C A P T A I N | Kennon Jones
C H E F | Stephanie Simpson


Capt. Kennon Jones
Originally from Georgia, Kennon has been sailing since 2011 when he decided to buy a 23’ sailboat from craigslist for $500. It was all downhill from there as sailing fever took hold. He went on to complete a two and a half year double handed circumnavigation (2018 – 2020) aboard his 1971 Tartan 34C Temujin which he still lives aboard and cruises in the off season. With over 33,000 nautical miles of experience, he holds a USCG Master Near Coastal license and works as a freelance captain for deliveries, charters, and sailing/cruising instruction. Prior to making a living on the water, Kennon worked for the Department of State in Washington, D.C. and extensively cruised the Chesapeake Bay. He has a degree in Economics and Chinese (Mandarin) from Wake Forest University and speaks Spanish, French, Mandarin, and Italian as well as bits of Indonesian, Russian, and Arabic. When not sailing Kennon enjoys scuba diving, spearfishing, wakeboarding, reading, dabbling in data science, and continuing to avoid climates where socks are necessary (though an exception is made for snow skiing).

Chef Stephanie Johnson
Stephanie was raised in beautiful Oregon but has spent 20 years throughout the Caribbean. She feels lucky to be able to call both naturally beautiful spots home. After graduating with a Marine Biology degree Stephanie discovered the yachting industry which combined her love of adventure, marine life, sharing food, meeting new people, and generally celebrating life.

Stephanie and her husband owned their own 72ft boat for 15 incredible years. They chartered all winter and traveled in the off season. When her husband passed away she decided she wasn’t done being on the water and had more to learn and explore so, she is back for more adventure. She holds a 100ton USCG Captains license but, on Ventana, she is excited to share her cooking skills developed in the Pacific Northwest and honed on her travels around the world.

Stephanie’s cooking tends to be on the lighter healthier side bringing in as many of the local ingredients as possible. However, her motto in life is, “Everything in moderation, including moderation!”