Meet the Offshore West Team
(left to right upper) Scooter Gill, Larry Bjornson, Chris Murray
(left to right lower) Jose Erazo, John Olson, Diane Carpenter, Rojo Lomeli
(Florida office staff not shown in group photo: Rich Tighe & Bobby Davis)

I was brought into Offshore Yachts by the company founders, Richard and Robert Hunt, in 1992. I quickly learned why the Hunts were so respected in the industry. At the business office in Costa Mesa, I learned as much I could under their guidance, working in accounting, billing, project costing, parts procurement, commissioning, and assisting with client orders.

After less than two years in Costa Mesa, I was sent to the Newport Beach sales office (our current location) to become involved in what I truly enjoy—selling. This was a wonderful opportunity and working with yachting novices and old salts on a daily basis really gave me the bug. As I gained experience, Offshore Yachts gave me the task of locating a dealer on the East coast to service the growing demand for Offshores. In 1995, a new dealer was established in Ft. Lauderdale. This expansion increased demand even further and presented us with the tremendous challenge of handling both the wholesale and retail sides of the business here in Newport.

With the company expanding rapidly, I was offered the opportunity to become a dealer here in Newport Beach, and that was the beginning of Offshore West, Inc. (OWI). In 2009, OWI became the worldwide dealer for Offshore Yachts (excepting Australia) and opened a new office in the Ft. Lauderdale area (Dania Beach). As President of OWI, my goal has always been to provide our clients the finest product and service in the industry and a family environment where they always feel welcome. I am confident that our experienced staff can handle any client needs with a level of knowledge, integrity, and service that will exceed their expectations. I am hopeful that you will give us an opportunity to assist you in your search for the yacht of your dreams.

Please call me at (949) 673-5401 or e-mail me at john@offshorewest.com whenever you need assistance.

Sincerely, John Olson

Chris Murray
Sales Associate (Newport Beach, CA)

Thank you for taking the time to look through our web site and consider Offshore West in your search for a new yacht. I look forward to assisting you in your search for the yacht of your dreams.

Growing up in Newport Beach has given me the opportunity of being a part of the boating lifestyle from my earliest days. I have fond memories of family cruises to Moonstone on the island of Catalina and of long trips south to Cabo on our 53' Hatteras "Charro." This is where I fell in love with the ocean and world of boats.

It has been a pleasure and honor to represent one of the finest yacht lines available today—Offshore Yachts—as well as having had the opportunity over the years to help many people find their "perfect" yacht in the brokerage market. If you are looking for a long range coastal cruiser like an Offshore Yacht, please allow me to help you.

For further references please call me at (949) 673-5401 or e-mail chris@offshorewest.com.

James "Scooter" Gill
Sales Associate (Newport Beach, CA)

After 28 years as a captain of both commercial vessels and private yachts, my personal ship has come to rest. And what a great place to drop anchor, here with the group at Offshore West. After working with owner John Olson on a variety of professional projects over the years, I was asked to come on board in a full time capacity. Now, I am strongly committed to transferring the benefits of my nautical experience to the brokerage side of the industry. Looking back on over 2,100 days at sea and 168,000 miles under way, the friends and good times in yachting are many and the bad weather days are soon forgotten. Growing up in Newport Beach and living here with my lovely wife of fifteen years, Susie, has truly been a blessing. I look forward to seeing all of our loyal owners and future friends in the office and under way in the coming years.

If you have questions or cruising ideas you would like to share, please feel free to call or email.
949-673-5401 or scooter@offshorewest.com

Captain James “Scooter” Gill

Geir Ingolfsrud
Sales Associate (Dania Beach, FL)

I suppose I’m not your average sales representative.

I could even be described as “colorful”, even in an industry that has a lot of colorful characters. I’m an avid swimmer, having won the U.S. National 800-meter Long Course Championship in my age group in 2004. I’m also an experienced yacht captain, holding an International Yacht Masters Certificate with Ocean Endorsement (this allows me to captain any yacht up to 200 tons, anywhere).

In fact, it was in this capacity that I began my yacht industry career, joining Hal Jones & Co. many years ago. After a time spent commissioning and delivery yachts, I got my license and started selling yachts. Back then, Hal Jones & Co was selling Offshore yachts, and as I’ve always been happy to say, I was immensely impressed with Offshore quality.

My knowledge of real-world seamanship makes me well qualified to advise clients who are considering a yacht purchase. I’ve made several transatlantic crossings, as well as sailing my own 22-foot sailboat solo from Norway (my home country) to the Mediterranean.

After studying aircraft engineering in college, I ended up being drawn to the sea. Some of my fondest memories are of captaining the S.Y. Maybe, an 85-foot wooden sailboat in the Mediterranean. This classic yacht is well-known in Europe going back to the 1930s.

My travels have carried me to at least 51 countries. My varied career has included working on an oil supply ship off the west coast of Africa, Caribbean charter captain, production superintendent for Toyota in Durban, South Africa, and much more. Today, I live in Ft. Lauderdale with my wife, Marva. These days, for relaxation, I enjoy riding my Honda VFR 800 sport bike. And, I am very pleased to again be selling Offshores.

Please call me at (954) 922-2662 or e-mail me at geir@offshorewest.com whenever you need assistance.

Diane Carpenter
Office Manager (Newport Beach, CA)

I was born and raised in Anaheim Hills. My daughter Caitlin is my pride and joy. She was nine years old in July of 2009. She is vivacious and showing signs of her own strong spirit. Previously, I was with the Four Seasons Hotel Newport Beach for 13 years, where I achieved the President's Club, the company's highest award for Sales Managers. Hobbies—collecting stamps on my passport, art, history, and literature. Greatest joys are family and friends! And, I have found the world of yachting to be wondefully facinating. Please call me at (949) 673-5401 or e-mail me at diane@offshorewest.com whenever you need assistance.

Larry Bjornson
Marketing

Growing up in Tustin, I spent much of my youth on the beaches of Newport. In more recent years, I have done a fair bit of cruising with friends on an Offshore 48’, and later on a 54’. This was my initial point of contact with Offshore West and eventually led to my current employment.

I have a masters degree in administration from the University of California at Riverside. In my varied career, I have been a broker at Merrill Lynch and a sales representative for Bristol Myers and McNeil Pharmaceutical. Prior to my current employment with Offshore West, I was self-employed doing web design, print graphics, and general marketing.

I am an avid reader, especially of history, and have done a substantial amount of writing, both professionally and for my own interests, self publishing several books (two of which are currently available through Amazon).

I consider myself to be particularly fortunate to be associated with Offshore West. This is a terrific group of people with a great product. Please call me at (949) 673-5401 or e-mail me at larry@offshorewest.com whenever you need assistance.

Rojo Lomeli
Service Manager

When you purchase a yacht through Offshore West, you will be fortunate to have that yacht pass through the extraordinarily capable and meticulous hands of Rojo Lomeli, our service and commissioning manager. After sixteen hardworking years in the business, there is little that Rojo doesn't know about keeping boats seaworthy and performing beyond their owner's expectations. "My goal," Rojo has said, "is to prepare each boat for many, many years of owner enjoyment. I also invite every new owner to walk through their boat with me personally until they are completely comfortable with the function and condition of their new yacht."

Rojo lives in Santa Ana with his wife Emma, two children Isaac and Linda, and the small but mighty family dog, Rosita.

One additional note—although Rojo was born on the same day and in the same year as Offshore West president John Olson, John states emphatically that this coincidence has had nothing to do with Rojo's great success and popularity at Offshore West.