About Us

Hank Hampton

Hank worked many years in Corporate America. Before he moved to the islands, he was Director of Franchise Operations for Red Robin Restaurants. He managed 43 restaurants through out the US and Canada and was responsible for financials, human resources, corporate vision and corporate compliance. He had over 4000 employees under his watch. Hank had a vision to be an entrepreneur and loved the water. He cashed out his stock, bought a 50’ boat and started one of the most successful charter companies in the Virgin Islands. He has been featured in USA Today, multiple All at Sea Magazine publications, the Virgin Islands Newspaper and most recently in the US Virgin Islands Destinations Magazine.

Steve Schlosser

After earning his Masters Degree from the University of Denver, Steve specialized in and managed numerous small businesses. He spent 13 years in the Financial Industry as a partner in a firm managing 100 million dollars. Steve also followed that by partnering in the medical equipment business for 8 years. In 2011 he followed his sailing dream but couldn’t stay away from the business world. He ran a very successful charter yacht in the Virgin Islands and then started Paradise Yacht Management with Hank in 2015.

Phil Scarlata

Joining Paradise Yacht Management and Charter Smarter in 2020, Phil has been a driving force behind the brand’s rapid growth and evolution. With a deep background in digital marketing, media production and entrepreneurship from owning multiple successful businesses, he has helped bring modern, high-performance marketing strategies to the forefront of the yacht charter experience. Phil’s passion lies in business development and crafting innovative, attention-grabbing ways to showcase one of the world’s most captivating industries to new markets. His creative approach and results-driven mindset continue to elevate the Charter Smarter brand and expand its reach to new audiences. He looks forward to showing you firsthand how Charter Smarter delivers not just a vacation—but a truly unforgettable "Vacation of a Lifetime".

Jill Bailey

Jill relocated to St. Thomas in 2020, joining the PYM team after living and working her whole life in Dallas, Texas. After years of considering a major move, the pandemic provided the final push for her and her husband to embrace a new chapter in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawn by a love of sailing, diving, travel, and warm weather, Jill found the perfect home in St. Thomas. With a strong background in hotel and restaurant sales and management, she transitioned seamlessly into the yacht charter industry. During her early years, Jill supported management, crew, and guests while gaining comprehensive industry experience. She managed broker inquiries, trained crews, and ensured teams were fully prepared to deliver exceptional guest experiences. Five years later, Jill now serves as the General Sales Manager for Charter Smarter, where she leads the Charter Specialist and Concierge teams with a focus on service excellence and operational efficiency.

Kristi Marquart

Kristi has been part of our team for over eight years, bringing extensive firsthand experience and a passion for creating unforgettable yacht vacations. Before transitioning to the role of Yacht Charter Specialist, she and her husband worked together as a professional captain and chef team, completing nearly 100 crewed charters in the U.S. and British Virgin Islands between 2017 and 2023. She has also island-hopped the West Indies as far south as Grenada and explored deeply into the Bahamas on her personal boat, giving her broad local knowledge across multiple cruising grounds. As a 100 Ton USCG-licensed captain with culinary training from Ashburton Chefs Academy in England, Kristi’s years of living and working aboard yachts gave her an insider’s perspective on the Virgin Islands (she knows every island, bay, trail, and epic snorkel spot!) as well as hands-on expertise in provisioning, hosting, and yacht cuisine. Along the way, she's built lasting connections throughout the charter industry. In 2023, Kristi and her husband stepped away from chartering to start their family and now enjoy life on shore with their toddler and goofy Bahamas-rescue dog. Her love for the industry never faded, and she remains closely connected with yacht crews and industry professionals, many of whom are now lifelong friends. Kristi carries with her the magic she experienced firsthand on charter, watching families and friends create memories that last a lifetime—often thanks to the crew, the true magic-makers! Today, she continues to draw on her knowledge, passion, and industry relationships to help her clients experience those same unforgettable vacations.

