NW EXPLORATIONS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Marine Technician - Present
FUN FACT: Ben is currently a student at Western Washington University, earning a degree in Plastics and Composites Engineering. BIO: Ben grew up near Olympia, WA and later moved up to Bellingham to pursue higher education. Having been fortunate to live near the Puget Sound all of his life, he has undoubtedly found a love in boating. Up until recently Ben has only had experience with powerboats, however he hopes to soon expand that experience to include sailing.
Job Titles:
- Accounting Assistant - Present
Job Titles:
- Marine Technician - Present
Job Titles:
- Marine Technician - Present
Job Titles:
- Marine Technician 2023 - Present
FUN FACT: Ice hockey goalie for the last 15 years, now coaching U13/U18 hockey in Bellingham, WA. If I'm not at work, you'll find me at the rink. BIO: Originally from South Florida, near the Florida Keys, I embraced marine adventures from a young age, snorkeling and diving with my father, a diving instructor. After high school in Bellingham, WA, I briefly returned to Florida but missed the Pacific Northwest. When COVID-19 hit, I returned to Bellingham, eager to be back on the water. Despite colder temperatures, being back on the water brings me immense joy.
FUN FACT: In addition to being an ABYC Master Mechanic, Jen has a BA in Fine Arts from Seattle University.
BIO: Jen received her marine training from the Skagit Valley College Marine Maintenance Technology program and holds ABYC certifications in Marine Electrical, Corrosion, Gasoline, and Diesel Engines. She specializes in AC and DC electrical troubleshooting and has a passion for labeling.
BIO: Growing up around boats, Ken has cruised the Intracoastal Waterway, sailed the Bahamas and Virgin Islands and spent that last 20 years enjoying the amazing cruising grounds of the Salish Sea. He and his wife have raised three daughters on the two Grand Banks they have owned since arriving in the PNW and have their sights set on The Great Loop one of these days. Ken holds a Coast Guard OUPV license.
FUN FACT: If he could have any super power, Lee would want to speak every language known to man. Unsure as to why, but thinks it'd be fun.
BIO: Lee grew up on and around boats in Louisiana where his family owned a seafood business. After graduating high school, he spent the better part of his adult life working on various aircraft in the U.S. Air Force. After marrying a girl from Canada, and two college degrees later, he is now back working around boats once again, this time in colder and deeper waters, and with far less alligators.
Job Titles:
- Lead Technician 2013 - Present
BIO: At 9 weeks, Lucas started crawling around boats in Minnesota and things haven't changed much. He moved to Washington and became an ABYC Certified Master Marine Technician at the Skagit Valley College Marine Technology Center. When he's not working on customer's boats, he tries to be out on (or working on) his boat or enjoying the rest the PNW has to offer.
Job Titles:
- Marine Technician 2021 - Present
FUN FACT: I've worked as Global Outreach Coordinator managing volunteers around the world for a global marine conservation organization. I hold an MA in Leadership and Education, and I'm an award winning art director in animation.
BIO: Originally from Tennessee, I moved to the PNW in 1996 in search of cooler weather, mountains, and salt air. I love road trips into the mountains in search of rivers to swim in, hot springs to soak in, and to the coast for beaches to comb. I try to make it to Vancouver Island as often as I can for city trips into Victoria, and getaways to places like Tofino and Cortes Island (in search of wild wolves). I attended the Marine Maintenance program at Skagit Valley College and earned my certificate in Marine electrical as well as my NMEA and ABYC certifications.
Job Titles:
- Marine Technician 2023 - Present
FUN FACT: Nate is converting a fire rescue truck from 1987 into a 4wd camper to make exploring Washingtons forest roads and wilderness easier.
BIO: Nate grew up boating on lakes in New Hampshire where he fell in love with being on the water. After high school he went to Lakes Region Community College for Marine Technology and started his career as a Marine Technician. At 23, Nate moved across the country to Bellingham WA and has gained experience in the northwest marine trades since 2017. Outside of work he enjoys mountain biking, motorcycling, skiing, boating and many other activities that the PNW offers.
