ABOUT US

Kurt & Lisa Backus

Owners

Kurt and Lisa met in Texas and moved to Georgia in 1992 when Kurt accepted a position with Canon USA. They both fell in love with Lake Lanier as soon as they saw it and ultimately purchased a home and more importantly a Supra Boat at the first Atlanta Boat Show they visited. The next Atlanta Show was even more memorable in that Kurt discovered the Supra and Moomba lines had become available in the Atlanta market. Lisa still looks back at this time and laughs, “if only I had known dropping him off at a boat show, we would end up with more than a new boat…we had a new dealership full of boats!”

From here, it is truly an example of the American dream in action and execution. They started Atlanta Marine with a standard loan at a rate of 13.9%, purchasing two boats and used a credit card advance for the down payment. They started selling boats out of their driveway replacing one at a time as Lisa could afford to go pick a new one up from the factory in Tennessee. For three years, Lisa ran the day to day activities of the business while Kurt worked at Canon, coming home at night to handle service, rigging, and just about everything else together. With the biggest smile on his face, Kurt resigned from Canon and they both focused all of their efforts to growing the dealership. The red boat in the picture is the first boat they ever sold on the day that Lisa got their business license. Since then, this customer has bought another boat from us and still has the Moomba Boomerang as well.

Today, Atlanta Marine has 6 locations, represents 5 of the best lines in the industry and employs over 30 people. The personal touch that Kurt and Lisa have given every customer can still be seen today. They strive to build a straightforward, honest, and no pressure sales team that invites you into their “family.” Kurt and Lisa have been together since 1981 and have 3 sons. The Backus family still has the same passion for boating and can be found on the lake before and after work. They invite you to come meet the team, enjoy the boats, and maybe become part of the Atlanta Marine Family which is almost 10,000 and growing!

Stephen Backus

F&I Manager and Sales Associate

Stephen’s middle name should be water. The lake has always been at the center of his life. Having grown up on Lanier, he developed a passion for water sports of all kinds. There’s nothing he won’t do behind a boat – besides fishing. (He has neither luck, nor patience for it.) Stephen landed on the UGA Ski Team in college and competed with other schools thru the Southeast before graduating in 2015 with a degree in Finance. He also became a Certified Advanced Open Water Diver, so he goes scuba diving and snorkels any chance he gets.

Stephen even found a girl at the lake that loves the water as much as him. He proposed to Jackie on a Bennington pontoon and married her in July 2018. They plan to build a house on the lake as soon as possible.

Stephen enjoys using his degree and experience in the boating business to help put together deals so people can realize their dreams of owning a boat. In his spare time (off the lake) he not only buys and collects guitars, but plays them and any other instrument he can put his hands on. He is in a band and enjoys writing music as a group.

Jay Stewart

Bennington Pontoon Product Manager

Jay has been in boating and water sports since the young age of nine (38 years so far)! Barely a year after graduating from Auburn University in 1994, he officially jumped into the marine industry in Suwanee, GA. His first job gave him a ton of experience because he did it all – Service Writer, Warranty Administrator, Parts Manager, Delivery Captain and Yard Guy. It didn’t take long to realize selling boats was going to be a better fit.

In 1997 he moved back to Auburn for a boat sales job. Within a year or so, Jay got a great bonus – his best friend’s sister, Ashley as his wife. They decided to move to Georgia to be closer to her parents in 2001. Jay has been on “Boat Row” ever since, and started his career here in 2015 as the Product Manager of Bennington Pontoons.

Jay loves Benningtons and the customers that choose them. It’s great … Everybody is happy!! He said, “It’s been a lot of work, but also a lot of fun! I wouldn’t change a thing!”

Jay and Ashley have three children – Hadyn (14), Maddie (11) and Jack (5). They love boating and watersports. Every Sunday you can find them on the water making memories.

Scott Zeh

Robalo Product Manager

Scott is an actual customer of Atlanta Marine’s when he ordered his 2006 Supra 21V from Kurt and Lisa. Since then he’s owned a Chaparral 264 and is currently enjoying the water on his Bennington pontoon boat. He is such a boat enthusiast, and lingered so long, we gave him a sales job here in 2014. He became the Robalo Product Manager shortly thereafter, but enjoys selling our entire product line. You will certainly have a great experience finding YOUR perfect boat with Scott Zeh!

Scott lives on Lake Hartwell with his wife Kelly. His son Travis and his wife Mindy are the proud parents of triplets making Scott a proud grandparent of two girls and a boy all at once.

Ronnie Martinez

Technician at Bennington Office

Ronnie owned a boat at the ripe old age of twelve! That was the way life was in Key West. Having grown up on the water, Ronnie has always had a passion for boats. Where can you go to find one man with 41 years of experience working on boats? Well, since 2015 he’s been here with us!

