At NW Explorations, our people are everything. We have an incredible team of marine technicians, charter experts, boat enthusiasts, dog lovers, and more.

To help everyone in the NW Explorations family (that means you) get to know us better, we’re kicking-off a new “Employee Spotlight” blog series that will highlight a different employee each month. We’ll be uncovering our team’s background, expertise, and little-known-facts. If you have a question for a team member, leave it in the comments and we’ll get back to you!

Our first guinea pig *ahem* we mean volunteer, is Jenna Stevens who’s been our Service Department Manager since 2015.

We’re featuring Jenna for two reasons: one, she’s awesome. And two, her last day as Service Manager is Friday, July 14, since she’s leaving to have her first baby.

We wanted to highlight Jenna prior to her departure because she’s made such a huge impact on the Service department and NW Explorations as a whole, and we hope she’ll join us part-time after she realizes how much she misses us.

1. Tell us about yourself.

I grew up on the East Coast spending time ‘messing about in boats,’ where I developed a passion for being on the water.  I participated in a “semester at sea” program in college, where I spent six weeks at sea on a traditionally rigged vessel, conducting science studies and navigating by the stars.

I achieved my USCG 100 Ton Masters’ License and acquired my first paying job on a boat during college, cruising Penobscot Bay, Maine on a 90’ wooden schooner with a 6-person crew and 29 guests.

My maritime career progressed after further certification and licensing, working on multiple different large yachts, a research ship, and passenger vessels, and cruising the Atlantic East Coast, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, the Sea of Cortez, the Pacific Ocean, and Southeast Alaska. By the time I came ashore, I had sailed as Captain of a 232’ passenger vessel holding a USCG 500 Ton Ocean Master’s License.

My husband and I settled in Bellingham, WA, where we could be close to both the mountains and the sea. I found that I could satiate my passion for boats by working in the NW Explorations Service Department, even if I was no longer driving a boat! Managing the service department has been just as stimulating as driving a boat (although with less change of scenery), and affords me the opportunity to go home at the end of the day and enjoy all that Bellingham and the Pacific Northwest have to offer for outdoor activities.

My husband and I are also expanding our family; last year we adopted a dog, Bandit, and this summer we are expecting our first baby!

2. How did you get involved with NW Explorations?

I responded to an ad for the Service Manager job opening.  It seemed like a great fit, close to home, and right up my alley!

3. What’s your favorite boating spot?

Sea of Cortez

4. What do you appreciate most about your job?

The people! Coworkers, clients, and vendors

5. What’s your favorite NWE story?

The Service Department has accomplished a lot of pretty amazing feats; replacing a davit in a 24-hour period, swapping out a transmission in a weekend . . .

6. What are three words that describe working at NWE?

Dynamic, fast-paced, and fun!

7. Do you have an office nickname?

Not that I’m aware of . . .

8. What’s your dream vacation?

A long road trip in our camper van with the dog and all the gear for mountain biking, hiking, backcountry skiing, and kitesurfing.  No itinerary 🙂

9. People would be surprised if they knew . . .

I spent six winter seasons cruising in the Caribbean.

10. What’s your favorite book?

Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea by Gary Kinder

_________________________________________________

Learn more about our crew, by checking out our Team page. And don’t forget to subscribe to our blog to learn about all the latest happenings at NW Explorations!