Alphabetical Staff Directory

Luis Arzuaga
Title

Sous Chef

Meet Sous Chef Luis Arzuaga He graduated from Pennsylvania Instiute of Culinary Arts. Performed his intern at Holiyday Inn in Pennsylvania where after a four year term he became there Banquet Chef. He did a two term with a Crowne Plaza as their Executive Sous Chef, before moving to Jacksonville, Fl. He worked for Darden Restaurants for four years where he opened multiple restaurants with them. He then joined the Florida Yacht Club on August 11, 2015 where he enjoys creating the nightly features for the Pirate's Den. He enjoys going Go-Kart racing, and going to the movies.

Louis Ballantyne, USPTA
Title

Director of Tennis

Louis is a USPTA P1-certified professional, and has remained very active with the USPTA, pursuing extensive continuing education and serving on several committees. In addition, he received his USTA High Performance Coaching Certificate in 2002, a program with which Louis has remained very active. Louis has also received several professional awards including the First Coast Tennis Foundation Director of Tennis award and the USPTA Player of the Year Award three times. He has continued to be a successful tennis player since joining the Florida Yacht Club in 1993, having been ranked in the top 5 in Florida and the top 10 nationally in USPTA, including 2013 #1 ranking in the Men’s 45 Doubles.

Stephen Bechan
Title

Executive Chef

Chef Stephen graduated with honors from the Pennsylvania Institute of Culinary Arts and performed his internship with the Ritz Carlton on Amelia Island. After a two year term at a Mobil 4 Star Cincinnatian Hotel, he returned to Florida and spent the next four at the Amelia Island Club. Chef Stephen then spent two years at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach where he was responsible for the seafood bar and restaurant, a high volume seafood themed restaurant that served between 250 and 450 members and guests per day. He then joined us at The Florida Yacht Club and we have been eating well ever since! He is married to Jennifer Bechan and they have two young boys, Carson and Peyton.

Kyle Bell
Title

Director of Food & Beverage

Kyle, a Florida native, has been in food and beverage his whole career. After leaving the Air Force as an intelligence analyst stationed in Maryland at the National Security Agency, he joined Marriott International as a restaurant supervisor. After 10 years and many positions later, he left and went to work for Hilton as Food and Beverage Director. Admiring the restaurant life he left Hilton and was in charge of his own restaurant for Chili’s. Spending 7 years there as a Managing Partner, he learned a lot about truly being responsible for himself, his managers, the building and the people. He is married with 4 children and loves to be out on the boat and tries to golf when not at work.

Jimbo Cannon
Title

Sailing Program Manager

Jimbo Cannon has joined the Florida Yacht Club Sailing Program in an effort to build adult sailing in Northeast Florida and get the FYC membership enjoying all the St. Johns River has to offer. He is looking forward to working with everyone - beginner sailors to advanced racers and is passionate about sharing the sport of sailing which has been a major part of his life. Jimbo will also be assisting with the junior and high school teams. We are excited to have Jimbo at FYC to share his passion with our membership.

Dustin Domer
Title

Waterfront Director

Dustin is the Waterfront Director and comes to us from Chicago, IL where he grew up. He began sailing at the age of 10 and teaching adult sailing classes in the evenings at 16. Dustin has been working in the sailing industry for 11+ years. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Dustin ran the Optimist race program at the Chicago Yacht Club and Columbia Yacht Club for a combined 6 years, and ran the jr. program at the Columbia Yacht Club for over a year before coming to FYC in April of 2017. Dustin is looking forward to continue the growth of Junior Sailing at FYC as well as enhance the level of the competitive sailors competing around the country for the club.

Carol Edell, CCM, CCE
Title

General Manager

Raised in Long Island, NY, Carol graduated from SUNY-Oneonta before beginning her career in hospitality. She served in a variety of positions, at several Ritz Carlton properties both international and domestic, as well as leading the Country Club of Columbus (GA) in her capacity as General Manager. Carol believes passionately in service excellence through building personal relationships with Club membership, developing the best staff in the hospitality industry, and guiding the Club to a position of future viability while maintaining it's rich history and traditions. In her time away from the Club she enjoys travel, time at the beach, swimming, diving and live music.

Julia Jackson
Title

Head Professional

A Jacksonville native, Julia Jackson has been on The Florida Yacht Club tennis courts since she was a child. During her Junior Tennis career, JJ qualified for The Florida State Tennis Championship Tournament seven times. She took first place in the District and Sectional Tournaments five times and reached a #3 ranking in the State of Florida Doubles Tournament. Because of her talent and maturity, The Florida Yacht Club hired JJ to serve on the FYC Tennis Staff, and she quickly earned her USPTA professional certification. Rising through the ranks, JJ is now the Club’s Head Tennis Professional, a position she has held for the past three years. Her ability to teach all levels of tennis is just one reason JJ brings joy and energy to every court at FYC.

Zoey Lackey
Title

Food & Beverage Supervisor

Born and raised in Jacksonville, FL. Zoey attended college at FSCJ and earned an Associates Degree. She worked at Jacksonville Golf & Country club since 2018 before joining the FYC in August of 2022 as an F&B Supervisor. Zoey is responsible for overseeing all F&B staff and providing guidance and support to ensure the best service for the members of the club. In her time off she enjoys going to the beach, traveling, & spending time with friends.

