Meet The Board
Capt. Andoni Lisgaris
Andoni has been in the sport fishing sector since 2005. He founded Reel Dreams Sport Fishing Charters in 2009, which now operates a fleet of 5 vessels. Andoni is passionate about running a top-notch charter company, promoting Bahamian businesses and boating with his family.
Iola Knowles
Iola Knowles is a director of Sandy Toes, Bahamas, an excursion operation and corporate group venue for domestic and international clientele, located on Rose Island. Iola has been in the tourism business for over 15 years, having started her career with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and the Bahamas Out Island Promotion Board where her focus was promoting the Islands of The Bahamas and the many unique experiences that it offers. After several years of invaluable experiences under her belt, she returned home to Nassau and along with her family, took over her father’s 30-year family business, and started Sandy Toes in 2010. Iola loves boating, beaching, dancing, running, reading, and the outdoors! Her love for her family and her country is the motivation and energy behind everything she does.
Michelle Cove
Michelle is a partner in Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas and has been working in the scuba and watersports industry since 1989. The group of companies operates scuba, snorkeling, SUB, SNUBA and Sea Trek tours in addition to providing watersports and retail for the Albany Resort, Lyford Cay Club and Atlantis Resort. Michelle is passionate about marine conservation and protecting our resources for future generations.
Shaw Knowles
Shaw Knowles is a director of Pieces of 8 Charters, a world-class Bahamian excursion experience, a business owner, a specialised auto, diesel and marine mechanic and a Bahamian registered boat captain.
In 2017, he joined Pieces of 8 Charters, as head mechanic and captain. Since then, he’s actively worked to support the sustainability of Bahamian waters, promote locally-owned businesses and contribute to the marine industry to reap benefits for future Bahamians.
With his specialisation in mercury engines and numerous qualifications in complex systems and outboard engine diagnostic computers, in 2020 he has assisted Pieces of 8 in being rated by trip advisors as being in the top 10% of attractions worldwide.
He graduated from Lincoln Tech in 2008. He then pursued further education at The Marine Mechanics Institute, where he graduated in 2010.
He enjoys family time with his wife and daughter, cooking and modifying motor vehicles.
Krystianna Pinder
Krystianna Pinder is the Accounts Manager at Born Free Fishing Charters. She has been working in this role within the excursion operator sector since November 2017. Aside from keeping the accounts in order, Krystianna also participates in other aspects of the business from booking reservations to checking guests in for their excursions.
Krystianna has always enjoyed boating and exploring the Islands of The Bahamas, it seemed like the perfect fit to join a company that offered these experiences to others. While changing from an office job to one that puts her in the face of customers was nerve racking racking initially, she quickly came to enjoy the interaction with many people that were eager to learn about the Bahamas and participate in activities that the Bahamas has to offer.
Krystianna likes to travel, eat good meals, drink good wine, and spend time with her family and friends.