Meet Our Newest Board Members

Brendan O’Shannassy

Where are you originally from?  Fremantle, Western Australia

How did you get your start in the yachting industry?  1987 America’s Cup in Fremantle – tender driver / table wiper. It then took 13yrs of Naval service, commercial shipping, and offshore racing to then return to the community I first discovered as a school leaver.

What motivates you? Professionally, leading the team to deliver on the promise of the yachting experience.  Thinking of an idea that in the normal context is just “too out there” and then making it part of the yachting day!  Seeing the growth of my crews that over decades move from new entrants to professionals and leaders.

Tell me about a project or accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career. My small part in implementing the vision of an exceptional yacht owner in the construction and operation of VAVA II.  The crew culture set in construction continues to make this yacht standout as one of the icons of its generation.

What is your favourite boat show & why? METS – there is an intention from visitors and stands alike.  Professional and passionate people representing their goods and services. Long and technical conversation where the speaker and the listener focus on each other and not the passing foot traffic.

Where is your favourite place to be? Palau, Micronesia.  Yes, the UNESCO listed Rock Islands are beautiful, but it is the gentle pace of the people and peace that masks the torrid WW II fighting that occurred there. In a way the local culture and nature have overtaken this brutal period and returned the islands to their previous self.

Why did you decide to rejoin the  ISS board? Yachting needs cohesive representation.  ISS represents a chance to rise above linear commercial interests and speak to the challenges of growing from a ‘cottage industry’ to a globally important employer and contributor to economies.  There is a need for the yacht community to speak as one with important topics such as; mental health / crew welfare, environmental contribution and the working with transparent and honest business practices.

Christina Norris

Where are you originally from? Originally from Sao Paulo Brazil

How did you get your start in the yachting industry? As Boat Yard Manager building 45’ Judel & Vrolijck Sail Boats and drawing the shop drawings for the interior.

What motivates you? Passion for Sailing, Water and Nature and working with all the high skilled and talented people in the industry

Tell me about a project or accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career. The explorer sailboat: “Pangea” ,105’; the Mercedes Benz/ Pangaea Expedition project by Mike Horn. The challenge in only using eco-friendly materials.

What is your favorite boat show & why? My favorite Boat Show Is the Newport Boat Show, It has the feel of what yachting is all about.

Where is your favorite place to be? Holland Michigan the great lakes Area

Why did you decide to (re)join the  ISS board? I am always surrounded in beauty and that is when every one can be their true self.

David Good

Where are you originally from?  Born in Sydney and grew up in Perth, Rockhampton, finishing school in Brisbane, so somewhat of a nomadic childhood.

How did you get your start in the yachting industry? When I left the Army, I worked at the Cairns Port Authority who had the largest superyacht marina in Australia and three shipyards as tenants who catered for superyachts.

What motivates you? Efficiency, doing things smarter not harder

Tell me about a project or accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career. The Special Recreational Vessel Act 2019, Australia’s foreign superyacht charter laws.  Although many people have been involved over almost 20 years, I was fortunate enough to be in this role when it was passed and celebrated enough for everyone involved (a few times over).

What is your favorite boat show & why? METSTRADE – 3 day show so very efficient and its Amsterdam with Christmas decorations, a great way to finish the year.

Where is your favorite place to be? At Whale Beach, Sydney with a new ground swell and slight offshore breeze

Why did you decide to join the ISS board? I want to contribute and I truly believe in working collaboratively. ISS is a great way to grow the international industry which benefits all of us fortunate to work within it.

Ed Roberts
Where are you originally from? I was born in Philadelphia, PA USA, but spent most of my younger years growing up in southern New Jersey.

How did you get your start in the yachting industry? I was pursuing in a Master’s Degree in Architecture at the Rhode Island School of Design when I went sailing one weekend.  Within 6 months I had quit my job, sold my house and moved to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina to start a charter sailing business.

Tell me about a project or accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career. I am fortunate enough to have had a fruitful career in the industry.  I recall fondly my role in developing the EASTBAY product line, of bringing in the COMANCHE project into the Hodgdon facility but most fondly probably is my role in helping to develop the custom luxury superyacht tender market.  When we introduced the first luxury tenders at Hodgdon the market was still dominated by production adaptations.  Hodgdon was a leader in introducing superyacht quality tenders to the marketplace.