Emily Busichio

Raised on the water in Tybee Island, GA, Emily grew up immersed in the maritime world. Both of her parents are USCG-licensed captains who operate a charter fishing and nature tour company, and following in their footsteps, Emily has earned her own USCG Captain’s License. Her deep industry knowledge is paired with extensive real-world sailing experience: after bareboating for her honeymoon in the Abaco Bahamas, she and her husband ran kiteboard charters and later served as yacht crew for five successful seasons across the US and British Virgin Islands. Emily has also sailed across the Atlantic aboard a Sunreef 80, navigated countless Caribbean passages down to Grenada, and explored numerous islands. Now cruising aboard her own sailboat, she brings her first-hand expertise and passion for the sea to every charter. As a yacht specialist, Emily’s goal is to create unforgettable, tailored experiences on the water—just like the adventures she has enjoyed herself—for families, friends, and like-minded travelers seeking fun, safe, and memorable adventures. She is dedicated to ensuring every detail is seamless, providing guidance and support every step of the way.

Lauren Scarlata

​My love for the Caribbean and the laid-back island lifestyle began six years ago during my sister’s 21st birthday yacht charter — an experience I’ll never forget. With a background in sales, hospitality and guest services, I bring a genuine passion for helping people create unforgettable experiences. I take pride in listening closely to what clients want, and making sure every detail is handled with care — I’m a people-pleaser at heart, and nothing makes me happier than seeing guests enjoy the islands I love so much. I also have family living in the islands, which gives me the chance to visit often and stay connected to the local lifestyle. This personal connection, paired with my dedication to continually growing in the charter industry, allows me to help clients plan trips that are both authentic and unforgettable.

Tippe Ball

Tippee is a vibrant and adventurous spirit, passionate about the sea and the art of creating unforgettable experiences. Married to her husband Wade, a skilled 50-ton Master Captain, Tippee has embraced life on the water, learning to sail in her 20s on Sullivans Island, SC. After spending over three decades in the corporate world of marketing and sales, she and her husband Wade made the bold decision to retire early and chase her lifelong dream of living in the islands. They sold everything to buy a 45 ft catamaran, embarking on an inspiring journey to the Caribbean. Currently, Tippee resides in Charleston, her second love, where she continues to cultivate her passion for cooking and yachting. With six years of experience at Paradise, she has transitioned from crew on the yacht Whiskey Business to her current role as a yacht charter specialist with Charter Smarter. With five years spent as a charter chef, Tippee has cultivated extensive knowledge of the yachting industry and the picturesque gems scattered throughout the Virgin Islands. Her guiding philosophy, "Dream it, then do it," motivates her to empower others to realize their own dreams. Tippee takes immense joy in helping clients plan their dream yacht vacations, believing that experiences and adventures are the most cherished gifts one can share with family and friends. Through her work, she cherishes being part of the memories that last a lifetime.

Micheale Zazo

I have always been drawn to travel, adventure, and the magic of life on the water. More than 13 years ago, I was fortunate to discover the yacht charter industry—a career path that has allowed me to combine my love of exploration with my dedication to exceptional guest service. My background is unique in that I have experienced charter life from both sides: first as crew aboard a sailing catamaran, and now as a professional yacht charter broker. My time on the water gave me a deep understanding of what makes a charter truly memorable—the attention to detail, the personalized service, the balance between adventure and relaxation, and the thoughtful planning that goes into each itinerary. Those firsthand experiences have shaped the way I guide my clients today. As a broker, I specialize in listening closely to my clients’ wishes and then matching them with the perfect yacht, crew, and destination. From the first conversation to the moment you board to begin your adventure, I handle every detail with care—ensuring that each charter is seamless, stress-free, and entirely tailored to my clients’ vision. Whether it’s a family seeking a meaningful escape, a couple planning a celebration, or friends chasing new horizons together, I take pride in creating charter experiences that go far beyond expectations. For me, it’s not just about booking a yacht—it’s about curating journeys that blend discovery, comfort, and connection. Every charter is a chance to create lasting memories, and I consider it a privilege to help make those moments possible.

