Jonathan Q Barnett, Jonathan Quinn Barnett Ltd
Jonathan Quinn Barnett’s design career began in 1987 working with the famously talented Jon Bannenberg in London. After nearly seven years of experience with this world-class studio, Jonathan returned to the U.S. to launch his own design company in the Pacific Northwest. To date, his award-winning design studio has provided exterior and interior design services for challenging yacht projects ranging in size from 50 feet to well over 400 feet in length. Design services include: exterior design, interior design, refits and restorations, mast and hull modifications, CAD design, 3D modeling and visualization, design project management and consultation.
Scott Bengtson, Cessna Aircraft Company
Scott Bengtson entered aviation in 1977 with Cessna Aircraft and through the years has been involved with customer support for various models of Cessna Aircraft. In addition he was the Director of Maintenance for a large Cessna-affiliated FBO, overseeing maintenance, avionics and a paint shop. Currently, he is the Product Manager for both the Caravan turboprop and the Mustang, Cessna’s entry-level jet. He is also involved in the development of two new aircraft that have yet to be made public. Scott is also a pilot with multi-engine and commercial ratings, having flown all of Cessna’s propeller aircraft.
Donald Blount, Donald L. Blount & Associates
Engineer Donald L. Blount founded the naval architecture and marine engineering design office that bares his name in 1988. The company provides marine design, engineering, and consulting services for high-speed, special-purpose commercial, military, and recreational craft for an international clientele.
Noteworthy vessels include the 223-foot Destriero, which holds the non-refueled Atlantic crossing record with an average speed of 53.1 knots and the 135-foot Fortuna, the Royal Yacht of Spain, having a top speed of 68+ knots. Donald previously served as Head of the Department of the Navy’s Combatant Craft Engineering Department (CCED) and had worked at the David Taylor Model Basin prior coming to CCED.
During his 15 years at David Taylor, he conducted individual research and directed engineering programs relating to emerging technology in the field of hydrodynamics. He has co-authored more than 50 papers and articles for technical societies in various countries. He is a registered professional engineer in Virginia and North Carolina and is a Fellow of both SNAME and RINA.
Nicola Camuffo, Fincantieri
Nicola Camuffo joined Fincantieri Yachts of Muggiano, Italy, in July 2007 as project leader in the basic design and cost estimation department. He is involved with yacht projects from 260 feet to more than 490 feet.
Before joining Fincantieri Yachts, Nicola was at Azimut-Benetti in Viareggio as the technical coordinator of the 45 meter semi-custom line, and then moved to Livorno as head of the design department of the steel yachts unit, working on yachts to 213 feet. From 2001 to 2002, Nicola was in the Fincantieri Cruise Ships design department in Trieste, Italy. Nicola has a degree in naval architecture and marine engineering from Trieste and he has been involved with the technical departments of small shipyards, designing small GRP powerboats.
Alan Dabbiere, former Owner of M/Y Constance
Alan Dabbiere is the chairman of AirWatch, a leader in enterprise-wide mobile device and WLAN management solutions.
In 1990, Alan founded Manhattan Associates, the world’s leading supply-chain execution software company, and he served as president and CEO until 1999. Following the company’s successful initial public offering in 1998, Alan served as Manhattan Associates’ chairman until 2003. Today, Manhattan Associates is a global company with more than 1,200 customers, 2,000 employees and more than $337 million in revenue. In 2005, Cape Horn Strategies honored Manhattan Associates as one of only three public software companies—Microsoft and Kronos being the other two—with 15 years consecutive profitability and growth. He currently serves on the executive leadership committee for the Washington, D.C., chapter of Young Presidents’ Organization, on the Foundation Board for Inova Health Systems, and on the Advisory Board of Georgia Tech’s College of Computing.
Chris Dlugokecki, Lloyd’s Register North America
Chris Dlugokecki has been active in the marine industry for over 18 years, graduating from Webb Institute of Naval Architecture in 1992. Throughout his career, Chris has worked in positions that exposed him to many of the various aspects that make-up the large yacht industry, including engineering and design positions with Gibbs & Cox in New York and shipyard representation for Astilleros Espanoles in the U.S. He held technical and commercial operations positions with the V Ships Group, including marine superintendent and business development manager for North America from 1997 to 2002. He was supervisor of initial design and naval architecture with General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego from 2002 to 2006.