Coy Long
Title

Food & Beverage Manager

Originally from North Carolina, Coy moved to the Florida Keys over 10 years ago. After 2 years of diving the Florida reef system, he moved to Orlando to accept a position at The Walt Disney World Company. In 5 years in Orlando, Coy curated and taught both a whiskey and wine class for Disney, opened a restaurant for Universal Studios and was part of the latest renovation at Isleworth Golf and County Club. After his time in Orlando, Coy accepted a position as Beverage Manager at Timuquana Country Club where he oversaw a complete overhaul of the beverage program. He is thrilled to be able to bring his knowledge and experience to Florida Yacht Club.

Brad Martens, CSCS
Title

Pool & Fitness Director

Brad grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he was involved in many different sports and even earned All-State honors in cross country and track. He followed his lifelong passion for fitness and wellness to University of Florida where he studied Exercise and Sport Sciences. Brad still enjoys running, and also spends his free time having fun with his wife and stepdaughter, lifting weights, and playing softball.

Billy Mayo
Title

Clubhouse Manager

Billy began his tenure as the Food and Beverage Director in 2002 before being promoted to Clubhouse Manager in 2012. He oversees the day to day operations for all Food and Beverage outlets, Maintenance, and Housekeeping. He sees his service to the membership over the years as a privilege and looks forward to many more years of service, in any capacity.

Carter Meyers
Title

Marina Manager

Carter grew up in Michigan where his love of boating was born. Alongside his father, Carter fished hard all over the Great Lakes catching salmon and walleye. After high school, he moved to Miami where he lived for 13 years. During that time, Carter's passion for all things boating has only grown. When not personally on the water, he truly loves helping others enjoy their boating experience which is the main purpose for his career in the marine industry. Away from the water, Carter is an avid hiker and enjoys hunting and mountain biking. Carter is looking forward to the unique lifestyle that Northeast Florida can provide.

Sharon Miller
Title

Controller

Sharon grew up in Cheshire, Connecticut, then headed further North to attend New Hampshire College. Sharon moved to Jacksonville in 1995 and worked as the Controller for the River Club and Epping Forest Yacht Club for 18 years before joining the FYC team. She is an avid boater, Jaguar fan and loves spending time with her husband and son.

Martin Miltner
Title

Accounting Associate

Martin grew up in Clearwater, FL and spent most of his youth as a Jewelry Artist. After attending Savannah College of Art and Design briefly, Martin moved to Jacksonville in 2010 to attend FSCJ, where he graduated in Hospitality Management. Martin spent 8 years with Hilton Properties and attained a General Manger Position before his move to Membership Accounting with The Ponte Vedra Inn and Club for 2 years before joining the FYC team in December. He enjoys spending time with his partner and their 4 dogs, traveling whenever possible, cooking, and boating.

Casey Nichols
Title

Membership & Marketing Director

Born in Jacksonville, FL., Casey grew up in the Philadelphia area. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Management at St. Joseph’s University, and working briefly in finance and retail marketing he returned to Jacksonville as the Director of Sales and Promotions for the Jacksonville Suns Baseball Club (AA-Affiliate, Miami Marlins). In 2011, Nichols was promoted to Assistant General Manager and subsequently enjoyed 3 Southern League Championship seasons and the pleasure of developing lasting relationships with countless First Coast citizens. He uses that same approach to relationship building with a focus on Member experience at FYC. Away from the office he enjoys the game of golf, Kentucky Wildcats basketball and the company of friends and family.

Brennan Pickren
Title

Executive Sous Chef

Brennan’s career started with a three-year apprenticeship through the ACF (American Culinary Federation) beginning as an entry level cook for the Amelia Island Club and subsequently at the Verandah Restaurant where he met his wife of 13 years, Courtney. They are now the proud parents of two amazing kids. After finishing the apprenticeship successfully, Brennan took a position at Sea Island Resort and assisted in earning the operation the Forbes 5-star rating and AAA 5 diamond rating. He also served in several positions with Omni Hotels & Resorts including Sous Chef, Chef de Cuisine for multiple restaurants, Resort Outlet Chef and Executive Sous Chef. In November of 2019 he joined FYC as the Executive Sous Chef. Pickren considers it a pleasure to be a part of a club with such a rich history of ongoing traditions.

Danielle Wiggins
Title

Director of Junior Development

Danielle grew up in the FYC Junior Program in the late 90s and became probably the most accomplished junior ever to come out of our program. Danielle was ranked in the top 10 in Florida, played #1 singles and doubles for University of South Carolina where she was an All American and ranked in the top 20 NCAA. Danielle then went on to play professionally where she achieved a world ranking but her pro career, unfortunately, was cut short due to shoulder surgery. Danielle has spent the last 6 years working with juniors at all levels from red ball to world ranked at the JTCC academy at the Bolles High School. Danielle is very passionate about tennis and fitness and loves to share her passion with all ages and levels.