Job Titles:
- Detail Technician - Present
FUN FACT: Owen is an avid sailboat racer with two Newport to Cabo races (1st place), two crossings to Hawaii (2nd and 3rd places) and held a spot in the pro Farr40 fleet North American circuit.
BIO: Hailing from Nova Scotia, Owen moved to Bellingham in 2009. He lives aboard his 44' sailboat with his wife, daughter and dogs. With a passion for cruising. they moved to California for 2 years aboard their Catalina 36' and returned to Bellingham with their current boat, delivering it all the way from Mexico. Owen holds his USCG OUPV Captain's license and enjoys the surroundings of the San Juans.
BIO: Born in Boston, MA and raised in Houston, TX. Mix the Yankee with the South and add the PNW, you've now met Patti Brown. Her and her husband moved to Bellingham in 2009 and have never looked back. She, along with her husband and daughter, Parker, love to sail and love the local cruising grounds. Having a passion for food, she is also the owner of Galley Girls, a catering/provisioning company for pleasure vessels. She grew up with a life on the water from Nantucket to Lake Houston and now calls the Puget Sound her home. She's excited to be part of the NWE team!
FUN FACT: Randy was part of a team that delivered the first ever charter boats to the kingdom of Tonga. The trip from Tampa, FL to Tonga was over 8,000 miles.
BIO: BIO: Randy has worked as a delivery skipper, a sailing instructor and is one of our current Power Boat instructors. He has raced twice from Los Angeles to Hawaii as well as many races & deliveries up and down the Pacific coast from Mexico to BC. He has transited the Panama Canal, sailed the south Pacific and is currently a USCG licensed captain. He's a 40 year veteran of the boating industry and has spent equal time in both the power and sail industries.
BIO: I have always loved boats and people, I live in one of the most beautiful places in the world and on the door step to Desolation sound. Buying my first boat at 18 yrs old and always being on the water it was a very easy decision for me to come and work with NW explorations.
BIO: Scott has been with our company for 31 years, has been to the Grand Banks factory many times, has run boats and enjoyed our flotillas from San Diego to Prince William Sound and has helped hundreds of customers buy and sell Grand Banks and other cruising yachts. He has enjoyed cruising both his boats, RV's and motorcycles and has traveled the world a bit, with some fun warm water diving in some lovely spots...everyday is an adventure in life.
BIO: I was born and raised in China. I immigrated to Canada and have lived Victoria, BC for 4.5 years; I love living here by the ocean. I have a 10 year old boy who teaches me how to be a good Mom.
Job Titles:
- Marine Technician 2021 - Present
FUN FACT: I didn't get to see the ocean until I was 20 years old. When I finally made it to the coast I was mesmerized. I changed my entire life plan, packed up, sold my house, and never looked back.
BIO: I was born and raised in Colorado. I moved to the PNW to learn everything I could about boats and life on the water. I love my job and I feel so lucky to live in such a beautiful place!
FUN FACT: I make a mean paella, love border collies, have a background in the decorative arts, and am a U.S. transplant from the midwest currently living on Vancouver Island (one of the best sailing grounds in the world). BIO: I've been sailing recreationally since 2000 as a student and boat owner. In the course my sailing career, I have enjoyed the pleasures and pains of British Columbia's currents and tides, offshore deliveries, boat purchases and sails, and the preparation of hundreds of charter clients seeking to charter power and sail boats in the Pacific Northwest. I became an instructor to help new and experienced sailors and boaters build their skippering skills and confidence, pursue the dream of visiting distant shores, push their personal limits, and make their bluewater dreams come true.
Job Titles:
- Detail Specialist - Present
FUN FACT: I find it difficult to decide which is better: sailing or riding motorcycles. BIO: Fixing stuff and fabricating stuff makes me happy.
Job Titles:
- Marine Technician 2021 - Present