SÓL

Jack Gorman

Captain Jack was born and raised in Maryland, sailing the waters of the Chesapeake. He started sailing as a young boy with his father. He studied at the University of Maryland and served in the US Navy. Jack has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and was trained in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program, where he served on Submarines.
After leaving the Navy, Jack worked as a Nuclear Engineering consultant for 14 years, during which time he obtained a Master’s in Business Administration from Johns Hopkins University. Jack built sea miles in the Navy, successfully delivered vessels, and completed passages throughout his years in the corporate world. Finally, Jack decided to fulfill his lifelong dream of being a sea Captain and left the US. Jack sailed single-handedly across the Atlantic Ocean and has completed many other crossings and long-distance deliveries. Jack has also skippered numerous recreational vessels, including day sail vessels and scuba dive boats, as well as working on Tall Ships.
Jack is passionate about being on the water. He has spent the past 12 years in the Caribbean working in the private yacht industry, running day charters and Captaining term charter vessels with up to 10 guests. Jack is also a qualified Dive Master.

Jack has a contagious joy for life. If you are looking for a fun, exhilarating, yet luxurious vacation, that is exactly what you will get with the SÓL team.

Caroline LaFauci

Caroline grew up on the beach in Massachusetts, developing her love for the ocean and sailing as early as she can remember. After receiving her degree from Bridgewater State University, Caroline’s wanderlust took over, and her passion for traveling began. Eight years ago, she moved to St. Thomas and has been working in the luxury yachting industry ever since. From day sails to luxury term-charters, Caroline has worked on a multitude of vessels sharing her love for sailing, water sports, and the Caribbean Sea with her guests.
Besides travel and sailing, Caroline’s other great passion in life is yoga. She received her 200hr RYT certification in Thailand and has been teaching multiple styles of yoga for the past five years. She is thrilled to offer a yoga program and to create custom classes onboard SÓL.
When Caroline is not sailing or practicing yoga, she loves to hike, snorkel and create art. As your tour guide, she loves to immerse you in the natural beauty of the islands and share her love of exploring and connecting to nature.

Blake Hirschey

Blake is a native of Minneapolis, Minnesota. She grew up spending time cruising the many beautiful lakes and developing a respect for the outdoors. She graduated from the University of St. Thomas, where she studied business management and the Spanish language. With dreams of seeing a different part of the world (and a chance encounter with a group of awesome seafarers while traveling Europe), she would move to Croatia every summer to work as a chef/sole stewardess on small sailing boats, a position she enjoyed for 3 summers. She loved it so much that she decided to move to the Caribbean and make it her career.
Blake is elated to join the SÓL team. Her pleasant, “Minnesota Nice” demeanor and charming personality make her a wonderful Stewardess, ready to greet and care for guests. She loves to whip up cocktails, share wild travel stories, and will make you feel right at home!

Mallory Patterson

Mallory grew up in Kawkawlin, Michigan spending her summers sailing on the Great Lakes. She graduated from Johnson and Wales University with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management and a concentration in Sales, meeting, and event management. After graduation, she managed a romantic Inn in Asheville, NC, and went on to manage and chef in restaurants, catering companies, and restaurant development. She loves to sail, free dive, water ski, scuba, cook and travel.

She has been a successful yacht chef since 2013 and obtained her Yachtmaster, Aida 2 Free diving certification, and Rescue scuba Diving during this time.

Sara Nelson

Sara was born and raised on a farm in North Dakota. Although seemingly landlocked, she enjoyed spending summers at the family lake cabin in nearby Minnesota.

Her parents raised her amongst many friends and family, always entertaining guests. Instilling a warm sense of hospitality in her personality from a young age.

Having been raised on a farm, surrounded by agriculture and produce from the garden, her relationship with food has always been an important one. She is passionate about knowing where food comes from and sources the freshest, locally grown produce and freshly caught fish.

With over 6 years of experience cooking aboard yachts, a yacht chef certificate, and a year of cooking privately land-based, Sara is thrilled and ready to welcome guests aboard SÓL for a sensory experience.