In the late 90’s Ronnie won Second Place in the Offshore Racing World Championships on his boat “Kracked Conches.” Aside from that major achievement, Ronnie’s greatest joy comes from his family. He’s been married for 32 years! He has three sons, two daughter-in-laws (soon to be three) and one precious granddaughter that has Ronnie wrapped around her finger! Barely a day goes by that he’s not showing off a picture or video of the sweet girl!

Mike LaMacchia

Supra & Moomba Product Manager

Mike is “double-trouble.” Not only a twin to brother Nick, but he is the product manager of two boat lines! He got a Bachelor’s Degree from University of Tampa, where he played soccer. After 26 years in Florida, Mike made the move here to Atlanta in January 2018 with his fiancé, Sammie (whom he plans to wed in November). Sammie taught Mike to wakesurf eight years ago and he began competing professionally four years ago. Sammie competes at the Semi-Pro level.

Mike’s favorite hobbies include soccer, traveling and anything behind the boat!

Vinny Knapp

Sales Associate at Surf Headquarters

Vinny ran cross country and track all thru middle school and high school. He got a full-ride scholarship but turned it down to pursue his passion in life – wake boarding. And pursue it he did! Vinny was nominated for Wakeboarding Move of the Year in 2009. He was the first wakeboarder to do a flip off a waterfall! He won the overall GA Wakeseries in 2016 and 2017, AND finished 15 overall in the world for wakeboarding in 2018!!

It was a no-brainer for Vinny to get a job in the boating business. He started in 2004 rigging boats. He joined our team in January 2018 as a sales rep and pro rider. Aside from wakeboarding, he enjoys spending time with his family, traveling and getting other families out of the water.

Scott Ledwith

Chaparral Product Manager

Scott’s love for all things boating began as a teen, detailing and doing boat show work for a local marina. After a brief stint as a police officer, he started his own detailing business. That brought him to our doors in 2011 to start an amazing career – first, as our Service Manager. The following year he moved into sales at our Hideaway Bay Marina location. Since being promoted to Chaparral Product Manager two years later, Scott has helped land us in the Top 10 Dealers in the World for Chaparral, with a most recent award of being a Top 5 World Dealer!

Scott feels very lucky to work with such great people. He also enjoys the bond he’s made with his customers and getting to see their families making memories on the water.

Scott married the love of his life over 17 years ago. Together they have a perfect 10 year old boy. In his spare time he enjoys boating with his family, lying by his pool, exercising and watching his son play sports.

Michael Norris

Baja Product Manager

Michael started “in the biz” 22 years ago as a young kid working around the marina washing and cleaning boats. He spent many years as a marine technician. He came to us in that role in 2014. Michael moved up the ladder into sales, and was recently promoted to Baja Product Manager.

Michael’s passions are hunting, boating and spending time with his two lovely kids. There is hardly a weekend that passes without them enjoying the great outdoors together! It doesn’t get much better than that!

Justin Gillespie

Technician at Hideaway Bay Office

Justin started his technical skills as an auto mechanic, but soon learned he had more passion for working on boats. He has been in the marine industry for a little over six years spanning from the coast to here on “Boat Row.” Justin was a much needed addition to our Hideaway Bay location in March of 2018.

With a total of sixteen years together (six of which, being married), Justin and his wife will be celebrating their son’s first birthday in mid-October. Family togetherness is very important to Justin and he enjoys spending time with his extended family in his down time.

Cynde Martin

Parts Manager

Cynde started in the marine industry at a Florida marina/ship store back in 1994. Thankfully she headed north and settled with us in 2011. Cynde works along side of her husband, Dave. He is a highly experienced, certified technician in our service department. Together they have four kids and seven grandkids! They own a 24’ Switzer go fast boat and love spending time on it.

Tim Kirby

Service Advisor

Tim has been with us two years so far. He came from a 40 year career in grocery store management. He decided to change directions because boating has been his passion since 1972. Tim bought his first boat when he was only 17. He is a big enthusiast of all water sports.

Tim’s other passion is snowboarding. He’ll have to do a little traveling to keep that hobby going! When asked his greatest accomplishment in life, he said, “Making it to 58!” Tim is married with two kids and two step-kids.