Chris joined Lloyd’s Register North America in 2006, and is currently based in the Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Passenger Ship Support Center. He is responsible for working with clients in the passenger ship segment of the industry at a strategic level to understand their needs and develop solutions.
Adam Domino, Daedalus Aviation
Following graduation from the Aeronautical Science program in 1991 from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona, Adam Domino joined the crew of a converted crab ship long-lining for cod in the Bearing Sea. Opting for the warmer climate of Seattle, he worked as a flight instructor and pilot for parachutists and aerial photographers for the next few years. As an air-taxi pilot, cargo and passenger pilot and as a delivery captain he has flown all over the globe. In July 2003, Adam accepted a position with Golden Eye Aviation where he performs the duties of chief pilot and aircraft manager. The company operates a Cessna Amphib Caravan that is recovered by elevator onto the aft deck of M/Y Golden Shadow in logistical support for the Golden Fleet.
Conrado Dornier, Dornier Seawings & Owner of S/Y Tiziana
Born in Madrid in 1953, Conrado Dornier started his career as director of finance in the design office of his father, Professor Claudius Dornier, developer of the all composite amphibious flying boat, Seastar. In 1986 Conrado took over management of the Seastar program. The early 1990s brought recognition with type certificates issued for Seastar aircraft in Germany and the U.S. In 2010 Conrado established Dornier Seaplane Company in St. Jean-sur-Richelieu near Montreal, Canada, carrying on the 100-year Dornier family tradition in the design and manufacture of flying boats.
Besides leading the Seastar program, Conrado is actively involved in businesses in the fields of aviation, yachting and railroad transportation systems. He is Managing Director of Dornier Seawings AG, Chairman of Dornier Seaplane Company Inc, Member of the Board of Cargobeamer AG and a Director of the Board of the Atlantic Council of the USA.
Alex Dreyfoos, Owner of M/Y Silver Cloud
Alex Dreyfoos is chairman and owner of The Dreyfoos Group, a private capital management firm evolved from the success of Photo Electronics Corporation and the sale of Alex’s controlling interest in the West Palm Beach, Florida, CBS-TV affiliate and Sailfish Marina. Alex, a passionate philanthropist, is a lifetime trustee of MIT and The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. He is a member of the Board of The Scripps Research Institute. Alex’s interests include yachting, flying, photography, and scuba diving. His wife, Renate, a retired VP of human resources in the banking sector, is an avid reader and shares his love of photography. In May 2010 they completed a 19-month, 4,000 nautical mile odyssey on their SWATH yacht Silver Cloud. Both enjoy their Adirondack summer home.
Rocco Finocchiaro, Amico & Co
Born in Messina, Italy, in 1973, Rocco Finocchiaro graduated with a degree in nautical law from the State University of Messina. He began his career with passenger ships for the Costa Crociere Company and in 1999 served for the first time as captain. He continued his career as captain on board of M/Y Nel blu, an 88-foot San Lorenzo and M/Y Felidan, a 115-foot Benetti. In 2005, he founded Monello Yachting Consulting. Since October 2008, he has been working in Amico & Co shipyard as marketing manager. Thanks to great experience gained within the naval sector, he has the ability to fully comprehend each clients’ needs and is able to translate this to the shipyard. He prides himself in working in close collaboration with the captains and clients, providing both technical support and nautical knowledge to ensure a seamless refit.
Tony Hambrook, Managing Director, Alloy Yachts
After growing up in a small, rural town in New Zealand, at 30 years of age, Tony Hambrook built a 52-foot steel ketch, taught himself to sail and set off on a three and a half year ocean voyage. On returning to New Zealand, he decided to continue his relationship with the sea by building large yachts. In 1984, Tony began the journey that would lead to his appointment as production manager of Alloy Yachts. In 1989 he was asked to take the helm and has been managing director ever since. Tony’s contributions to the New Zealand marine industry were recognized in 2006 when he received a Lifetime Membership into the Waitakere Business Hall of Fame. In 2007, he was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit and in 2009 was awarded the International Superyacht Society Leadership Award.