What is your favorite boat show & why? My favorite show is one where the manufacturer sets up a private show.  It is the most respectful of people’s time.  As for commercial shows, it would be Monaco, hands down.  It is well run, and does the best job of attracting guests that are there to actually see what you have to offer.  Too many shows have become little more than carnivals where the gate is the promoters single biggest focus.

Where is your favorite place to be? On a sailboat under sail.

Why did you decide to rejoin the ISS board? I have been fortunate to have made a career in the industry, the latter part of my career in the superyacht sector.  The ISS has proven to be an important catalyst in promoting the professionalism and integrity of the industry which are values I have tried to abide by and promote in my career.   Serving on the board is an opportunity to help promote that important work.

Kristina Agustin

Where are you originally from? I am originally from the Central Coast, NSW, Australia, and have returned full circle 20 years later, having spent years at sea and calling the US- Maine and Florida- home for the last decade.

How did you get your start in the yachting industry? I first discovered yachting through bleary eyes at the dawn having arrived at the docks in Palma de Mallorca on an overnight ferry from Barcelona in June 2006. I had never seen so many yachts in one place and had no knowledge that yachts that size even existed. I was given my first role as a sole stewardess on a 94′ charter sailing yacht and trained as part of a four-crew team by the captain and chef; learning to sail, throw lines and be responsible for night watches around Sicily and Italy. I recall how rewarding the experience was in running errands for the chef onshore in the small, traditional towns in Sicily. From these humble beginnings I have been privileged to engage with some of the largest yacht builds, operators, representatives and supporting services in the world, for which I am incredibly grateful.

What motivates you? I am most energized when called upon to be resourceful in breaking down complex ideas across a broad spectrum of topics, and am in a position to share my optimism to positively influence and lead others. I thrive in dynamic environments with high expectations and healthy challenges. This drive has found me throughout my adult life in service and client-focused roles.
Tell me about a project or accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career. Between 2008 and 2009 I tore myself away from the sea to finish my law degree with distinction in maritime law & international trade, environmental law, intellectual property and indigenous law. It crushed me to separate from yachting for that period having started my seafaring career with much passion, but it was most significant as it set me apart and on a new trajectory with critical skills to further my progression into shoreside yacht operations management and business relations.

What is your favorite boat show & why? The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is close to my heart as an event that naturally brings together many of our industry. As a resident of Fort Lauderdale for many years, it has been favorite on my calendar that has facilitated connecting with many colleagues and crew annually in the weeks before and after the show as they pass through town.

Where is your favorite place to be? Standing in the Australian bush where it borders the ocean, smelling the salt and Eucalyptus, listening to the bellbirds and the ocean crashing on the sandstone headlands.

Why did you decide to (re)join the ISS board? Striving for excellence is easier when associated with others who want to lift you up and achieve alongside you. Serving on the Board of the ISS has been a privilege of connection as well as an opportunity to impact positively on the industry and the environment with a collective voice. I am so excited and appreciative for the opportunity to contribute over the next three years in this role.

Lance Sheppard

Where are you originally from? Auckland New Zealand

How did you get your start in the yachting industry? Being a Kiwi I sailed most of my life. In 1987 I was in England sailing in offshore races. I was about to embark on a career as a Foreign Exchange dealer but unfortunately a week before I was supposed to start came the October 1987 stock market crash. Without a  job any more I ran away to Greece and skippered a  flotilla for a year before joining a 107’ Schooner in Antibes and my 15 year Superyacht career began.

What motivates you? My family and the satisfaction of getting a job well done.

Tell me about a project or accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career. Establishing and leading a multi Governmental and private sector task force to work with all stake holders to close down an New Zealand air force base and develop it into a deep water Superyacht marine precinct close to Auckland city with the rest of the land becoming one of New Zealand’s housing and commercial developments.

What is your favorite boat show & why? Monaco Boat Show. The show is always impressive and the people that attend it are there to do business, either buying or selling. A good Rose at the end of the day also helps.

