Meet the Crew
So much of what makes Marine Servicenter so great is our crew!
Sales Team – Seattle
Dan Krier
V.P. Yacht Sales/Certified Professional Yacht Broker
Seattle/ Bellingham
dan@marinesc.com
Bio
Dan Krier
V.P. Yacht Sales/Certified Professional Yacht Broker
Seattle/Bellingham
With over 25 years of experience in the boating industry, Dan brings a wealth of knowledge to the sales department. His extensive boating and marine industry experience combined with his degree in Aerospace Engineering and Naval Architecture studies gives him good balance in many facets of boat buying/ selling, handling, design and construction.
Dan has a passion for boating and has sailed most of his life. He holds several American Sailing Association instructor certifications and had a US Coast Guard Masters license. From daysailing to bareboat chartering to performance racing, Dan has taught hundreds of adults and juniors the sport of sailing. He has organized numerous sailing events, cruising functions, race series, and is currently the chair for the Mark Meyer Opening Day Regatta at the Seattle Yacht Club. Dan and his wife Lisa are both sailing enthusiasts. Besides campaigning their J/22 “Bullet” throughout the race season, they enjoy cruising and chartering around the world. Dan has lived, worked, and sailed throughout the Caribbean, Midwest, New England, and the Pacific Northwest. He has extensive charter, racing, and cruising experience on a wide variety of yachts.
Boating in the Northwest became more than just sailing for Dan when Marine Servicenter became the American Tug dealer in 2004. Dan’s experience with trawler style powerboats includes customer training and several deliveries on American Tugs and other trawlers. Most recently Dan and his wife Lisa cruised an American Tug 435 from Sitka to Ketchikan Alaska and then later from Sullivan Bay to Anacortes.
Dan has been a member of the Northwest Yacht Brokers Association (NYBA) since 2000 and has been a NYBA Board Member since 2009 moving to the Executive Committee serving as Secretary in 2010 and Vice President in 2011 & 2012. Dan is also the chair of the NYBA Grow Boating Committee. Past NYBA committees have included the Boat Show Committee, Joint NMTA/ NYBA Sailing Committee, and Grow Boating Committee. He is a Certified Professional Yacht Broker (CPYB) since 2004 and has been recognized by Jeanneau, Tartan, & Hunter on several occasions for outstanding performance.
Dan is an industry leader attending International Dealer meetings for several brands, Regional, National, & International Boat Shows, and has many contacts in the marine industry nationwide with manufacturers, dealers, and brokers to compare experiences and share knowledge with.
Dan is happy to share his boating and professional knowledge to help customers find the right boat to fit their particular needs. Visit Dan at either the Marine Servicenter Seattle office or meet him in Bellingham where he spends a lot of his time as well. Send Dan email at dan@marinesc.com.
Dean Iwata
Professional Yacht Broker
Seattle
dean@marinesc.com
Bio
Dean Iwata
Professional Yacht Broker
Seattle
Dean started sailing as a teenager in the Bay Area sailing on dinghies, sailboards and racing in the J/24 fleet on San Francisco Bay. He turned his passion for the outdoors and boating into a career; he has more than 35 years of experience working for leading brands in the Outdoor and Marine industries developing real estate, products, technology, design and operations.
Over the years Dean and his wife have owned several sail and power boats, they currently own a Jeanneau 39i that they keep in Seattle. Their boat gets lots of use cruising in Puget Sound and British Columbia all year round, day trips and more extensive cruises. They enjoy sharing their life on the water with friends and family; racing, cruising and fishing. They recently chartered a boat and cruised in Croatian waters where the sailing and the beauty of the country exceeded all expectations.
Highly experienced in delivering a great experience to his customers, Dean is eager to help them find just the right boat to allow them to explore their passion for life on the water!
Dean can be found on Lake Union at the Seattle office located at 2442 Westlake Ave N., or can be reached via email at dean@marinesc.com.
Bryan Rhodes
Professional Yacht Broker
Seattle
bryan@marinesc.com
Bio
Bryan Rhodes
Professional Yacht Broker
Seattle
Bryan Rhodes brings 40+ years of yachting experience to Marine Servicenter. He holds a USCG 100 Ton license and is a certified US Sailing instructor. He races locally on a TP52 and J/70 and lives on a Hanse 455 sailboat in Ballard. He is uniquely qualified to explain the key differences in modern production sailboats.
