saxon, Paul Flannery & Brooke Fowler
Social/Member Services:
Lon McCloskey, Paul Flannery & Yolanda Phinney
MIASF & Legislation:
Jeff Erdmann, Bruce Schattenburg & Gary Smith
Seminars/Sponsorship:
Gary Smith, Lon McCloskey,
Bob Zarchen & Bob Denison
CYBA, MYBA, YBAA,
IYC & AYCA Liaisons:
Crom Littlejohn, Bob Saxon & Gary Smith
4
Certified Professional Yacht
Brokers Liaison:
Jonathan Burkard & Staley Weidman
MLS:
Lon McCloskey & Gary Smith
ExECUTIVE DIrECTOr
Ann Vernon
DIrECTOr OF OPErATIONS
Randi Myers
DIrECTOr OF MEMBEr SErVICES
Shay Fortman
january/february 2012 | florida yacht brokers association | www.fyba.org
2011 Brokers
of the year
2011 Broker of the Year: Bob Zarchen
After 19 years of membership in FYBA, our Broker of the Year truly needs no
introduction. Bob was president and CEO of an engine service company in
New England prior to moving to Florida in 1984. Once here, he worked as
a professional Captain, earning his 500 GT Master Oceans License. Bob joined
Merrill-Stevens in 1987 and remained there for 22 years, serving as a Broker and
later as Managing Broker. He recently joined Ardell Yacht & Ship Brokers.
A graduate of Yale University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Bob was
one of the first Brokers in the nation to achieve Certified Professional Yacht Broker
status in 2002. A Director of FYBA since 1993, he also has served as a past
President and Secretary of the organization. He has been FYBA Treasurer since
2006 and is the founder of the FYBA Seminar Programs.
Bob richly deserves the honor of being named FYBA Broker of the Year both
for his professionalism and for his tireless service to this organization and the
yachting industry as a whole.
2011 Charter Broker of
the Year: Robin O’Brien
One of the yachting industry’s very first female
First Officers, Robin O’Brien served aboard large
charter yachts in the Med and the Caribbean
from 1991 to 1994. This experience provided her with
an intimate knowledge of both the usual and the unusual
charter destinations in the world.
After graduating from Temple University in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, Robin headed south to Fort Lauderdale to embark on what was
supposed to be one year of working onboard yachts. Many years and thousands
of sea miles later, she now calls Fort Lauderdale home.
Robin became a charter broker in 1997. In 2001, she joined Fraser Yachts, where
she still works today. When not booking charters, you may find her at the dog
park with her faithful boxer, Tallulah, or volunteering for a local animal rescue
program. She and her husband also like to spend time exploring the mountains
on their motorcycles.
“I am always in search of the next great spot to visit, either by sea or land,” she said.