Where is your favorite place to be? Right now. New Zealand ☺

Why did you decide to (re)join the  ISS board? It is always great to be surrounded by people who are driven to make positive changes. Having served on the board from 2004 – 2010 and again from 2019 the change I have seen that the ISS has brought about within the industry has been impressive and highlights the commitment of the Board and members to ensure every year our industry becomes stronger and more sustainable.

Rafeal Cervantes Mataix

Where are you originally from? I was born and raised in Mexico City

How did you get your start in the yachting industry? I sailed small boats from an early age, my background before yachting is in diving, both commercial diving in the oil rigs of the gulf of Mexico and later sports diving and Underwater filmmaking and photography. I was first hired on a yacht as a dive instructor for a long weekend…I stayed on that boat for nine and a half years.

What motivates you? Being at sea is one of my passions and my happy  place. With regard to yachting, teaching and mentoring have always been one of the more gratifying things for me, also the challenge of running the perfect operation for the owners or charter guests.

Tell me about a project or accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career. 

Hmm this is a tough one, I am very proud of being one of the first captain to go through the master unlimited capstone program with the Marshall Islands. I was also very fortunate to get the Master unlimited ACREW award in 2018

What is your favorite boat show & why? Definitely Monaco, For many reasons, but very serious yachts and companies present, a bit more formal than other shows, yet great events and a place where I do see many friends and acquaintances

Where is your favorite place to be? French Polynesia

Why did you decide to join the  ISS board? I have been part of the captains committee for some time and we have managed to get quite a few things accomplished, I believe that having an active mariner in the board, can be beneficial as I have constant hands on experience by virtue of operating a large yacht.

Steven Bates

Where are you originally from? Auckland, New Zealand

How did you get your start in the yachting industry? Being in the right place at the right time (ie. in a bar late at night – Mad Mongoose, Antigua) secured a deckhand job onboard a Perini Navi Charter yacht

What motivates you? From a work point of view, being actively involved in an exciting and evolving industry, which Superyacht industry certainly is.

Tell me about a project or accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career. 

Early in my career working onboard motor yachts, I was involved in a major 3 month refit/rebuild project onboard a 75m yacht, which was a fundamental transformation of this iconic motor yacht. It was amazing at what can be achieved in a short period of time through strong project management and a dedicated shipyard team. As I became more senior in my roles, I always set this as the benchmark of what can be achieved with the right team and shared focus.

What is your favorite boat show & why?

Would have to be Monaco, besides the great location and setting, it has a great attendance from crew and industry peers.

Where is your favorite place to be? Out on the water with family and friends

Why did you decide to join the  ISS board?To give something back to the superyacht community and to have a positive influence and support, if even in a tiny way, the continual growth and maturing of this industry.

Tony Browne

Where are you originally from? Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.

How did you get your start in the yachting industry?  I grew up weekending on my parents boat. We also moved to an Island off Tasmania in my early teens so boating was an everyday occurrence whether I wanted it or not! This led to a couple of years volunteering as crew on a sail training vessel in Tasmania on my weekends and during holidays in my early 20’s. In 1997 I secured my first professional yachting job as deckhand on a circumnavigating adventure holiday Tall Ship.

What motivates you? I like to be challenged, and to also help overcome challenges as part of a wider team with innovation, lateral thinking, and problem solving.

Tell me about a project or accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career. Porto Montenegro and its economic impact on the local region. Over the last 14 years I have had the good fortune to be part of the team developing a brand new world class marina. As a result, I have been able to witness the subtle transformation over time of a neglected seaside industrial town into a beautiful tourist destination and the resulting significant economic growth and employment opportunities that have now become available for the local Montenegrins.

What is your favorite boat show & why? Tough question, this year I would say any that can actually be attended in person! In a normal year, I don’t think there is a favorite for me. They are all strategically different and important in terms of customers and clients. But at the same time, each show is a great opportunity to catch up with our industry colleagues across different sectors, and geographical regions.

Where is your favorite place to be? With my wife and children, on our boat, cruising Montenegro and the Croatian Islands.

Why did you decide to join the  ISS board? To try and give back in a small way by contributing to the continued growth of our industry. I also believe ongoing communication across all sectors of our industry is important, and with my background in yachting and marina’s, and as the current chairman of the board of the Global Marina Institute, I hope I am well placed to assist in this endeavor.