RENA is crewed by an outstanding and experienced team who love to treat their guests to a memorable time on board. One of their favorite surprises is theme nights, complete with costumes and delicious food.
CAPTAIN:
KEN BRACEWELL
Along with his extensive experience and attention to detail, Ken also offers his fun-loving attitude and hospitable Midwestern demeanor to his guests aboard RENA, having just celebrated his FIFTH year anniversary. Whether you are looking for a private family getaway on the most secluded of beaches, or an action-packed adventure complete with theme nights, treasure hunts, and live music, Ken is sure to lead you on a custom-tailored charter during which you will be treated with the utmost care and hospitality.
Ken’s love of being on the water has been nurtured since a very young age when he began working as a crew member aboard one of his family’s cruise boats on the Great Lakes. While working for his father, he was placed in every department of the business and learned everything from catering to engineering and customer service.
Ken took a brief sabbatical from the maritime industry to study physics at Eastern Michigan University before being lured back to a career in yachting. Ken’s first command was in 1995 at the age of 23 when he oversaw the construction of an 80-foot yacht in Italy and subsequently cruised the Mediterranean and delivered it to the United States.
Ken holds a U.S. Coast Guard 1600/3000-ton license and is a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver. He also holds many other certificates in diesel engineering as well as a U.S. Coast Guard certification as Medical First Aid Provider
CHIEF ENGINEER:
CHRIS (WOO-HOO)HENDERSON
Chris is originally from New Zealand, the “Land of the Long White Cloud”, where he spent his childhood sailing in pursuit of his many State and National championship titles. Along the way, Chris’ father taught him that there was nothing in the world which can’t be fixed by men. Chris held this lesson dearly and has carried it with him for nine-years in the yachting industry.
His good-natured personality and enthusiasm for life have led our crew to dub Chris “Woo-Hoo”, as this is his mantra as he tackles whatever task is brought his way.
CHEF:
PETER ZIEGELMEIER
Peter is a versatile chef with a creative energy unlike anything you have ever seen before. Having roots in an Italian-German family the love of food came early on. Graduating from the Culinary Institute of America, studying under 10 master chefs (only 50 in the world), and having a whirlwind career in restaurants, private residence, catering, charter and private yachts,and casino cuisine, he comes to the RENA with a refreshing attitude and passion for what he does best. Special dietary requests are no problem, for service is equally important as excellent cuisine. Happy and smiling you will find Peter in the galley preparing tempting tasties and treats to make your chartering experience that of a lifetime. Peter recently celebrated his THIRD year anniversary aboard RENA in February.
FIRST OFFICER: BRENDAN RONEY
Brendan hails from Allentown, Pennsylvania. His enthusiasm and love for the sea brought him to South Florida 12 years ago as marketing director for a brokerage and charter company after he earned a BA in Business Administration and Marketing from Duquesne University.
In 2000 he traded his briefcase for a chamois and began a diverse and extensive yachting career. His experiences include a transatlantic passage and cruising the United States’ East and West coasts, the Caribbean, and the Bahamas. He currently holds a U.S. Coast Guard Master 1600/3000 ton license, U.S. Coast Guard Engineering and Medical certifications, and is a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver.
Brendan enjoys all water sports and traveling. You will find that he can and will do anything to make your charter experience the best ever! Brendan will be celebrating FIFTH year aboard RENA very soon.
BOSUN:
ETHAN OLMSTEAD
Ethan was born in New Bern, North Carolina and was raised on the Trent River, which explains his fascination with the water and anything which that involves. He began enjoying and maintaining small boats at a young age and is skilled and enthusiastic about almost any water-sport.
An opportunity, at the age of 18, allowed Ethan to join as delivery crew for a voyage to the Dominican Republic. This trip sold Ethan for a life spent on the water and he has since been cruising to destinations all over the US, Mediterranean and Caribbean.
THIRD STEWARDESS/DECK HAND
ASHLEE HUNTER
Ashlee hails from Springfield, Ohio. After a successful high school athletic career as a competitive swimmer, soccer player, cheerleader, and record holding track & field runner and high jumper; she found herself following in the footsteps of her parents when she joined the United States Air Force as a traditional Air National Guard member.Immediately upon her graduation, she went to basic and technical training, inevitably earning an associate’s degree in Information Technology; after which she began attending Ohio University.
At Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, Ashlee was an active member of the Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity as well as the OU Sale Centre. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Commercial Photography and Advertising. Upon her graduation Ashlee traveled to Fort Lauderdale, FL where interest in yachting was sparked. She now joins us as the newest member of the RENA team and her enthusiasm and fun-loving attitude will make sure that she fits right in.
CHIEF STEWARDESS:
KAVEEN WILGUSS
Kaveen’s home town of Hope Island in La Conner, Washington is where the roots of her enthusiasm for exquisite service, outdoor explorations and the Ocean first budded. It was in this majestic resort town that she trained in the artistry of elegant hospitality at the famous Nell Thorn Restaurant (mentioned in “1,000 Places to See Before You die”). Snowboarding at Mt. Baker, kayaking the Snee-Oosh beach and weekend getaways to British Columbia were all fundamental in nurturing her love of travel, which she now fuels aboard RENA. Since joining the world of yachting in 2004, Kaveen has traveled from the Pacific Northwest to the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia, with many stops along the way. Today she showers our guests with a warm-multifaceted personality, while combining her zeal for service with the promise of striving to make your experience on board the most memorable yet. Keveen joined RENA in November of 2009.
SECOND STEWARDESS:
STEPHANIE ROYAL
Stephanie is a native of Asheville, North Carolina, a small mountain town nestled in the Appalachian Mountains. After a successful high school soccer career, she earned a scholarship to play and study at Colorado College. But before finishing her academic pursuit, her curious and adventurous spirit led her to Europe for 2 years, where she traveled and studied German and Spanish. Finally settling back in Asheville to finish her Bachelor’s Degree, Stephanie began working in the hospitality industry.
In 2008, Stephanie’s fondness of people, culture, and service drove her to Fort Lauderdale in order to embark on an exciting career in the world of yachting. Well versed in service etiquette and bartending, she joins RENA with a bright smile and eagerness to fulfill guests’ every need. Stephanie has just celebrated her first year aboard RENA.