Bryan was the Service Manager in 2021 and is excited to return to Marine Servicenter in a sales role. He worked on yachts on the East Coast of the US and in the Caribbean before landing a role with Backcountry.com when it was an early startup. His previous careers in e-commerce and real estate marketing trained an eye for details that will be beneficial to your yacht purchase or selling experience.
“I believe my yachting and prior professional successes have prepared me to be a great yacht broker. As a live aboard in Seattle I understand that small details matter when finding the perfect boat for you. I look forward to working with you on your next yacht purchase or sale.”
When not out sailing you will find Bryan at the Seattle office at 2442 Westlake Ave N or he can be reached via email at bryan@marinesc.com.
Todd Heckel
Professional Yacht Broker
Seattle
todd@marinesc.com
Bio
Todd Heckel
Professional Yacht Broker
Seattle
Todd’s connection to the water began early, growing up waterskiing and spending countless hours outdoors. His love for boating truly took hold when he ventured to sailing camp in Downeast Maine—an experience that opened the door to a lifelong passion for sailing and cruising. After college, he moved to the Pacific Northwest, where he became American Sailing Association certified and began exploring the beauty of Puget Sound aboard a variety of sailboats.
Over the past three decades, Todd has immersed himself in the local boating scene, participating in iconic events such as Duck Dodge, the Downtown Sailing Series, Blakely Rock Regattas, and Swiftsure. Beyond the Northwest, Todd sailed to Hawaii with his wife Katie, and has enjoyed many sailing adventures on the east coast and in the Caribbean including a transit of the Panama Canal. Todd currently holds a USCG 25-Ton Masters License with sail and tow endorsements.
Before turning his passion into a profession, Todd spent many years leading teams and projects at prominent technology companies, building a strong foundation in communication, leadership, and customer-focused problem-solving.
Today, Todd brings that same energy and expertise to helping others discover the joy of life on the water. Whether it’s matching someone with the perfect boat or sharing insights from his own sailing adventures, Todd is dedicated to making the boating lifestyle approachable and rewarding. When he’s not on the water, you can find him hiking, skiing, or restoring classic cars.
Todd can be found at the Seattle office located at 2442 Westlake Ave N or can be reached via email at todd@marinesc.com.
Jeff Smith
Professional Yacht Broker
Seattle
jeffsmith@marinesc.com
Bio
Jeff Smith
Professional Yacht Broker
Seattle
Jeff started sailing at age 3 in San Francisco Bay with his brother. He has raced and sailed in the Med, crossed the Atlantic, sailed extensively in the Caribbean, took his boat through the Panama Canal, and raced and cruised in LA, San Francisco and the Pacific Northwest. He chartered in Tahiti and is planning sailing trips to Mexico, Croatia and the Seychelles.
His experience spans owning, delivering, and crewing on 90 multihull and monohull sailboats and trawlers. Jeff trains sail and powerboat owners in navigation, boat handling, optimization, docking, route planning and weather. His experience working in the recreation industry enables helping clients find the ideal solution for their boating needs. Jeff’s experience with complex technology projects and finance help him manage and deliver projects that delight the new boat’s owner.
Jeff can help you find an existing boat, help you outfit a new boat or help you configure a custom boat that will provide years of enjoyment for you, your family and friends. Jeff can be found at the Seattle office located at 2442 Westlake Ave N or can be reached via email at jeffsmith@marinesc.com.
Doug Lombard
Professional Yacht Broker
Seattle
doug@marinesc.com
Bio
Doug Lombard
Professional Yacht Broker
Seattle
Doug, a Seattle native and UW Grad, grew up sailing the Salish Sea and is a lifelong member of the maritime community. Sharing adventures on the water is Doug’s passion and has led to tens of thousands of miles both inland and offshore, cruising, racing, and delivering yachts throughout the Pacific, along the Atlantic Seaboard and into the Caribbean with his USCG 100 Ton Master’s License. As an ASA/RPBA instructor, he enjoys introducing new sailors to the sport and coaching experienced sailors as they hone their skills.
