Meet Your Morningstar Marina Managers

Our marina managers are a group of dedicated, high-energy leaders that “get it done” managing the day-to-day operations of the marinas. Whether it be the office, the dry stack, or on the docks, these outstanding teammates make sure processes run smoothly while keeping us all safe! Keep on reading to learn some fast, fun facts about each of our Morningstar Marina Managers!

Lisa M | Mayport, Jacksonville, FL

Meet Lisa from our Mayport Marina in Jacksonville, FL. She has worked with Morningstar Marinas for 2 years, after moving to Florida from Ohio!

Q: What is your favorite part of working at a marina?
A: I love interacting with my members!

Q: What is your favorite boat or type of boat?
A: I’m not picky, one that won’t sink!

Q: What are your hobbies outside of the marina?
A: Learning to surf, biking, hiking and snorkeling.

Q: What is your favorite lunch spot?
A: Any seafood restaurant.

Q: Do you have a pet?
A: I have one cat. His name is Teach after the pirate Blackbeard.

Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: Lord of the Rings

Justin D. | Gwynn’s Island, Hudgins, VA

Meet Justin at our Gwynn’s Island Marina, located in Hudgins, VA. Justin moved to the water from the mountains and fell in love with the boating industry!

Q: What is your favorite part of working at a marina?
A: The staff and customers

Q: What is your favorite boat or type of boat?
A: 20-22 ft. Tidewater T-Top

Q: What are your hobbies outside of the marina?
A: Fishing, boating and the beaches

Q: What is your favorite lunch spot?
A: Mathews Grill and Deli

Q: What is your favorite fishing spot?
A: Williams Wharf

Q: Do you have a pet?
A: Two cats and a dachshund

Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: Fast and Furious

Dakoda H. | Little Creek, Norfolk, VA

Meet Dakoda our Little Creek Marina! Dakoda started working in the marina industry as a summer job during college and loved it so much, she hasn’t left!

Q: What is your favorite part of working at a marina?
A: Every day brings on different challenges. I’m always learning something new.

Q: How many years have you worked at the marina?
A: I have been working with Morningstar Marinas since 2016.

Q: What is your favorite boat or type of boat?
A: Center console, seafoam green.

Q: What are your hobbies outside of the marina?
A: Woodworking and gardening.

Q: What is your favorite lunch spot?
A: Stony’s

Q: What is your favorite fishing spot?
A: I haven’t fished in the Bay yet, but hopefully, I will soon!

Q: Do you have a pet?
Bentley! He’s a Border Collie Mix.

Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: The Fast and Furious series!

Joseph F. | Golden Isles Marina, St. Simon’s Island, GA

Meet Joseph, Marina Manager at our Golden Isles Marina in St. Simon’s Island, GA. Joseph’s family has owned boats and been in the shrimping industry for years, so this was a natural career for him!

Q: What is your favorite part of working at a marina?
A: The atmosphere and the people.

Q: How many years have you worked at the marina?
A: 12 years.

Q: What is your favorite boat or type of boat?
A: Sabre or Hinkley picnic-style boat.

Q: What are your hobbies outside of the marina?
A: Spending time with family.

Q: What is your favorite lunch spot?
A: Anywhere that serves fresh seafood.

Q: Do you have a pet?
A: I have a dog. She is a beagle named Georgia.

Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: The Godfather.

Anna K. | Golden Isles Marina, St. Simon’s Island, GA

Meet Anna, our Office Manager at Golden Isles. She moved to the area to be close to the water and loves working at a marina to stay involved with life by the sea.

Q: What is your favorite part of working at a marina?
A: I love when I get to walk down the docks, be outside, talk to customers and assist visitors. Customer service is in my nature and it’s much more fun face to face in a beautiful setting than it is over the phone at a desk!

Q: What is your favorite boat or type of boat?
A: I love seeing the power yachts that are over 100’ come in. It’s a rare treat to witness the precision exhibited by the captains and we have a great view from our office.

Q: What are your hobbies outside of the marina?
A: I love to cook and consider myself a bit of a foodie. I also just bought a 114-year-old home and spend a great deal of time buying and selling all kinds of things to fix it up, decorate, and make it a place I am proud to call home (and the commute to work is heaven).

Q: What is your favorite lunch spot?
A: Yellow Deli in Brunswick. It is a fascinating and beautiful place with the best sandwiches ever. Their food is homemade and I always pick up a treat, like their sundried tomato bread, to take with me for later.

Q: What is your favorite fishing spot?
A: I don’t do a lot of fishing, but I love nothing more than a fresh catch for dinner!

Q: Do you have a pet?
A: Two cats, Bernard and Oliver (Bernie and Ollie), both named by my daughter.

Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: Whale Rider or The American President

Braden L. | McLean, Lake Wylie, SC

Meet Braden, dockhand turned marina manager at our newest marina on Lake Wylie in South Carolina. Braden recently graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and has been working in marinas for six years.

Q: How did you get into the marina industry?
A: I’ve been boating all my life and I figured it would be a good way to always be in a setting around boats and around the water.

Q: What is your favorite part of working at a marina?
A: Meeting and making connections with new people all the time as well as seeing all the cool stuff that comes by. There are never two of the same days!

Q: What is your favorite boat or type of boat?
A: Invincible

Q: What are your hobbies outside of the marina?
A: Boating and fishing.

Q: What is your favorite lunch spot?
A: Harris Teeter subs

Q: What is your favorite fishing spot?
A: Gulf Stream

Q: Do you have a pet?
A: An Australian shepherd named Skye

Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: 6 Underground

Nora Crimmins | Little Creek, Norfolk, VA

Meet Nora from our Little Creek Marina in Norfolk, VA. Nora has been working in the marina industry for four years and loves the great atmosphere of boating life.

Q: What is your favorite part of working at a marina?
A: The people and seeing the cheerfulness on customers faces