Meet Our Sales and Service Staff

John Zomermaand
Managing Broker

I spent my teen years in Holland, Michigan and lived barely three miles from one of the "Great Lakes" - Lake Michigan. Being of Dutch Heritage I was immediately drawn to the waters of Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa.

My first boat, a 22 ft. Pontoon, was purchased with ten high school buddies. We navigated the waters of Lake Michigan between Holland and Saugatuck, Michigan. As you might imagine, we polished our boating skills as well as our social skills during the two summers we owned that boat.

Over the years I've owned a number of boats both sail and power, currently I own a 32 ft Pacific Seacraft PH "Nouvelle", moored in Stonington, Connecticut. I'm also a member of the Stonington Harbor Yacht Club. I've sailed extensively in the Caribbean, mostly in the British Virgin Islands. On my list of personal goals was to qualify for a USCG Captain's license, which I was awarded in 2005.

For a few short years my boating cycle was interrupted by college and the beginning of my business career. After college and a few short-term job-stops later, I landed at Friendly Ice Cream. I worked my way through the organization including a stop in Troy, Ohio (no water there). However, in May of 2006, after 33 terrific years at Friendly's, the last ten as Vice-President of manufacturing, I retired. That summer as a retiree, I could pick and choose the locations and days of sailing, but something was missing - my enthusiastic nature to help customers.

One of our goals at Friendly Ice Cream was to create a product and experience that would exceed our customer's expectations. That is precisely what the Hellier Yacht Sales Team is all about. My goal at Hellier's is to use my experience in business and passion for boating to help our customers receive the yachting experience they desire.


Verne Ray
Service Manager

Hellier's Service Manager Verne Ray has been with HYS for 25 years.

His experience and expertise in all phases of the yacht commissioning and customer delivery process will ensure your trouble free enjoyment of your new boat.

Please contact him for all service and warranty questions.