Kirk Hawkins, ICON Aircraft
Before graduating from Stanford Business School in 2005 and founding ICON, Kirk Hawkins flew F-16s for the U.S. Air Force and 767s for American Airlines. Prior to the USAF, he worked in both aviation and aerospace engineering. After earning a degree in mechanical engineering from Clemson University, he was the director of engineering at an aerospace contractor before returning for his Masters in Engineering from Stanford University in 1995. Kirk grew up racing motocross and has been an avid sport and flying enthusiast for 25 years. He has built and flown ultralight and experimental aircraft, and has logged nearly 1,000 skydives. Kirk is also a seaplane flight instructor with hundreds of hours of bush flying in Alaska. Today he is an active snowboarder, wake-boarder, and scuba diver, as well as a devoted member of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America.
Tim Heywood, Tim Heywood Designs
Tim Heywood established his own studio with partner Vanessa Reville 14 years ago and during the intervening period has been the driving force behind such yachts as Ice, Kogo, Phocea, Pelorus, Carinthia VII, Limitless, Perfect Prescription, Al Mirqab, Mayan Queen IV, Dilbar, Radiant, and the Amels Limited Edition series. Concentrating on the overall concept of the yachts and the detail design of the exterior, he now works with the world’s top interior designers to bring his projects to completion, which allows him to concentrate on the sculptural forms that are a strong feature of his work. Currently, Tim is working with yards in Holland, Italy, Germany, Australia, and the U.S. Of the three yachts to his designs being delivered this year, the latest one is Cakewalk.
Stephen Hills, Managing Director, Devonport Yachts
Stephen Hills is a qualified naval architect who, after graduating from Southampton University, worked for Devonport Royal Dockyard (DRDL) for 19 years. Stephen focused on a vast range of naval and commercial projects before taking charge of the Devonport yacht business as it started its new-build program in 1999.
In 2009, Stephen left DRDL and established Devonport Yachts Limited in order to develop and apply Devonport’s extensive large yacht experience within a new organizational structure that is better positioned to support the requirements of the superyacht industry.
Marnix Hoekstra, Vripack Naval Architects
A graduate in naval architecture and marine engineering, Marnix J. Hoekstra, is one of the third generation of owners of Vripack, the Dutch naval architecture, design, engineering and brokerage firm founded in 1961 by Dick Boon. “To seamlessly blend the sailing wishes of our clients in to a design that first knocks them off their feet and later on is embraced as if they thought of every inch themselves, gives our team, and thus me, a great pleasure. You can see this right from our first Doggersbank trawlers like Beothuk and the invention of the expedition yacht Turmoil,” he says. “The quality of our work is the sum of experience and enthusiasm.”
Rob Humphreys, Humphreys Yacht Design
Founded in 1974, Humphreys Yacht Design’s portfolio of work is as diverse as it is successful. The studio combines the latest in design technology and techniques with strong stylistic flair and an approach to designing yachts that places the clients’ wishes and aspirations first and foremost. The discernible theme that runs through all the studio’s projects is the combination of efficient, easily driven and seaworthy sail and motor yachts, overlaid with the distinctive aesthetic and functional requirements of the owner.
Bram Jongepier, De Voogt Naval Architects
Raised in the company of small sailing boats, Bram Jongepier finished technical college on a course for yachting. His professional career began in 1993 at Heesen Yachts, initially as a project manager and later leading the construction and exterior outfit department. From 1999 onwards, due to increased in-house design requirements, Bram provided all preliminary technical designs and naval architecture for the yachts, usually based on Omega Architects’ styling.
In 2008, Bram joined Feadship in the De Voogt design office. As manager of knowledge development, he is responsible for the development and execution of the Feadship R&D program; for strengthening De Voogt knowledge management, and for leading the design development effort, starting with each newly contracted design. Bram stumbled on the MLC rules early in 2006, and has been working with MCA, HISWA, SYBAss and the MCA subgroup on MLC ever since to reach a workable interpretation for the yachting industry.