A two-time cancer survivor, Doug has come to understand that life is fleeting and there is no better time to live than right now! Founder of the Coho Ho Ho Cruising Rally, Doug’s tag line is, “Be safe, have fun, and realize your Bluewater Dreams!” Doug can be found at the Seattle office located at 2442 Westlake Ave N or can be reached via email at doug@marinesc.com.
John Sheppard
Professional Yacht Broker
Seattle
john@marinesc.com
Bio
John Sheppard
Professional Yacht Broker
Seattle
At sixteen, John and a friend impulsively pooled their money and bought a beat-up Hobie Beach Cat. It ignited a life-long journey for all things sailing and maritime. That beat-up cat was only the first of many boats, from racing dinghies to blue water cruisers. John is grateful to have boating in his life. It led him to his closest friends and most incredible adventures!
John has sailed hundreds of races, crossed oceans, and cruised many of the world’s most beautiful locations! One of his greatest joys is sharing his passion and knowledge with others. John is a U.S. Sailing instructor, an American Sailing Association Instructor, and does private custom instruction. He holds a USCG Master’s License with an International 500GT endorsement. John and his wife live aboard their Jeanneau Yacht 51, spending their time cruising the incredible waters of the Pacific Northwest.
After a long career in corporate leadership, he turned his full-time professional focus to the passion that began so long ago. He is a working merchant mariner, a yacht sales professional, and a boating educator. John believes the Water Rat said it best, “Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing — absolutely nothing — half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” John can be found at the Seattle office located at 2442 Westlake Ave N or can be reached via email at john@marinesc.com.
Sales Team – Bellingham
Don Smith
Professional Yacht Broker
Bellingham
don@marinesc.com
Bio
Don Smith
Professional Yacht Broker
Bellingham
don@marinesc.com
Don grew up in the Columbia River port town of Ilwaco, WA. During his college years at WWU in Bellingham, he worked for the Port of Ilwaco and in the oyster industry on Willapa Bay. He learned to sport fish at the mouth of the Columbia before becoming a commercial fisherman in S.E. Alaska and Puget Sound. He was a skipper in the Whitney Fidalgo fleet and made five round trips on the inside passage between Bellingham and Icy Straits.
Don has crewed on sailboats and previously owned three power boats ranging from 25′ to 38′. He has enjoyed being on and around boats for 40 years and has loved his time on the water from the Columbia River to Haines, Alaska, as well as throughout the San Juan Islands. I look forward to helping others find the right boat for themselves and their families. Don can be found at the Bellingham office located at 1801 Roeder Ave #128 or can be reached via email at don@marinesc.com.
Jonathan Knowles
Professional Yacht Broker
Bellingham
jon@marinesc.com
Bio
Jonathan Knowles
Professional Yacht Broker
Bellingham
jon@marinesc.com
Jon Knowles left a career in IT & Electrical Engineering to pursue his passion for boating. He comes from a long family of mariners from Cape Cod MA, spanning over 200 years, including Clipper Ship Captains from Brewster in the 1800s to Naval Commanders servicing in WW2 and Korea.
Jon started sailing on San Francisco Bay at the SFYC youth sailing program, then on Cal-20s with his father Joe, on Olympic Solings, and any boat looking for crew. During college, he raced with the UC San Diego Sailing Team. Knowles’s family vacations included cruises in Hawaii, the Caribbean, and Japan.
Since relocating to the PNW in 1998, he has cruised all around the local waters including the San Juan’s, Gulf Islands, and Desolation Sound, up to the northern tip of Vancouver Isla and down south to Olympia. He has also cruised in the Mediterranean Sea, along the southern coast of France to Spain, and the west coast of Turkey up to Istanbul. He participates in weekly club racing and regional regattas on his Etchells and J/35, ocean racing up and down the Pacific Coast, Team Racing in Australia & Canada, and double-handed deliveries from Hawaii to San Francisco. Hawaii.
Jon is a Past Commodore of the Bellingham Yacht Club (2015), Past President of the Bellingham (Youth) Sailing Foundation, and former BYC Racing Fleet Captain. He holds a USGC Masters License with Auxiliary Sail endorsement and ASA Sailing Instructor Certification.
