Jacksonville Freedom Boat Club recognized best in the nation

Submitted by lalmeida on Wednesday, December 13th, 4:32 pm

Venice, Fla. –Freedom Boat Club Jacksonville received multiple awards, including Franchise of the Year, at the company’s recently held annual conference in Fort Myers, Fla.

Freedom Boat Club (FBC) Jacksonville, owned and managed by Lisa Almeida and Kevin Seeling, operates in three locations: Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra.

FBC, the nation’s oldest and largest boat club, was founded in 1989 and has more than 16,000 members. The club operates in more than 148 locations across the U.S. and Canada.

Almeida and Seelig, who took over the struggling Jacksonville franchise in 2012, were recognized overall top performance for 2017. In addition, FBC’s George Biastre was named Membership Executive of the Year.

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Freedom Boat Club announces new Director

Submitted by lalmeida on Monday, September 25th, 3:48 pm

Freedom Boat Club is pleased to announce that Burke Bell has joined the company as the Social and Events Director. Burke will be based out of the Julington Creek Marina in Jacksonville, and Camachee Cove Marina in St Augustine.

Burke has both power boat and sailing experience with a variety of different vessels. With his passion for boating, love for the North Florida waterways, and a solid background in event management and hospitality, Burke is a wonderful fit for Freedom Boat Club. "I am excited to offer our members not only the best boating experience, but also an unparalleled club environment as well. Our members have joined Freedom Boat Club to enjoy a lifestyle of fun and leisure on the water, and we aim to please. With my event planning experience and my passion for life on the water in our beautiful North Florida, I strive to provide Freedom Boat Club members with a club experience that is like nothing else”.

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Freedom Boat Club of St. Augustine to promote Austin Hammond to Director of Fleet

Submitted by lalmeida on Saturday, September 9th, 6:03 pm

Jacksonville, Fla., Sept. 7, 2017 — Freedom Boat Club is pleased to announce Austin Hammond has been lined up to be promoted to Director of Fleet Operations. Hammond currently serves as Director of Dock operations for the St. Augustine Marina.

Hammond has been with the company for the past 5 years. He recently completed his service skills training program at the Yamaha Marine University in Kennesaw, Georgia. Following his completion, he was offered a great opportunity to oversee all of the maintenance, repairs and installations for the club, in the near future. When the fleet gets to 100 boats, the need for a second Director will be ready to be filled.

“My new skills and qualifications have provided me with a lot more opportunity. I feel confident in taking on this new position,” said Hammond. “The most important thing I learned while attending the program was follow procedure and do it right the first time.”

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Smooth Cruising: A perfect partnership is at helm of Freedom Boat Club Jacksonville

Submitted by lalmeida on Tuesday, August 15th, 4:34 pm

For a myriad of reasons, business partnerships can be problematic. Getting two people to effectively run a company together, through differences in style, strengths, and weaknesses, is more the exception than the rule.

Who gets the final say? Whose priorities take precedent?

But when it works, when the partners are able to utilize their unique skill sets and keep their egos in check, the result can be as sweet as Ben & Jerry Ice Cream.

When Lisa Almeida and Kevin Seelig discussed forming a partnership to purchase a franchise of Freedom Boat Club in 2011, they never dreamed the business would have grown this large, this fast.

“We think we have a perfect partnership,” Almeida said. “We respect each other, listen to each other and trust each other, and I have a high respect for Kevin’s skills”

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Freedom Boat Club honors long-time partner by naming new boat ‘904 Happy Hour’

Submitted by lalmeida on Thursday, July 27th, 3:53 pm

What is the best way to show appreciation for a valued partner? Freedom Boat Club Jacksonville has come up with a unique tribute.

“We wanted to honor a successful partnership we have had for many years now,” said FBC’s Lisa Almeida. “So, we are naming our newest boat ‘904 Happy Hour’.

Almeida explains the logic of naming a boat after another organization.

“We describe our club as 'boating made simple' and 'your director of fun',” Almeida said. “And 904 Happy Hour is Jacksonville’s premier entertainment resource.

“And of course, every hour you are out on a Freedom Boat Club boat is a happy hour.”

Almeida, Seelig, Wagnor on the 904 Happy Hour Boat

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Freedom Boat Club Jacksonville joins national safe boating initiative

Submitted by lalmeida on Friday, May 19th, 8:16 am

Jacksonville, Fla., May 4, 2017 – As experts can attest, boating under the influence can be just as dangerous as drinking and driving, which is why Freedom Boat Club Jacksonville is supporting the Sea Tow Foundation’s national initiative to make sure fun boating is also safe boating. Freedom Boat Club Jacksonville and St. Augustine is rolling out their initiative ahead of National Safe Boating Week, which takes place May 20 through 26.

“We are asking all our members to take the pledge to have a designated skipper on board whenever alcohol is involved,” said Lisa Almeida, CEO of Freedom Boat Club Jacksonville. “We want everyone to enjoy their time out on the water but also avoid unnecessary risks.”

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Freedom Boat Club to name newest boat in honor of Dreams Come True

Submitted by lalmeida on Monday, March 27th, 12:53 pm

For the second straight year, Freedom Boat Club Jacksonville will be providing a special day out on the water for Dreams Come True. But this year, the children involved will also participate in a one-of-a-kind ceremony.

Freedom Boat Club will be christening its newest boat in honor of the nonprofit organization.

“We love being able to serve these great kids and honor this organization,” said Freedom Boat Club Jacksonville owner, Lisa Almeida. “We wanted to do something memorable and special.”

On Friday, March 31, Freedom Boat Club’s new 21-foot Key West bow rider will be officially christened “Dreams Come True.” The 2017 model features a 200 horsepower four-stroke Yamaha motor and can accommodate eight people.

“The ceremony will feature sparkling grape juice for the kids to enjoy,” Almeida said.