Michael O'Connor

Michael O’Connor was raised along the waters of Tampa and Fort Myers, Florida. His upbringing in these vibrant coastal areas instilled a lifelong passion for boating and water activities.

Michael began his career at SYSCO Food Services -Florida, working in regional sales and operations management. This role brought him to South Florida and the Keys, where he enjoyed a variety of power and sailing experiences. Over the course of 19 years, Michael’s career with SYSCO Corporation, Houston Texas, required travel to 47 states. This allowed him to gain expertise in sales, national marketing, and procurement. He developed strong skills in client negotiations and relationship-building, providing comprehensive service from the first meeting through closing the sale and post-sale support.

A major career change allowed Michael to return to the Florida Keys with his family. He opened a West Marine store in Key Largo 1994, marking the start of many years of successful ventures in marine-related businesses.

Michael was offered a new opportunity by a yacht brokerage to represent South Florida and the Keys. This role enabled him to utilize his sales and marketing expertise to develop a broad base of client relationships and secure his future in the industry. Michael is a member of International Yacht Broker Association.

Eventually, Michael and his son collaborated to create Stellar Yacht Sales, establishing an office in Islamorada, Florida. They also launched a service business to support both sellers and buyers. The client base expanded to include Central and Latin America, the Islands, and Canada. In 2018, United Yacht approached them and offered the opportunity to join their team, becoming United Yacht of South Florida.

Michael is now proud to be associated with Spencer Christopher Yacht and Ship Brokerage. He continues to build relationships with current and future clients, maintaining the relationship-focused approach that has defined his career. For Michael, these relationships often grow beyond business, as many clients become valued friends.