When not sailing, Jon is skiing, hiking around Mt Baker, vacationing on the Oregon Coast, and going concerts with his wife Ann. He has 3 children, Sam, Marle & Jack. Jon can be found at the Bellingham office located at 1801 Roeder Ave #128 or can be reached via email at jon@marinesc.com.
Men Wanted: For hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success. – Ernest Shackleton
Sales Team – San Diego
Tom Hall
Professional Yacht Broker
San Diego
tomh@marinesc.com
Bio
Tom Hall
USCG Licensed Sailing Master – ASA Certified Instructor
San Diego
First and foremost, Captain Tom loves to share his passion for sailing with others, whether they’re charter customers, ASA students, or yacht sales customers. He has logged 10’s of thousands of miles under sail between offshore yacht deliveries, owning & operating a Hobie Catamaran sailing business, and racing on everything from a Nacra beach cat to a Swan 56’. Tom also owned and operated a yacht services and rigging business in Charleston, SC. His friendly demeanor, outgoing personality, and attention to detail help him build strong relationships with his clients. He knows that purchasing a sailboat is a big event in people’s lives, and he is ready and willing to help make it fun and enjoyable for you. Tom can be found at the San Diego office located at 955 Harbor Island Drive #160 or can be reached via email at tomh@marinesc.com.
Mike Dorgan
Professional Yacht Broker
San Diego
mikedorgan@marinesc.com
Bio
Mike Dorgan
Professional Yacht Broker
San Diego
Mike Dorgan’s life and career showcase a profound connection with the maritime world. His journey, from childhood exploration of Mobile Bay and the Gulf Coast to becoming a Commodore at the San Diego Yacht Club, reflects a lifelong dedication to sailing and boating. Starting with an impressive 8-year stint as a member of the US Sailing Team, Mike ventured into international waters, racing all over the world in the Olympic Star Class. His racing experiences include collaborations with renowned sailors like Dennis Conner, Peter Isler, Vince Brun, Eric Doyle, and Bruce Nelson in various championships. Mike’s offshore racing adventures span
races to Mexico, the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and the Transpac Hawaii race across the Pacific.
Transitioning to family life in San Diego, Mike acquired a 40′ family sailboat, leading to numerous voyages to Catalina Island, Mexico, and participation in sailing events like the Yachting Cups, Beer Can, and Hot Rum races. His commitment to the San Diego Yacht Club is evident through over a decade of service on the Board of Directors, earning him the prestigious role of Commodore in 2018. Simultaneously, Mike has excelled in his career as a Yacht Broker with Dorgan Yachts, Inc., accumulating an impressive three decades of Yacht Sales experience.
His meticulous approach to yacht sales and service is well-regarded, and he has built a reputation for championing the personal interests of his clients. Remaining deeply involved in the racing scene, Mike continues to compete actively in the San Diego YC Finn Fleet. He founded and served as the past Fleet Captain for the San Diego Bay Star Fleet, as well as for the Beneteau First 36.7 and 40.7 fleets. His contributions to racing fleets in San Diego were acknowledged in 2022 with the ‘Alonzo de Jessop Memorial Award’ for Outstanding Service to Yachting by the San Diego Association of Yacht Clubs. Mike’s expertise extends beyond the water, as he contributed on the chapter “How to Buy a Boat” in the second edition of “Sailing for Dummies” by Peter Isler. His extensive network of marine vendors attests to his commitment to supporting clients at every stage of their maritime endeavors. Whether found on Harbor Island in San Diego, at Safe Harbor Sun Road Marina, or out on the water assisting clients, Mike Dorgan remains a central figure in the local yachting community, dedicated to delivering the dream, one boat at a time. Mike can be found at the San Diego office located at 955 Harbor Island Drive #160 or can be reached via email at mikedorgan@marinesc.com
Brendan Dooney
Professional Yacht Broker
San Diego
brendan@marinesc.com
Bio
Brendan Dooney
Professional Yacht Broker
San Diego
Having grown up boating in New Jersey’s weather shortened season, coming to Southern California seemed like landing in “Paradise.” How great is it to be able to go boating 12 months out of the year! Brendan spent more than the last 20 years spreading his enthusiasm for boating to people at the largest new boat dealership on the West Coast and continues now to provide an even greater level of Customer Satisfaction with his professional partners at Marine Servicenter. Earning trust and building relationships over the years in our small community of boaters remains Brendan’s mission. Helping people enjoy their boats turns prospects into friends and repeat buyers. Give Brendan a chance to help you with your boating dreams today. Brendan can be found at the San Diego office located at 955 Harbor Island Drive #160 or can be reached via email at brendan@marinesc.com.
