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Executive Bios

Gary Oviatt
President and Owner

Gary Oviatt is President and owner of Oviatt Marine and has been a yacht broker since 1970. In addition to brokerage he has been involved in the sale and construction of nearly 100 new yachts from 44 to 118 feet.

Gary has been licensed in Florida and California and has served as a director for the Florida Yacht Brokers Association. His yachting career also includes owning and operating a marina and managing several others.

He is responsible for the conception and construction of the current ALASKAN and SPIRATA line of yachts which are exclusively an intellectual and proprietary product of Oviatt Marine. Gary graduated from Syracuse University and did graduate work in Advertising at the prestigious Newhouse Communications Center. He has served in the US Marine Corps and held a USCG 100 Ton Ocean Operators License.

Julianne “Jewels” Hayes
General Manager

Jewel’s first yachting job was on a boat that had 14 crew members.  “Mainly I took the job out of curiosity,” said Jewels.  “A friend of mine said they were looking for crew and I had never been on a boat that could even sleep 14 people total much less just the crew.  It was a real eye opening experience.”

Crewing and cruising the world soon became Jewel’s life, but she knew sooner or later she would have to get back to a land based existence.  “When it got to the point where my thimble collection was dwarfing my crew quarters I realized I had to get back to living in a house,” explained Jewels.

Although she was looking for a professional position, Jewels settled for OMI when she learned there was no background check or dress code and you could use your real name in correspondence with clients.

When she’s not riding roughshod over the sales staff for failing to generate new Alaskan yacht sales every 38 minutes, Jewels can be found bicycling in charity fundraisers, organizing social events and concentrating on her daily horoscope.

“I really enjoy working with new Alaskan clients from the original drawings through the final construction and delivery of their new yachts,” said Jewels.  “It’s fun to watch them sail off after their bon voyage parties, knowing we’ll be seeing them again at a boat show or two and they’ll fill us in on all their adventures.”

Louis Dvorak
Sales Executive/Vice President in Charge of Certain Things

Louis’ story is not one of being raised in a yachting tradition or family; he wasn’t conceived during a trans-Atlantic passage, doesn’t claim to have salt water in his veins and doesn’t enjoy a nautical nickname.

His is a modest success story of a humble kid from the Midwest who clawed his way to south Florida to become something he hadn’t even heard of back home – a yacht broker. 

As a matter of fact, the only reason he went to work for Gary Oviatt back in l988 was because, “It was the first job I had been offered at the time that didn’t involve working evenings or holidays and wearing a name tag.”

With those assurances in place, Louis went about his new found profession with a passion and soon discovered he had a gift for finding the right boats for the right clients.

“It’s all about the client,” explained Louis, “they have a purpose in mind for their yacht. Whether it’s family time together, corporate entertaining, diving, fishing or just a place to get away and regroup.  Everybody has a dream – if you can ascertain the “why” the rest is easy.”

Louis, his wife Nancy and their son Cameron, enjoy living and playing in south Florida and often travel together to out of town boat shows.

“The best part about my job is I get to constantly meet new people and make new friends,” said Louis.  “Plus, as I mentioned earlier, I don’t have to wear a name tag except at boat shows.”

Jim Henson
Broker/Vice President of Transportation

Jim has been boating throughout North America since the earth cooled, and has both the experience and appearance to prove it.  If you want to get anywhere by water (and we mean anywhere), Jim will get you there – “Never missed a port, never lost a crew member,” Jim likes to say by way of confirmation of his boat handling skills.

Having said that, it’s important to know that Jim grew up in Texas where the women still wear Tiffany spurs on their deck shoes and the men still live in the financial cycle of spot oil prices.  One year you’re boating, the next, “not so much”.

But Jim’s energy and enthusiasm for yachting has never waned.  He originally started in the OMI Seattle office and then one day, while reading an industry magazine, came to the realization that the big boats were in Ft. Lauderdale.  So he packed up the truck and moved to Lauderdale – Ft. Lauderdale that is – swimming pools, movie stars!

Jim quickly established himself and his unique style as a completely new cottage industry here in town.  Once you meet Jim you’ll realize how easy it is to get “Hensonated” – his easy southern charm and carefree attitude will transfer you back to a gentler time, especially if you’re riding in the “Jimozine”.

“I’ve always loved working with people who share my interest and love in boating,” said Jim.  “When I’m on the water away from the daily bump and grind, it’s the greatest feeling in the world and I really love helping other people experience that feeling of freedom and adventure.”

Robert Davis
Broker/Vice President Culinary Delights

Growing up on the Jersey Shore, Robert developed his people skills during the summer months providing local knowledge and other valuable services to the many confused young women from Camden, Trenton, Mount Holly and who knows where.

“Where I grew up it was important to have a small boat to run around in the summer,” explained Robert.  “However, in order to afford my boat I had to learn how to clean, repair and maintain larger yachts for owners who would pay good money to a young man with a humanitarian mission.”

As the years went by, Robert noticed that there were other people around the docks who made more money than he and didn’t get all dirty and smelly doing their jobs.

“I discovered they were called yacht brokers,” said Robert, “and they would come on board and drink and socialize with the owner while I was sweating and cussing putting in a new water pump.  Obviously, seeing this, I was interested in moving up the food chain.”

Robert moved up quickly and soon moved down to Florida to join the big leagues.  “Having remained unencumbered by skills and education, I realized if I wanted to really get to the top of my game as a yacht broker I would have to go where the big boats are – South Florida!”      

Robert came to OMI after a few years of South Florida experience and soon established himself as a very successful and enthusiastic member of the team with a wicked knack for outdoor grilling .

“It’s great to be able to wake up every day and be glad to go the office,” explained Robert.  “We have a good time and our clients are always wearing their “fun” hats when they come to talk boats and boating.  I really can’t imagine myself doing anything else.”

Robert, his wife Kristen and their two sons, Brandon and Tyler, live and play on the water – enjoying annual boating trips to the Bahamas and the Keys to fish and play.

Skip Smith

Skip Smith spent his early years in Michigan where he earned his nickname as Skipper for the time spent in the family boat. After graduation and a tour in the Navy, he came to Fort Lauderdale to pursue the sunshine and a place in the marine industry. Over the past 36 years Skip has acted as Sales Manager/General Manager of engine and generator sales/repair companies dealing with all phases of boat repair and refit and at one point was owner/operator of his own marine company. Skip has been very active in the Marine Industry Association and served for six years as a Director. He and his wife of 38 years share his love of classic cars and motorcycles. He brings to the table years of knowledge of all phases of boat systems and customer relations.  Skip's years in the marine industry, along with his honesty, attention to details and genuine desire to help his clients experience a pleasant, enjoyable and problem free purchase adds another great member to the Oviatt team.