Kelly Coughlin

With over 25 years of experience in the yacht charter industry, Kelly brings unmatched expertise and genuine passion to every charter she arranges. Her journey began in the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, where she lived and worked on-site as Guest Services Manager for a fleet of 30 yachts. This hands-on role gave her an insider’s perspective on every detail of yacht operations and guest experience—knowledge that continues to shape her approach today. As a seasoned yacht charter broker, Kelly has personally arranged more than 500 yachting vacations across the globe. Her deep understanding of the industry is complemented by her time spent at sea: she has crewed on yacht deliveries along the U.S. East Coast and throughout the Caribbean, having sailed every island from St. Thomas to Grenada. Kelly’s adventures extend beyond the Caribbean, with sailing journeys throughout the Mediterranean, including Greece, Turkey, and Croatia and New England.. Her firsthand experience in these destinations allows her to craft personalized yacht vacations that truly reflect the magic of life on the water. For Kelly, organizing yacht charters isn’t just a profession—it’s her passion. She believes every voyage should be as unique as the guests aboard and is dedicated to helping travelers discover the world by sea, one unforgettable charter at a time.

Lisa Ferrara

Lisa’s life has always been intertwined with the water. Raised along the scenic waterways of Maryland, she spent her early years fishing, boating, and exploring the shores of the Susquehanna River and Ocean City, Maryland. Those formative experiences instilled a deep appreciation for coastal living and a lifelong passion for the sea. Her love for boating flourished throughout her teens and twenties on the Chesapeake Bay, where countless days spent on the water with friends shaped her understanding of the boating lifestyle. In the early 2000s, Lisa began discovering the Caribbean through private yacht charters—embracing the elegance of yachting and the effortless rhythm of island life. Inspired by those journeys, Lisa turned her passion into a profession, becoming a licensed Yacht Broker. She guided clients through the purchase of yachts designed for both adventure and tranquility—whether for living aboard or escaping to the open water. Her natural connection to the lifestyle made her transition to luxury charter brokerage a seamless evolution. As a yacht charter specialist, Lisa brings her clients into the heart of what she loves most: creating unforgettable yacht vacation experiences. Her personal stories, deep industry knowledge, and heartfelt commitment to each client have made her highly sought-after in the charter world. To this day, Lisa’s passion for sharing the magic of the islands only grows stronger with every group she helps set sail. She looks forward to helping you create your own once-in-a-lifetime adventure on the water.

Nyomi Gumbs

I grew up in the Virgin Islands and spent much of my life living on a boat, so these islands have always been home in the truest sense. Today, I get to pour that perspective into the stories I create for Charter Smarter. With a background in communications, I aim to tell these stories in a way that feels authentic and inviting. I love collaborating with our crews to capture the moments that make life on the water unforgettable — quiet coves, sun-drenched beaches, shared meals, family laughter, and that unmatched sense of calm you only find at sea. It’s deeply rewarding to share what makes this place so special. If something I create makes you pause, smile, or imagine yourself here, then I’ve done exactly what I set out to do.

Roxanne Sciarrone

​Beach-bum bougie is the life for me—and it’s what led me here to the islands. Born by the beaches of Florida and raised in the Tri-State area, I always found my way back to the ocean. Three years ago, I embraced the snowbird life and traded the hustle of the New York isles for the warm trade winds of Rock City, St. Thomas. ​ Since arriving in the Caribbean, I dove headfirst into the boating world, earning my STCW, Keelboat, Bareboat, and Basic Cruising certifications—all in one year. With a decade of experience as a vacation rental host managing multiple 4–8-person apartments, plus 25 years in the entertainment and restaurant industries, splashing into the role of Charter Smarter Concierge felt like the perfect next wave. ​ Hospitality is my heartbeat. I take pride in creating a relaxed, secure, and memorable experience for every guest, broker, captain, crew member, and owner I interact with—always delivering the same level of attentiveness and genuine care. My mission is simple: ensure everyone ends their charter feeling taken care of, appreciated, and smiling. ​ No matter the forecast, I’m here to bring fair winds and following seas to every Charter Smarter journey.

Casey Phillips

Julia Ray

Viki Antonopoulou