Henk Koster, Owner of M/Y Grace
Born during the war in Hilversum, Holland, Henk Koster initially trained for a career in shipping and sailed as junior officer on cargo ships. He then switched to civil aviation and, after his military service as a navy pilot, he served with several airlines as co-pilot, captain, chief instructor, and operations manager. Home was Amsterdam, Malta, Geneva, and Monaco. In the mid-1970s, Henk curtailed his flying duties in order to study philosophy and to pursue several ventures as diverse as real estate, interior design, medical research, insurance, yacht building in Holland, seaplane flying in the U.S., and a lot of sailing in the Mediterranean. Eventually, there was also time to build the 158-foot modern classic motor yacht Grace. He recently went back to merchant navy school and now holds a master’s certificate for all ships of less than 3000 GT, enabling him to operate Grace commercially as captain, preferably north of the Arctic Circle.
Dan Lenard, Nuvolari-Lenard
Dan Lenard, architect and designer, established Nuvolari-Lenard with his partner Carlo Nuvolari 20 years ago. The Venice based studio is a one of a kind yacht design house, providing a complete development solution from production yachts to superyachts, covering all aspects of the design, engineering, interior design, brand development and market positioning.
Dan’s first design of a 50-foot production sailing yacht was launched at the age of 19. In the superyacht field, the first awards arrived in 1999 for a overall design of the 194-foot La Baronessa, later followed by the Perini Navi 210-foot Felicita West. Whilst the studio are currently working on their 212th project, the last yacht they launched was number 186: the 282-foot Oceanco Seven Seas. Among large yacht deliveries in 2010 are the 236-foot CRN Azteca, the 171-foot Palmer Johnson DB 9 and the 157-foot Palmer Johnson Vantage. Current Nuvolari-Lenard superyacht work includes constructions at Lürssen, Oceanco, Amels, Palmer Johnson and CRN.
Dan, a keen sailor, both sail and motor, holds a Master L.C. and with his wife Katarina and two kids covered 2000 Nm in the Med last summer, inspecting completed projects in their natural environment from Croatia to the Riviera.
John Leonida, Clyde & Co
John Leonida specializes in large yacht finance as well as international marine transactions and is the founding member and leader of the firm’s yacht group. John advises on regulatory issues relating to ship ownership and has extensive experience in negotiating shipbuilding and ship financing documents. His clients are either shipping entrepreneurs or, in the case of John’s superyacht work, high net-worth individuals and banks. John has been a partner with Clyde & Co. since May 2003, having formerly been a development economist with the British Foreign Office’s overseas development administration. Legal 500 describes John as having an “outstanding reputation in the superyacht sector,” while Chambers outlines that he “maintains an excellent track record in superyacht cases.”
Peter Lyngdorf, Steinway Lyngdorf
Peter Lyngdorf has been a leading force in the audio industry for more than 30 years with significant breakthroughs in digital amplification and acoustical mapping technologies. Ever since getting a tape recorder at the age of 11, Peter has been utterly fascinated with audio reproduction. After owning several audio companies including NAD Electronics, Peter became the original financier of Toccata Technology ApS, which created the very first true digital amplifier and was acquired by Texas Instruments in 2000.
Currently he is the CEO of Steinway Lyngdorf, which he founded in 2005 through a partnership with Steinway & Sons resulting in the privately-held company SL Audio A/S. In addition to Steinway Lyngdorf and Lyngdorf Audio, Peter also founded AudioNord International which encompasses Hi-Fi Klubben, Scandinavia’s largest HiFi importer and retailer, and Dali A/S.
Greg Marshall, Gregory C. Marshall Naval Architect
Gregory Marshall has been a yacht designer for more than 30 years, beginning his career working for nine years as a protégé under the skilled eye of William Garden. Greg has worked on a wide array of projects from as small as 12 feet and up to 330 feet and has designed boats in all materials and virtually all types. Greg’s designs have won many awards including Most Innovative Yacht three out of the last four years. Greg and his business partner Gordon Galbraith are at the cutting edge of a new breed of experience-based yachts whereby the vessels are purpose built to support unique experiences that most vessel are not capable of providing.
Christina M.M. Norris, Oversee Yachts
Christina M. M. Norris is a yacht interior designer and a competitive sailor. After managing boatyards, interning with Feadship, and earning a degree in architecture, Christina founded Oversee Yachts, LLC in 1990. She operates her business from the U.S., however, her clientele spans the globe along with her partnerships in building yachts. Her international success is supported by the fact that she speaks five languages and is well versed in international culture and behaviors. Completing 40 projects in 20 years, she smoothly navigates her design clients through the build process and has won ShowBoats awards for both motor and sailing yacht projects.
