Meet the people behind YACHTWAVE®
The YACHTWAVE team brings together decades of experience in software innovation and marine industry leadership—united by a shared passion for life on the water and a mission to modernize how technology serves the boating world. We combine technical precision with firsthand knowledge of the marine lifestyle to improve how boats are built, delivered, and managed—helping owners, manufacturers, and service providers operate smarter, safer, and more connected than ever before.
CEO & Founder
John O'Keefe is a seasoned entrepreneur and technology innovator with a passion for streamlining complex processes through software solutions. With over two decades of experience in the tech industry, John has founded and led multiple technology companies that have transformed operations across various sectors. An avid lifetime boater, John recognized the challenges of managing boat maintenance and operations firsthand. This insight led him to create YACHTWAVE, a comprehensive yacht management platform designed to simplify boat ownership by consolidating logbooks, inventory, documents, checklists, tasks, and alerts into a single, user-friendly system.
Partner - Delivery Platform
William "Bill" Michel is a seasoned marine industry executive with extensive experience driving innovation and growth across global markets. As Director of High-Performance at Wellcraft Marine, Bill led strategy and development of next-generation models that pushed performance boundaries. He has since expanded brand presence for influential companies including Uflex Marine, SureShade, and Maritimo Yachts. His expertise in market positioning, product innovation, and customer engagement consistently delivers stronger brand equity and sales growth in the competitive luxury boating marketplace. As a Partner at YACHTWAVE, Bill leverages his extensive industry knowledge to guide the company's mission of modernizing the marine manufacturing industry.
CFO
Debbie O'Keefe brings over two decades of financial management and investment experience to her role as Chief Financial Officer at YACHTWAVE®. She began her career at Deloitte before advancing through finance roles at Credit Suisse and Barclays, supporting derivatives trading and developing expertise in capital markets and risk management. Before joining YACHTWAVE, Debbie served as Chief Financial Officer at Healthcare Value Capital, LLC, a New York–based healthcare investment advisor, where she led accounting, compliance, and regulatory reporting. At YACHTWAVE, Debbie oversees all aspects of financial strategy, reporting, and investor relations, building the company's financial infrastructure to ensure transparency, scalability, and compliance as the platform expands across the marine technology and software sectors. Debbie earned her Accounting degree summa cum laude from Rutgers University and is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in New York.
Marketing Director
As Marketing Director at YACHTWAVE®, Erin O'Halloran leads the company's brand strategy and digital innovation efforts, helping redefine how the marine industry connects with technology. She is driving YACHTWAVE's transformation into a recognized leader in intelligent boating software—developing campaigns that merge storytelling, analytics, and design to reach both boat owners and global manufacturers. Before joining YACHTWAVE, Erin founded McKinley Marketing, a results-driven digital agency known for elevating growth brands through data-centric strategy and creative execution. Her team's work achieved measurable outcomes, including triple-digit gains in engagement and conversion across social and digital platforms. Erin holds a Master's in Mass Communication with a specialization in Digital Strategy, and a Bachelor's in Public Relations, both from the University of Florida.
Head of Web Development
Michael Niles serves as Head of Web Development at YACHTWAVE, where he leads the planning, design, and execution of web development initiatives. With over two decades of experience spanning digital design, engineering, and systems architecture, Michael oversees the technical direction of YACHTWAVE's web platforms, keeping them scalable, performant, and aligned with the company's product vision. His work is pivotal in translating business logic into scalable web solutions — from responsive interfaces and API integrations to full platform workflows — all tailored for the unique demands of boating, marine technology, and SaaS environments. Drawing on his background in both creative and technical disciplines, Michael's approach emphasizes clarity, maintainability, and long-term growth across every facet of web development.
Brand Ambassador
Julianne Gentile is a professional model and spokesperson who has represented YACHTWAVE® since the company's inception. With a background in fashion and commercial modeling, she brings both elegance and authenticity to the brand—helping convey YACHTWAVE's message through visual storytelling, media appearances, and lifestyle engagement. A passionate advocate for innovation in the marine world, Julianne bridges the connection between technology, design, and life on the water. Her presence continues to shape how YACHTWAVE communicates its vision to boat owners and enthusiasts alike. Follow Julianne and her YACHTWAVE collaborations on Instagram at @modeljulianneg.
We're always looking for passionate people who love the marine industry.
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