With an average age of 27, our staff members are young, dynamic teachers who live aboard with our shipmates 24/7. Most of our core operational staff work full-time as educators with Sea|mester, our college-level marine science program. Others are traditional teachers during the year, joining us each summer to raise our staff to over 50.

Each team member brings unique talents and experience and most have been with us for several years. In fact, 75 percent of our staff return each summer and 56 percent were once shipmates themselves, so they understand the dynamics of an AQ adventure from both teen and adult perspectives. The background and qualifications of our professional staff are as diverse as the activities on an AQ adventure. Still, the AQ staff is united by their love of teaching, their steadfast integrity and their boundless dedication to their shipmates.

Every team member possesses the essential abilities for their particular area of expertise, yet most are multi-talented, combining the many skills necessary to operate a mobile live-aboard training program. Team members include U.S. Coast Guard licensed captains, IYT/RYA Yachtmasters, PADI scuba instructors, marine scientists, Emergency Medical Technicians, Paramedics and other water sport instructors. All staff members are trained first aid responders. New staff applicants are carefully screened to ensure they posses the required qualifications, experience and the ability to be a positive role model for our shipmates. During pre-summer, staff complete an intensive training program in the British Virgin Islands. Safety procedures, risk management, equipment maintenance and operation, itinerary planning as well as instruction in teambuilding and communication facilitation are just a few of the modules covered.

Michael Meighan - Director

Mike’s love of the sea lured him to scuba diving and sailing at the age of 15. At 18, he voyaged throughout the Mediterranean and taught diving internationally before entering
Southampton University in the UK. He graduated with a First Class Joint Honors degree in Oceanography and Marine Biology.

In 1995, Mike assumed the role of ActionQuest marine biologist, oceanographer and scuba instructor. Over the years, his love for experiential learning and the AQ programs led him to become involved in all aspects of operations. His passion for teaching traditional academics in an experiential way led to the development of Sea|mester in 1998. Today, Mike directs all operations and activities in addition to developing new voyages, programs and course curriculums. He sails with the BVI ActionQuest and Sea|mester programs full-time each summer.

The Meighan family has a deep-rooted affection for the water. Mike’s wife Jo spent several summers as a PADI diving instructor with AQ in the BVI, and works in the Sarasota office part-time. Mike and Jo live in Sarasota with their sons Joshua and Kai who are naturally fond of the water and have even sailed with the family in the BVI.

Jim Stoll - Director

Jim spent much of his youth aboard boats. As a young man, he became an avid ocean racer crewing many times aboard legendary racing yachts like Jack Eckerd’s Panacea, S.A. Long’s Ondine and Jim Kilroy’s Kialoa. In 1970, Jim and his wife, Elske, became
owners and captains of the 156-ft. schoolship Te Vega, sailing with her sister-ship, the 175-ft. Te Quest. This is where Jim first combined his passion for the ocean and years of experience to teach young adults sailing and hands-on academics. After 12 years and 50,000 miles of cruising throughout European, Mediterranean, South American and Caribbean waters, the Stolls moved ashore with their children, Carina and Jason.

Jim revisited his passion for working with teenagers when he established ActionQuest. The untraditional programs challenged young adults with high-action adventure and personal growth. The concept was so successful that similar programs like Sea|mester and Lifeworks were developed to further serve teenagers and young adults with both an academic and community service focus.

Travis Yates - Operations Director

Travis joined AQ in 1995, after graduating from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy with a degree in Marine Engineering. Always a sailor, Travis competed at both national and international levels, culminating in a bid for the U.S. Olympic Sailing Team in 1996. Travis holds an MCA/IYT International Master of Ocean Yachts, US Coast Guard Captain’s License and is an Instructor Evaluator for US Sailing. He is also a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer.
 

As Marine Superintendent, Travis is responsible for all AQ vessels and equipment. Travis lives in Sarasota with his wife Laura and children Hannah and Luke.