Tom Nuxoll
Professional Yacht Broker
San Diego
tomn@marinesc.com
Bio
Tom Nuxoll
Professional Yacht Broker
San Diego
Over the years many of my clients have become repeat customers doing multiple transactions through me. Repeat business doesn’t come easy in any industry but my goal made many years ago was to always treat people the way I want to be treated. Having been a yacht broker and/or salesman for both new and used yachts in Southern California since 1988, I understand what you are looking for: trust, integrity and candor. Simple core values. First and foremost you need someone who is looking out for your best interest. Even if you never do business with us, my hope is that you would still refer your family and friends. I have sold in excess of 1200 new and brokerage boats so I have the experience that will get the job done right. Yes, many deals go smoothly! However, in every transaction there can be a critical time when the experience level of your broker may become apparent and at that point you will be grateful for choosing Marine Servicenter Tom can be found at the San Diego office located at 955 Harbor Island Drive #160 or can be reached via email at tomn@marinesc.com.
Sales Team – Los Angeles
Bradley Avery
Professional Yacht Broker
Los Angeles
bradley@marinesc.com
Bio
Bradley Avery
Professional Yacht Broker
Los Angeles
bradley@marinesc.com
Hailing from Alaska, Bradley grew up around boats, beginning with lakes and then on Prince William Sound where the family had a 30’ Californian, The Great Escape. Years later, he experienced those same waters aboard the 53’ Delta Marine, Purse Seiner, F/V Alaskan Spirit, fishing for salmon out of Valdez. An obsession with waterskiing, despite the cold waters of Alaska, entailed many hours on and behind an assortment of water ski boats, over the years. This passion continued post college and after a short stint of competition skiing, in Florida, he joined Sea World of Texas, performing in water ski shows there. An offer to perform at a show in Germany allowed him to explore Europe. It was in Portofino, Italy, where he learned that many yachts cross the Atlantic to get to the warmer climes of the Caribbean, at the end of the Mediterranean Summer. He decided to forgo his plane ticket home and joined a classic 12 meter, Seven Seas, racing in the late summer classic series, held in various ports around the Med. After that he joined the ketch, Oceana, a 71’ Ocean, to sail across the Atlantic, to Antigua. That crossing gave Bradley the true taste of blue water sailing and he spent the next few years racing and delivering boats around the world. A trip across the Pacific allowed him to discover the beauty of New Zealand, where he jumped ship and for the next 17 years made the mountain town of Queenstown, his home. Bradley now lives in Los Angeles, close to Marina del Rey, where he and his wife, Kismet, enjoy exploring Santa Monica Bay, on Saida, a Jeanneau 349, that they sailed down from San Francisco together, Bradley’s favorite passage of all. Beyond the water, Bradley’s experience as the Executive Producer/Owner of one of the top international service production companies, in New Zealand and as a Commercial Real Estate Broker in Los Angeles, allows him to negotiate the process of buying and selling yachts seamlessly. Bradley can be found at the Marina Del Rey office located at 4655 Admiralty Way Suite 208, Marina del Rey, CA 90292 or can be reached via email at bradley@marinesc.com.
Conner Skewes
Professional Yacht Broker
Bay Area
conner@marinesc.com
Bio
Conner Skewes
Professional Yacht Broker
Bay Area
conner@marinesc.com
Conner learned to sail in the youth sailing program at San Diego Yacht Club. Ever since, he has been passionate about the water, and based his life around boating.
Between working as a deckhand, sailing with friends, and learning to be a marine engineer on large ships at California Maritime Academy, Conner has years of boating experience at the age of 21. Having been around the maritime industry his whole life, Conner decided to base his career around it, going to school for marine engineering, all the while bringing more people into the maritime industry.
