Legasea Marine Crew
Not many people can claim they were born to be in the business they are in, but Chris can. His father, Chris Hall Sr., founded Bluewater Yacht Sales when he was a year old. According to Chris, he started to work for the family business as soon as he could wash a boat by himself! Today Chris brings more than 45 years of boating experience to the table. As one of the lead Sales Associates for Bluewater Yacht Sales, Chris was trained from the bottom up in every aspect of the boating business to include marina, service, parts, and sales. Averaging over $25 million in sales annually, Chris achieved New Boat Salesman of the Year 5 times and remained one of the top 3 salesmen at Bluewater Yacht Sales for 7 years.
Chris believes that owning and running his own marine business is the logical next step in his career. His past experiences have given him a unique perspective on how each of the business parts must come together as a whole to meet customer needs and to keep their business for their boating lifetime. “Once a customer…always a customer.” After the sale of the family business in 2022, Chris saw this pivotal moment as an opportunity to take his unique skills and see how they could be used in a new venture. He also knew he wanted to work with his wife, Jennifer, and leverage her leadership skills and dedication in a different kind of “partnership.” Chris is truly in his element as one of the new owners of Legasea Marine and proud to be at the helm doing what he loves.
When not at work, Chris and his family enjoy boating locally and on extended cruises in the mid-Atlantic. Chris says, “I grew up going on countless family boat trips, and I want to share similar experiences with my wife and children. We have also met numerous people along the way who have become friends and some even customers.” He is a salesman at heart, and never loses an opportunity to drum up a conversation with anyone he meets out on the water. Chris is a member of the American Powerboat Association, International Yacht Brokers Association, Virginia Yacht Club and Hampton Yacht Club. His other interests include fishing, diving and racing hydroplanes. Chris resides in Seaford, Virginia with his wife, Jennifer, and their children.
Jennifer had just kicked-off her 25th-year working for the Department of Navy when the notion of acquiring a business became a reality. She had led and managed numerous challenging programs which made the opportunity to explore the marine industry a “no-brainer.” Having excelled in Information Technology Acquisition and Business Systems, she had been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades, most notably the Women in Technology Annual Leadership Awards’ Unsung Hero Award, and the Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association (AFCEA)’s Don IT Excellence Award for Innovation. During the recent pandemic, Jennifer was part of a monumental digital transformation initiative that delivered collaboration, communication, and productivity services in an unfamiliar, mass telework environment. Her efforts helped to transform the way hundreds of thousands of Navy and Department of Defense (DoD) employees worked and remained engaged during the COVID-19 crisis. From 2018-2019, she was selected as part of a special assignment to support a DoD Reform Initiative under the Secretary of Defense. Collaborating with stakeholders from other armed services, she identified IT and Business System Reform opportunities through innovation and proven technology to reduce the department’s attack surface, improve interoperability and increase performance while reducing total cost of ownership. Jennifer prides herself on her accomplishments, but more so the relationships she has built with her teammates and customers throughout her career. It’s these leadership skills and her experiences working with customers from all over the world that have put her in a great position to collaborate with the Legasea Marine Team and Customers to continue to deliver quality products and services. Living in Seaford, Virginia since 2018, she can now be at work in 12 minutes by car or 3 minutes by boat. If feeling ambitious, she can even paddleboard to work!
When not busy at the Marina, Jennifer is undoubtedly involved with her twin 8-year-olds, Christian and Lillian. She is active in their school and home life with the goal of helping them to always pursue their passions. One of her favorite family activities is a sunset creek-crawl, complete with microwaved hotdogs and a bag of chips. “We go in and out of the creeks where we live and admire the always wonderous sunset. Anything to keep the kids away from the TV and focus our minds on the beauty that surrounds us.” She gets excited when her oldest daughter, Madeline, who is married, living, and working in DC, can come home. She notes that being a mom is such a privilege; and hopefully one day the kids will be interested in continuing the “legacy” that she and Chris are building. When the weather is warm, she can be found working in her yard, spending time at the beach, or you guessed it…boating!
Lori has over 20 years of experience in business management and human resources and currently works as the Business Operations Manager at Legasea Marine. She is responsible for all business accounting and ensures each aspect of the business runs as intended and contributes to the mission and vision of Legasea Marine. She is a huge customer service advocate and enjoys being a familiar face with customers answering any of their marine service needs. Whether it’s taking storage calls, giving marina tours or helping a customer with a bill, Lori is the first to resolve our customer needs.
Newport News native, Jessica Morris, is a seasoned marina professional with a career spanning over a decade. Her journey in the industry commenced in 2012 as a dockhand at the Sunset Boating Center in Hampton, VA. Displaying exceptional dedication and acumen, she swiftly ascended the ranks to the position of manager. Jessica played an integral role in overseeing a smooth transition during a significant change in the center’s ownership.
In recognition of her expertise and leadership, Jessica was invited to join the Legasea Marine family. She brings to the table an in-depth, hands-on understanding of all facets of marina operations, ensuring meticulous administration and an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction.
Beyond her professional commitments, Jessica cherishes her personal time spent with her husband and two children. Balancing a successful career with a fulfilling personal life, she embodies the essence of a dynamic professional and a dedicated family woman.
Nick, an Advanced Certified Yamaha Technician, has been honing his expertise in the marine industry since 2007. His skill set extends to mechanical and electrical engineering, boat rigging, troubleshooting, repairs, and equipment installation. He holds certifications in ABYC, Yamaha, Mercury, and Seastar Optimus. Nick is known for his strong work ethic and his natural knack for friendship. He began his career driving trucks for his Uncle Harrell Cook at Cooks Moving during high school, eventually earning his Class A CDL license. Nick made invaluable contributions to FEMA’s disaster relief efforts in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. At the age of 20, he embarked on his marine career with Bluewater Yacht Sales where he crossed paths with Chris Hall, the owner of Legasea Marine. Over time, his passion for the marine industry grew from painting vessels to servicing engines and installing electronics. But Nick’s talents extend beyond the marine world; he has claimed multiple track championships in the NASCAR Late Model Stock Car Division and INEX Legend Car Series, including an undefeated season at Langley Speedway in his hometown, Hampton, Virginia. When not working, Nick enjoys time with his wife, Kayla, his son, Easton, and his faithful companion, Rowdy. His hobbies span from tinkering with his racecar to boating, snowboarding, and coaching Easton’s tee ball team.