Leading Executives in Charter Fishing
Tim Ekstrom
Co-owner & Captain. , Royal Star Sportfishing (San Diego, CA)
Co-owner and long-range captain known for pioneering, safety-focused, multi‑day ‘cow tuna’ expeditions from San Diego.
Steven N. Forsberg Jr.
Captain, Viking Fivestar; Family Co‑owner. , Viking Fleet (Montauk, NY)
Fourth‑generation leader at one of the East Coast’s largest party/charter fleets; runs the Viking Fivestar and advances offshore operations.
Ken Franke
President. , Sportfishing Association of California (SAC)
Leads California’s charter fleet advocacy (since 2009) on access, cross‑border tourism, and emissions policy.
Jim Green
President (DCBA) and President (CFA). , Destin Charter Boat Association; Charter Fisherman’s Association
Heads Destin’s DCBA and the national CFA, representing the Gulf’s for‑hire fleet; appointed to federal advisory panels on for‑hire data and fisheries.
Aliyar Hajinabi
Owner & Captain. , Polaris Supreme Sportfishing (San Diego, CA)
Owner/captain of the renowned Polaris Supreme, a flagship in San Diego’s long‑range fleet.
Dylan Hubbard
Vice President & Co‑owner; President, Florida Guides Association. , Hubbard’s Marina (Madeira Beach, FL)
Fourth‑generation co‑owner credited with growing one of America’s best‑known charter fleets and leading Florida Guides Association.
Doug Hughes
Founder & CEO. , FishAnywhere (Orlando, FL)
Founder of a large U.S.-based online marketplace for booking fishing guides and charters; expanded via national partnerships.
Gary Jarvis
Executive Director (also Treasurer). , Charter Fisherman’s Association (Gulf of Mexico)
Founding leader who now serves CFA as executive director; longtime charter captain and former Destin mayor shaping Gulf for‑hire policy.
Donna Kalez
Co‑owner & General Manager; Vice President, SAC. , Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching (Dana Point, CA)
Second‑generation co‑owner/GM who helped earn Dana Point ‘Whale Heritage Site’ status; active SAC vice president.
Frank LoPreste
Owner & Captain. , Royal Polaris Sportfishing (San Diego, CA)
Icon of long‑range sportfishing; co‑owner/captain of the Royal Polaris, credited with innovations like kite fishing in San Diego’s fleet.
Susan Mason‑Yadav
Executive Director. , National Association of Charterboat Operators (NACO)
Runs the primary U.S. trade association for charterboat owners/operators, coordinating compliance resources and national advocacy.
Jonathan Newar
Co‑founder & CEO. , Captain Experiences (Austin, TX)
Co‑founded one of the fastest‑growing U.S. platforms to book vetted fishing and hunting guides; raised venture backing and scaled nationwide.
Bryan Petro
Chief Executive Officer. , Getmyboat (Menlo Park, CA)
Leads the world’s largest boat‑rental and captained charter marketplace after a 2025 CEO transition; supports thousands of charter operators globally.
Vukan Simic
Founder & CEO. , FishingBooker (Global)
Founder of the world’s largest dedicated fishing‑charter booking marketplace, connecting anglers and captains across 100+ countries.
Nick Stanczyk
Co‑owner; Offshore Captain. , Bud N’ Mary’s Marina (Islamorada, FL)
Swordfish specialist and media‑savvy offshore captain who, with brother Rick, has taken on ownership roles at the storied marina.
Rick Stanczyk
Co‑owner; Backcountry/Tarpon Guide. , Bud N’ Mary’s Marina / Islamorada Tarpon (Islamorada, FL)
Backcountry and tarpon authority who built a multi‑guide tarpon program and modernized digital marketing for the Keys’ most famous marina.
Art Taylor
Owner & Captain. , Searcher Sportfishing (San Diego, CA)
Owner/captain of the Searcher; long‑range educator and conservation voice hosting multi‑day trips out of Fisherman’s Landing.
Frank Ursitti
President & Managing Partner. , H&M Landing / United Sportfishers of San Diego (San Diego, CA)
Managing partner/president guiding the West Coast’s largest, most diversified charter fleet; expanded youth education and whale‑watch programs.
John Yamate
General Manager & Owner. , Seaforth Sportfishing (San Diego, CA)
Longtime GM/owner helping operate one of San Diego’s busiest landings and co‑owner of long‑range assets; key connector in the fleet.
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