"Jeannette, Nancy, Russ and Susan"

Russell and Jeannette Williams: Founders
Favorite boat name: Lake Fly

When entrepreneurs, Russ and Jeannette Williams' daughters, Nancy and Susan, proposed opening a yachting business in Miami; their parent's replied, "why not?" Even though Nan and Sue were fresh out of college and Miami a long way from home; the Williams family had considerable marine experience; having owned Fox River Marina in Oshkosh, Wisconsin since 1965. (Plus spending winters in Florida and summers in Wisconsin didn't sound too bad!) Thus, Florida Yacht Charters (FYC) was officially "launched" in 1982.

Russ Williams, FYC's President, loves challenges. In the early 1940's, he earned his college tuition by playing sax and leading his own swing band, "Russ Williams and the Collegians. When World War II intervened, Russ volunteered to serve in the U.S Army, attaining the rank of Major in the First Infantry division. Before shipping out to Germany, however, on a rare weekend leave, he was smitten by a beautiful southern belle, Jeannette, who was a senior at Auburn University, majoring in medical technology. Persuading Jeannette to marry him (a Yankee!) was his first challenge. Then getting her over to Germany in the middle of the war was his next obstacle. He finally managed to get Jeannette to come to a year later. She crossed the Atlantic on a wooden military ship, U-boats all around, her first real taste of the boating life!

Finally they were married in Regensburg, Germany in 1944. After the war, Russ earned his bachelor of Law degree from Cambridge University, England, and also his Doctor of Juris degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Then he and Jeannette settled down in his hometown of Oshkosh, to open his own law firm, raise five kids and start Fox River Marina from scratch. Many other successful business endeavors followed, but none has proved to be as much "fun" as Florida Yacht Charters & Sales.

Today, Russ is a U.S Coast Guard (and Bahamas) licensed captain; and licensed Florida yacht broker. He and Jeannette, (happily married after 55 years), are quite active in the business, providing advice and encouragement to daughters, Nancy, Susan and their son-in-law, Bob Everhard, who manage the day-to-day operations at Florida Yacht. Russ and Jeannette now spend winters in the Bahamas, supervising the FYC Abaco charter fleet, and travel frequently to boat shows all over the world(that is, when they aren't out sailing their own sailboat in Key West, or babysitting their seven grandchildren.)

Nancy Williams Batchelor: Vice President - Yacht Sales
Favorite boat name: Papa Noona

You just never know where this dynamic yacht broker will be found nextswooshing down the slopes of Aspen, sailing in the Bahamas and attending yachting events in between. Nancy spent over 16 years in Miami managing the sales team at Florida Yacht, before recently moving to Aspen to become "Aspen's only yacht broker".

Nancy uses her experience to assist clients in arranging yachting vacations, yacht purchases and luxury home sales and rentals. Nancy is also a licensed real estate broker, so she can sell you a waterfront homeand the yacht to go with it! She and husband, Jon, own a vacation home, called "Bali Hai", on Elbow Cay in the beautiful Abacos, Bahamas. "Bali Hai" is also available to rent by the week and is ideal for the boating family who want to rent a luxurious vacation home, with a dock for their own yacht, or one rented by Florida Yacht Charters.

Bob and Susan (Williams) Everhard

Susan Williams Everhard: Vice President-Business Manager
Favorite boat name: Moving Party

Its been quite a successful year for Susan, winning the Marine Retailers Association of America's (MRAA) "Darlene Briggs Marine Woman of the Year Award"; which recognizes women who've made outstanding achievements in the marine industry.

Susan is a 1983 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she spent her college years sailing the in-land lakes of Wisconsin and working around boats at her family's marina. At Florida Yacht, Susan oversees administration, advertising, and the accounting departments. She is also a licensed Florida yacht broker-salesperson and ASA certified sailing instructor, and is actively involved in both local and national marine organizations.

She is married to Bob Everhard, general manager of Florida Yacht whom she met when he interviewed for a job in 1984. "I liked Bob, so I hired him, then four years later, I married him", says Susan with a smile. When they're not working together, Bob and Sue sneak off to go sailing in the Florida Keys or Bahamas with their two kids, Robbie and Meg.

Capt. Bob Everhard: General Manager
Favorite boat name: High Winds

"Hurricane Bob" earned his nickname due to his habit of going windsurfing in near hurricane-like conditions. Bob heads up the Sales and Service department, and is a valuable source of hands-on, practical knowledge; whether its yacht equipment installations, electronics, rigging, custom yacht refits and (we wish!) the rare new boat warranty claim. Bob has his 100-ton US Coast Guard Captain's License, is an ASA certified sailing instructor and licensed Florida yacht broker. In addition to windsurfing, Bob enjoys flying and competing in triathlons.

Capt. Ben Grehan: Director of Charter Operations
Favorite Boat Name: Saturday's Child

Capt. Ben got his start in sailing when his parents took him to sea as a baby in a basket, tied to the mast (we are not making this up!). Ben grew up in Marblehead, where he enjoyed carefree summers sailing. He came to Florida in 1986 on vacation and never went back, landing a job as a dockhand with Florida Yacht. He earned his Coast Guard 100-ton captain's license, ASA certification, worked as a charter captain for several years before being promoted to director of charter operations in all locations, Miami, Key West and Bahamas. Ben is a veteran regatta champion, and has accumulated so many trophies we've lost track, most won aboard his own boat, Saturday's Child, which is also in our Miami charter fleet.