Service Team – Seattle & San Diego
Mike Van Tuyl
Service Manager
San Diego
mike@marinesc.com
Bio
Mike Van Tuyl
Service Manager
San Diego
Mike is an avid sailor with over forty years of sailing experience up and down the Pacific coast from Canada to Mexico, along with sailing to Hawaii and around the Caribbean. Mike has 27 years of experience commissioning and servicing Jeanneau sailboats along with American and other European-built sailboat and powerboat lines. He has built and managed service departments in San Diego, Marina Del Rey, and Alameda, CA. He has also personally delivered new Jeanneau yachts to customers directly in France.
When a new yacht is delivered to the customer, Mike takes pride in walking the customers through their new product and invites them into his boating family for the entire time they have their boat. Once the new customer is introduced to Mike, they get his personal phone number, and he will answer each and every question founded on his extensive experience in the industry. If Mike does not have the answer he will find it promptly for the customer.
Mike was formally educated as a civil engineer and held a master electrician license and trained his employees ABYC and NMEA practice guidelines for the marine industry. His philosophy is to educate and create a team workplace in which employees come to work and learn engineering and electrical while enjoying work in a recreational atmosphere.
Mike believes in a team management approach utilizing the strengths of each person. He encourages a fun uplifting approach with a feeling of family showing the customer how to enjoy their investment in real-life activities in which his service team also participates in. Mike can be found at the San Diego office located at 955 Harbor Island Drive #160 or can be reached via email at mike@marinesc.com.
Alexander Berns
Service Technician
San Diego
alex@marinesc.com
Bio
Alexander Berns
Service Technician
San Diego
Alexander is from Seattle, Washington, and is currently a student at San Diego State University, studying for his Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing. Alexander grew up sailing in the Pacific Northwest, San Juans, Gulf Islands, and Desolation Sound. His passion for the ocean is broad with interests and experience in sailing, boating, fishing, scuba diving, surfing, and wakeboarding. These hobbies have allowed Alexander to always stay connected to the water. Alex can be found at our San Diego office located at 955 Harbor Island Drive #160 or can be reached via email at alex@marinesc.com.
David Kelly
Service Manager
Seattle
david@marinesc.com
Bio
David Kelly
Service Manager – Pacific North West
Seattle
David comes to us from a long established charter and training company in Australia, where he managed maintenance along with being a charter skipper and sailing instructor.
David started sailing in 1985 when his flying hobby was becoming too expensive. He has done extensive sailing and power boat training under various Australian and UK schemes. He is an RYA Offshore Yachtmaster and Cruising Instructor as well as holding Australian AMSA certifications as Master up to 24 meters and engineer up to 750kW.
He has had to sell his Jeanneau 349 to make his move to Seattle from Sydney and because his handicap was making it harder to win. David is a member of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, which runs the Sydney to Hobart and the RAN Sailing Association. He regularly raced and had series podiums in both these clubs’ races.
David has done a number of 500+ nm deliveries in Australia as well as instructing many coastal training passages. He has sailed and/or raced in Sydney, The Whitsundays, Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai. David can be found at the Seattle office located at 2442 Westlake Ave N. or can be reached via email at david@marinesc.com.
Danny Gladner
Service Manager
Seattle
danny@marinesc.com
Bio
Danny Gladner
Service Manager – Pacific NorthWest
Seattle
Danny is originally from Redmond, Washington and now lives in Seattle, Washington. From the age of two, Danny has been sailing Jeanneau boats throughout the Pacific Northwest and, more recently, in Spain and Italy. A trusted Trimmer on his father’s boat, he has set his sights on becoming one of the best Skippers in the Sound. With five years of management and maintenance experience in the boating industry, and many more not professionally, Danny brings a deep understanding of both the technical and lifestyle aspects of yachting. When he’s not helping clients maintain their vessel to perfection, he enjoys surfing on Lake Washington or fishing and crabbing in the Puget Sound. Danny can be found at the Seattle office located at 2442 Westlake Ave N. or can be reached via email at danny@marinesc.com