Meet Our Team
- Sales Department
Chad Hovsepian
Position: General Manager
Phone: 352-475-3434
Chad co-founded Lake Area Watersports in 2004 and has been faithfully serving customers all over Florida since. He and his family love extreme sports on and off the water. Chad’s favorite thing to do on the water is cruise as a PASSENGER in someone else’s boat! If he’s not at the shop, you might find him riding his dirt bike with his family, working around the house, or announcing a sporting event at the local high school.
Carrie Carter
Position: Sales Assistant
Phone: 352-475-3434
Carrie is very organized and ready to help you find your dream boat! She loves enjoying the water, cruising and skiing. Something you may not know about Carrie? She hunts gators! Her largest kill was 13’3” in Palatka, FL.
Robby Sherril
Position: Sales
- Service Department
Thom Jones
Position: Shop Foreman
Phone: 352-475-3434
Thom has spent just as much time behind the boat as he has working on them. While he’s an avid barefooter, these days he prefers surf speeds. He’s a sucker for cute animals and beat up old vehicles and despite the shiny boats he takes care of, Thom thinks everything should be sprayed with bed liner!
Nathan Jones
Position: Factory Certified Technician
Phone: 352-475-3434
Nathan is quick to jump up to help with just about anything at the shop. He’s pretty much good at everything we task him with (and more)! When Nathan is behind a boat, he likes to barefoot ski or wakeboard. Something you may not know about Nathan is he rides dirt bikes and works on cars!
Braxton Kolomitz
Position: Factory Certified Technician & Service Advisor
Jonathan Badillo
Position: Lead Detailer
Tyler Jones
Position: Technician
Hector Otero
Position: FACTORY CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN
- Administrative Department
Wendy Baxley
Position: Office Manager
Buddy Boy
Position: Operations, Supervisor & Boat Tester

Unbeatable Customer Satisfaction in Sales, Service & Products
Whether you’re looking for a new or used boat, getting your boat serviced, or the latest and greatest in new apparel and gear, we have you covered! At Lake Area Watersports we pride ourselves with a knowledgeable staff, excellent customer service, and the best options of new and used boats from the top brands in Melrose, FL and surrounding areas. Stop by or call us today so that we can make your next boating venture a breeze!