Nicole Sosnow

Sales

My name is Nicole Sosnow. I was born and raised in Suwanee, GA and have been boating on Lake Lanier since 1992. I grew up in my family’s boat business, which is where my passion for boats began. My childhood memories are full of, hot summer days spent on the lake, taking naps in the cuddy cabin of our red and white Wellcraft, and naming the make and model of a boat from a mile away. As I got older, and water sports became more popular I learned to wakeboard, water ski, slalom and barefoot, at Lake Lanier Water Ski Camp and to this day, enjoy wakeboarding the most. I could go on and on about why I love being around boats and water but cutting to the chase…Lake Lanier is my happy place.

I graduated from The University of Alabama in 2014, with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management. I spent 3 years working in Logistics, but had become more determined and intrigued with pursuing a career in which, I could express my passion for selling boats. In 2018, that dream came true and I began my position in Sales. Atlanta Marine has given me the opportunity to spread my wings and utilize my degree to help run the day to day operations, of their Pre Owned Center on Lake Lanier. I am motivated to find a connection with each customer and enjoy getting to share my knowledge and passion for boats and the fun of the boating lifestyle. I am very thankful to work with people who are honest, humble, genuine, and LOVE boats.

A little more personal info…My boyfriend and I recently moved to the City of Buford. He is from Savannah, GA and grew up on the coast. That being said I really enjoy getting to share being a “local” with him. When we are not on the lake, you can find us playing golf, working out, enjoying a concert, or eating hot wings somewhere! We are both big fans of the Atlanta Braves and the Atlanta Falcons and love watching college football too, Roll Tide and Go Jackets. I am lucky to have found someone who shares the same interests as me…especially boats! We look forward to summer time and having fun in the sun out on the water!

Tom Koetter

Tom Koetter born 1960, graduated Loyola University
Spent 20 years in the Martial arts/fitness industry
Married to Debbie Koetter for 30 years (best thing that ever happened to me)
Have (2) gorgeous girls Emilie and Angelina
Emilie graduated from University of Georgia and is a nutritionist in a local hospital. She has 2 children, my awesome grand babies, Violet 2yrs and Henry 3 months
Angie came to us at 2.5 years old, just graduated from Kennesaw University and recently got out of the military after 6 years of service
Raised the girls in a log cabin where we heat full time with firewood and hunt for the meat we eat
Have spent the last 21 years in the boating industry
Love spending time with family, especially on the water at our little log cabin on Lake Nottely
Hobbies include boating, jet skiing, slalom course skiing, barefooting, wakesurfing and hunting

Daniel Linhart

Sales Manager at Oconee

Born in Chicago, IL. Dan has grown up in Georgia. He currently lives in Jefferson. With his family owning a lake home on Lake Sinclair his love for being on the water and boats started at a young age. He started in the boating industry in 2005 as a boat detailer and mechanic at Dream Marine, moved away from the boating industry briefly to manage a local computer warehouse. Coming back into the boating industry in 2015, owning his own boat transportation company. Being very successful in this industry he decided to take his love for boats to the next level. Today he is the Crest product manager at our awesome Lake Oconee store. Dan married his wife Kasey 13 years ago. Together they have three very active children. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his family, boating, grilling, hunting, and watching his children play sports.

Martha Meyers

Office Manager

Martha is our long-timer. Her smile has greeted people here since 2000. She has worn several “hats” thru the years within her Office Manager position, but bookkeeping has always been her first and foremost job. She takes pride in doing her job well and holds herself to the highest standards.
Not a day goes by without hearing a laugh (or a song) coming from Martha’s office. Nothing and no one can keep her down (or quiet) for long. She loves life, but if there’s something she doesn’t care for – you’ll know about it! More often than not, she wears her “sassy pants” to work and keeps us on our toes. Martha married her soul mate in 2020. They met 34 years prior on a family vacation. Thankfully for Facebook, they reconnected in 2019 and the rest is history. Laughing, singing, dancing, DIY projects, enjoying life with her dream man and loving God are her passions in life; and she lives life to the fullest.

Larry Sosnow

PreOwn Center Manager

Ever since 1973 when his family purchased their first boat, Larry became a self proclaimed “Boat Nut”. Those memories of fun lake days and nights cemented a long-term dream of someday having his own dealership to help others in making a lifetime of fond memories too. In the mid 1990’s, after nearly a decade in the Automotive Aftermarket, the dream became a reality. Almost 20 years later and selling close to 10,000 boats, he decided it was time to sell the dealership.
Larry lives in Suwanee with his beautiful wife of 31 years. Together they have 2 lovely grown daughters, Nicole and Natalie. Getting out on the water is still a favorite pastime but also likes tinkering with cars and following College and Pro Football.
August 2019 Larry joined the Atlanta Marine Team to assist in growing the Pre-Owned and Brokerage markets. His passion for Boats is as strong as it was back in 1973. He is determined to continue to make dreams come true for anyone wanting to join the “Boating Lifestyle”.