It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Bluewater Yacht Sales President, Jan Boone, on May 29th after a courageous battle with cancer. This devastating loss to her family, friends & co-workers has also jolted the close-knit boating industry at-large. As condolences pour in from around the world, it is readily apparent how many people Jan moved with her commitment to excellence and genuine friendships.
Jan graduated with a degree in Business from UNC-Greensboro, and shortly after in 1983 embarked on a noteworthy career at Hatteras Yachts in High Point, North Carolina, moving with the company to their New Bern facility in the late ’90s. She worked her way through numerous aspects of the company’s operations, taking on roles in marketing, customer service, personnel management and a progression of sales-related positions. Jan’s tenacity & dedication to the company & their customers earned her an appointment as Vice President of Sales. A driving force behind the company’s market dominance during her tenure through the early 2000s, she was ready for the next endeavor.
In 2008, Jan’s proven sales leadership skills were sought out by close friend & Chairman of Jarrett Bay Yacht Sales (JBYS), Randy Ramsey. Not one to back down from a challenge, Jan accepted the position of President amid the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. While much of the boating industry was left reeling, Jan parlayed her keen business sense and highly respected relationships with the company’s brand leaders & financial partners to point JBYS to safe harbor. Her calculated steps not only navigated the company through these difficult times, she positioned their operations to be revitalized with exponential sales figures as the economy rebounded.
In October of 2012, Jan helped direct the merger between Jarrett Bay Yacht Sales & Bluewater Yacht Sales to form one of the largest new & brokerage yacht sales companies in the world. Continuing in the role of President with the new company’s founding ownership teams of Chris Hall, Sr., Earle Hall & Jud Black from the Bluewater side, and Jarrett Bay’s Randy Ramsey and Dan Reitz, she piloted the company past many milestones. Jan maintained Bluewater’s leading market position while overseeing the sale of new models from 10 world-class brands, guiding over 50 employees in ten East Coast sales locations, and facilitating the sale of thousands of listings valued at hundreds of millions of dollars.
Jan’s battle with cancer was prolonged, but she was a true warrior and continued to push forward leading Bluewater Yacht Sales throughout her treatments. She faced the biggest challenge of her life with strength & courage and has left an indelible mark & incredible legacy which will live on in the hearts of everyone she touched. Jan Boone’s principles, dedication and achievements will endure through the generations of colleagues she mentored and inspired. She is inimitable and will always be remembered for her strong will, work ethic and heart. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jan’s husband Jerome, daughter Lauren, their family, and countless friends who share in our sadness at this profound loss.
Jan was a good friend who had a great sense of humor. I worked with her when I bought a 60 Hatteras. Most of all she was a person of integrity. She will be missed by all.
Bob Lucas
I am so sad about the loss of Jan Boone .. I talked to her several times and always enjoyed seeing her at the Florida boat shows ! She was always a GREAT Help!
Jan will be MISSED FOR EVER!
Best wishes to the Bluewater team and our long time friends in Hampton.
My sincere condolences to the family and friends. What a terrible thing to happen to such a young person and their family
A great lady and a friend to all with whom she came into contact. Will miss her at the Bluewater Summer Cruises.
Jan was wonderful and a joy to talk with. She was knowledgeable confident personable caring and supportive.
Jan Boone was a fierce competitor, a close friend and excelled in a tough industry like no other person I have ever known. She led by example, out working and usually outsmarting everyone around her. She was always kind and generous to all. Her integrity and professionalism were always unquestionable. My prayers are with her husband, daughter, family members, friends, and business associates. I will miss her terribly. Rest in Peace Precious Lady.
Jan was one of the finest people I ever had the pleasure of buying a boat from. She was very knowledgeable, customer friendly and above all, ethical. I will miss her very much!
John, I did not know Jan Boone, she sounds like a wonderful lady. I am very sorry for all of boat industry’s and your loss of her skills and personality and I’m sure a good friend. Butch Bell
Jud,
Sorry to see this loss for Bluewater and all of her loved ones.
We were shocked to learn of Jan’s cancer battle. We said a prayer that she can now Rest In Peace.
Jan was always so friendly and welcoming to us when we were new Grand Banks owners back in 2007! We met her at our first Fall Rendezvous at the Tides Inn.
She will be sorely missed. Our thoughts go out to her Family.
WE are so sad to hear this news. Our heart felt condolences go out to Jan’s family friends and the Bluewater Team. We loved Jan. It was always great to be with her at the cruises and shows. She was a true leader and will be greatly missed. We must remember the good times with her. God bless Jan and her family. May she rest in peace. Jim & Karen Strickler
We are so sorry to hear of Jan’s much to early passing. Knowing Jan thru our many years on the Board of the Chesapeake Bay Grand Banks Owners Association, her participation and support of our association will be very much missed. We could always count on her to keep us abreast of developments at Bluewater, the boating industry in general and Grand Banks Yachts, in particular. She was a true professional and was always willing to help our members in any way she could. Please extend our sympathy and condolences to her family. She will be very much missed.
Very sad !
Sorry to hear this terrible news.My regards to her Family and friends
My prayers are with the family and friends.
A beautiful tribute to a beautiful woman. Thank you for sharing her story. A brave woman with a rare work ethic.
Thank you Hank and Randy for a heartfelt eulogy of Jan, a friend and work associate for all my years at Hatteras and beyond. And, it was great seeing my friends from Hatteras and Jarrett Bay/Bluewater and her family yesterday pay tribute to this truly remarkable and ever rememberable star of our world… Chris Miller
I know that quality in an organization starts and rests at the top. Though I’m a recent Sabre owner, the personal responsiveness I’ve received from the people at Jarrett-Bluewater is reinforced from someone high up in the organization. I know in her role as President it was at the least supported by Jan . . . and was possibly her inspiration. I am so sad at her passing.
Prayers and thoughts for her family and everyone at blue water yachts!
Sorry for the loss!
I knew Jan for many yearsI When I worked at Viking Yachts she was working at Hatteras Yachts. We would always have conversations at the Boat Show and this continues with her move to Bluewater and Jarrett Bay. She was a great lady and I will miss her.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
Our sincere condolences to the family and close friends of Jan!! We did not know her real well, but were fortunate to have enjoyed time with her over the past 7 years. She was always sincerely warm and welcoming … a genuinely wonderful person to be around. We will miss her!!!
Mark & Katie Boaz