Stefano Pastrovich, Pastrovich Studio
Architect Stefano Pastrovich began his career in 1997 at the Francis Studio, during which time he participated in the design of 187-foot Senses. In 1998 he designed for Claus Kusch the exterior and layout of Le Grand Bleu. From 2000 to 2005, he joined the Wally team to develop the design and construction of the 118-foot Wallypower and styled the full Wally power range. In 2005, he opened the doors of his own studio, specializing in custom yachts. Among his projects are the layout of a 374-foot motor yacht, a 42-foot sailboat, the interiors of a 63-foot carbon fiber sailing yacht, the design of a resort and spa, and a 196-foot yacht. He is presently following the refit of a research vessel and the restyling of a shadow vessel.
Paul Shallcross, BMT Nigel Gee
Paul Shallcross graduated in mechanical and manufacturing engineering in 1995, having been sponsored by a heavy engineering firm which gave him a hands-on apprenticeship. Working as a quality engineer in engine manufacture with Nissan gave Paul a strong grounding in systems and management of complex projects. He has been both a captain and engineer on large sailing yachts, which expanded his knowledge of systems design and mechanical installations. This experience, which included refits, gives him a “clients’ perspective” for how engineering systems should operate. Paul joined BMT Nigel Gee in 2006. Since then he has been responsible for managing the mechanical department, developing of class-level designs and acting as a technical consultant, as well as managing detailed design projects on yachts and commercial vessels up to 394 feet.
Peter Southgate, Cayman Islands Shipping Registry
Peter Southgate is a naval architect with more than 27 years of experience in the marine industry, beginning as an apprentice on the south coast of England in 1983. After a stint as a surveyor to Lloyd’s Register of Shipping and the U.K. MCA, where he specialized in yachts, he joined the Cayman Islands Shipping Registry (U.K. Office) in January 2003. In August 2006, he was promoted to Deputy Divisional Director, based in George Town, Grand Cayman, where he was in charge of the Survey Section and had primary responsibility for large yacht policy development. After completing a Qualifying Law Degree in 2009, Peter was appointed advisor for maritime policy and legislation development with responsibility for creating and implementing maritime policy and legislation in support of international conventions and domestic regulations. In addition, Peter has assumed the role of shipping master with responsibility for dealing with seafarer employment issues, including dispute resolution.
The Cayman Registry’s services include registration, survey and certification, crew compliance, vessel construction supervision and maritime consultancy. It recognises better than most that the objective of owning ships is to trade at a profit and therefore acknowledges a responsibility to create the overall conditions and to provide the services that prudent ship and yacht owners need to achieve this. Registration is actively targeted across the full spectrum of vessel types including commercial ships and pleasure yachts.
Rémi Tessier, Rémi Tessier Design
Rémi Tessier is a French interior architect and designer who opened his design office 20 years ago. For more than 10 years he has worked on the interior design of large sailing and motor yachts, collaborating with renowned yards and famous naval architects. He has acquired an international reputation in the interior design of private yachts and won many awards, including the “Interior Designer of the Year” in 2006. Rémi believes each yacht must be designed as a unique work of art and his inspiration comes from natural elements. Now located in Saint-Germain-des-prés district of Paris, where he works with a high level team of 15 collaborators, he has so far launched six sailing yachts and two motor yachts. Five yachts from 50m to 95m are under construction.
Peter Wilson, MCM
Peter Wilson established Marine Construction Management in Newport, Rhode Island, with Nigel Ingram in 1988. During the past 22 years, they have managed the construction of many well-known and groundbreaking projects, including the recently launched yachts Marie, Calliope, Kokomo, and the J-class Lionheart. With offices in Newport, Palma, Mallorca, and The Netherlands, and a satellite office in New Zealand, MCM’s yacht construction and yacht management operations are well supported around the globe. Peter’s background includes experience as a boat builder, yacht captain, inshore and offshore ocean racer and participant in seven America’s Cups. The last 22 years has been and exciting time for Peter seeing MCM grow from the germination stage of project management as an industry specialty to now being a major force in new yacht construction and management of both sailing and motor yachts.