Meet The Team

Jim joined Atlas Yacht Sales, where his dedication and expertise quickly set him apart. In 2001, he took the helm by purchasing the company, becoming its President and driving its growth into a premier yacht dealership in the Caribbean. Under his leadership, Atlas Yacht Sales has built a reputation for excellence, offering top-tier service in yacht sales, charters, and customer support. His extensive knowledge of the industry, combined with his passion for sailing, has made him a trusted advisor to yacht owners and enthusiasts alike. Today, Jim is a well-respected figure in the yachting community, known for his integrity, industry expertise, and commitment to excellence. His vision has helped shape the yachting landscape of Puerto Rico and Florida, ensuring that clients receive not only quality yachts but also an unparalleled level of service and guidance. Whether assisting seasoned sailors or newcomers to the boating world, Jim remains dedicated to sharing his passion for yachting with others.

Deborah Veiga was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She started her career in commercial insurance with AIG, gaining valuable experience in risk management and client relations. Her strong work ethic and attention to detail made her a trusted professional in the field. After meeting her husband, Jim, Deborah transitioned into the yachting industry, bringing her business expertise to Atlas Yacht Sales. As the company’s administrative backbone, she oversees operations, customer relations, and business management, ensuring smooth and efficient service for clients. Whether managing day-to-day operations or enhancing client experiences, she plays a key role in the company’s success. With deep ties to Puerto Rico, she remains dedicated to making the region a top destination for yachting.

Graham has been around boating all his life. His father was an avid sailor both cruising and racing. Graham grew up with a tiller in his hand and eventually decided that the yachting industry was the place to land for a second career. Prior to that Graham was involved in high-tech laser engineering but never lost interest in the several boats he owned along the way. He still owns his 40' Ketch that he has had for over 20 years. He has cruised extensively in the Bahamas, USVI, BVI, and down island to Grenada. Graham has worked for Atlas Yacht Sales in several capacities over the years. He and his wife Pam helped to run the boutique charter division called Sail Caribe in Fajardo, Puerto Rico for several years. They provided on-dock support for the yachts in the fleet, making sure they and the clients were ready for a fun filled adventure in the Spanish Virgin Islands. They also ran Captain Only Charters and taught ASA classes. Through connections with Sail Caribe, they landed a position as a Captain/Chef on a Lagoon 56, running charters for over 4 years in the BVI/USVI. Now Graham is back at Atlas as a yacht broker, helping to provide Lagoon's, Jeanneau's, and Catalina's to the people of Florida.

Paul's lifelong connection to the water began in Chicago, IL, where he was born, and blossomed on Marco Island, FL, where he was raised. Growing up exploring the Gulf of Mexico and the Florida Keys, Paul developed skills in fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and sailing from a young age. He went on to attend the University of South Florida, where he competed on the collegiate sailing team. Each summer, Paul shared his love for sailing by teaching at yacht clubs and sailing centers—eventually turning his passion into a full-time career. His instructing and sailing experience spans the San Juan Islands (WA), Portland (ME), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. At just 21, Paul purchased and restored his first sailboat, a 1985 Hunter 30, which he lived aboard in South Florida. Since then, he has logged over 10,000 nautical miles delivering both sail and powerboats, holds a U.S. Master Captain’s License, and has crossed the Caribbean Sea twice. Today, Paul actively sails and races his J/32 and remains deeply committed to life on the water, now helping others find their perfect boat so they too can experience the adventure and freedom of the boating lifestyle.

As a broker, Steven gets to share his knowledge and passion for the sea. Helping people achieve their sailing dreams by supporting them throughout the entire process and making sure they're in the right boat for them. This Is his mission with every client. Steven has spent his entire adult life around boats. Moving to Florida from Chicago at age 20 to pursue that dream. He moved on to his first sailboat at 22 and has live-aboard ever since. Since then, he has cruised his own boats tens of thousands of miles throughout the Caribbean and the US coast. Has become a master 100-ton captain, running tour boats, tugboats, instructing, and delivering yachts throughout the Caribbean.

Born in New Hampshire and raised along the shores of Falmouth, Massachusetts, Dawn Menegazzi developed a deep connection to the sea from an early age. Her childhood was filled with time spent on the water, where a love for the ocean and boating became a central part of her life. That early exposure laid the foundation for a lifelong passion that eventually brought her to the vibrant coastal lifestyle of Florida. About 15 years ago, Dawn took her passion to the next level by diving into competitive sailing. The experience not only sharpened her skills on the water but also deepened her appreciation for the sailing lifestyle and community. Her dedication to the sport and the sea has made her a natural fit in the world of yacht sales, where she can share her enthusiasm and expertise with others. Now with over a year of experience in yacht sales, Dawn brings a fresh, energetic perspective to the Atlas Yacht Sales team. She is particularly passionate about the Lagoon and Jeanneau yacht brands, admiring their design, performance, and comfort. Dawn is committed to helping clients find the perfect vessel to match their dreams, and she looks forward to continuing to grow in this exciting industry.

George is all about people and boats, and finding the best possible match between them. George’s mission: To Consistently Exceed Customer Expectations! • Brazilian-American boating enthusiast since age 3! • Multilingual: English, Portuguese, Spanish and some French • President and Owner, Vice-Versa Translation Services, Inc. since 1993 • Advanced Design and Flight Test Engineer, GE Aerospace, Cincinnati OH; 1984-1993 • Vasco da Gama Rowing Crew Team, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 1976-80 Born in Long Island, New York, George is the first generation Brazilian-American in his family. At age 13 his family returned to Rio de Janeiro, and while in college George joined the “Clube de Regatas Vasco da Gama” crew team. There he competed in the 2, 4 and 8 men sweep rowing racing boats, training with Olympic Gold Medalists. In 1985 George received an offer to return to the U.S. with GE Aerospace in Cincinnati, OH. It was his “dream job”, designing, ground and flight-testing commercial and military jet engines. It was there that George raised his two daughters and son, now ages 42, 33 and 32, who now excel in their own fields. Capitalizing on his language skills, in 1993 George opened a virtual internet based company, Vice-Versa Translation Services, Inc., offering advertising and technical translations in any language with the help of native certified translators around the globe. George’s mission: “To exceed customer expectations delivering the best quality translations.” Later in 2000, George sailed his motor yacht on an exciting adventure down the rivers from Cincinnati to Miami! After 21 years of operating a home-based business, George obtained a Yacht Broker’s License in Florida, and in 2024 a CPYB Certificate. George is excited to share his passion for boating with his customers, as exceed your expectations!

Born in Venezuela, Jose was introduced to the world of sailing at an early age. By the time he was seven, he was already sailing small boats, competing in regattas, and working at a rigging shop—fully immersed in the sailing lifestyle from the start. In 2008, Jose became a licensed captain and began handling yacht deliveries and working at major boat shows, gaining hands-on experience across a wide range of vessels. Over the years, he established himself within the sailing community, particularly along the east coast of Puerto Rico, where he has spent much of his career working on sailboats. Today, Jose is based in Puerto Rico, where he serves as both a yacht broker and fleet manager for SailCaribe. With a lifelong passion for sailing and a deep understanding of the industry, he brings both expertise and dedication to every aspect of his work.

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Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Andrea has always had a deep passion for the ocean. She joined the Atlas team in 2020 and oversees the administration of our Puerto Rico operations, including the charter division. In addition to her administrative role, Andrea works closely with Scott DeFever in the after-sales and warranty department, helping to ensure a smooth ownership experience for our clients. Her dedication, attention to detail, and love for the maritime world make her an essential part of the team.