Our Staff

Sarah Obexer - Owner
​Sarah’s great grandfather started Obexer’s back in the early 1900’s and she was born and raised around the marina.  While coming up to spend the summers with her grandparents, she started learning the family business at an early age. Whether it be sorting mail with her grandmother who was Post Master, pumping gas on the docks, stocking shelves at the Market, selling boat parts and accessories in the marine store, she has worked in just about every department. After getting a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources, she started running the marina full time in spring of 1998 and his been doing so ever since. Sarah has two boys who both work at the marina and you will be sure to see them all here throughout the Summer. 
Jacob Fields (Obexer) - Pier Staff
​ Jacob is Sarah’s oldest son and has been working at the marina for many years. You can find Jacob out on the pier helping pump gas, backing down trailers and keeping the ramp running smoothly or helping the yard crew. He has a strong passion for the community and a great appreciation for his long time family heritage here in Tahoe and on the West Shore. Jacob is attending Montana State University in Bozeman where he is studying hospitality management and business. He is very active in the outdoors and spends his free time with friends and family on the lake wake surfing and riding dirt bikes. In the Winter when he is not in class you will find him skiing Bridger Bowl with his friends! 
Kaleb Fields (Obexer) - Pier Staff
​Kaleb is Sarah’s youngest son. He started working at the marina in 2024 during his summer break from high school. You will find Kaleb out on the pier checking boats in at the ramp and out on the docks pumping gas. When not in school, Kaleb spends his free time outside with friends and family. He loves to ski, ride his moto and get out on the lake!  
Darren Kramer - General Manager 
Darren is our General Manager who joined Obexer's the beginning of 2010. Darren grew up around boats in Annapolis, MD where he spent his summers on the Chesapeake Bay.  He has a 1970 38’ Chris Craft Commander “Widgeon” and also enjoys sailing his Pearson 31 “Galadriel” which he shares with our Head Mechanic, Trevor Dunn. Darren oversees all departments with our department heads and works directly with our yard, service, parts and mechanical staff on a daily basis in the high season.  He is a Licensed USCG Masters Captain and Yacht & Ship Salesperson.  He has a love for boats and just about anything on the water but his passion for mountains and the outdoors with skiing, biking, backpacking with his wife Cierra and dog Bridger have kept him in Tahoe for the long term. Working for a family owned and operated business has always been a dream of his and there is no better family to work for than Sarah’s. 
Joanne Kilburn - Office / Property Manager
​Joanne is our Office & Property Manager, overseeing the office operations and managing all our commercial and residential property rentals. She moved with her family from Southern California in the spring of 2010 after working in sales for a large transit bus manufacturer. Joanne is married to her husband Aaron, and they have one daughter, Kate. Raised in southwest Michigan, Joanne spent many happy days boating on Lake Michigan with her family, and now she loves working in the beautiful Homewood area at Lake Tahoe. Joanne has truly enjoyed being a part of the Obexer family for over 15 years, and she feels fortunate to connect with so many wonderful customers along the way. Recently, her daughter, Kate, has joined the team and is helping out in the office, bringing an extra level of support to our daily operations.

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Lindsay Chandler - Service Manager
Lindsay is our Service Manager. She started with the Boat Company in the spring of 2011 as a Pier Attendant.  Lindsay moved herself and her dog, Stella Blue, to Lake Tahoe in the Fall of 2010 from the small town of Quakertown, Pennsylvania. Prior to living in the basin, Lindsay had never been on a boat. Needless to say, one season as a pier attendant has solidified her love of the lake and all things boating! You can find Lindsay running around the yard with our mechanics, in the office scheduling your boat maintenance and on the pier training staff on all AIS Inspection protocols.  When she is not working, she enjoys being on her boat, Orange Miss, or traveling to go see live music.
Trevor Dunn - Lead Mechanic
Trevor has been with Obexer’s since 2019 and is our most experienced marine mechanic. Trevor grew up in Oahu and the Bay Area and has been involved in mechanics since a very young age and has a passion for fixing things. Trevor is our Lead Mechanic who helps oversee service and has been around boats for decades. He is well versed in everything from antique wooden boat engines, to small sailboat diesel engines to modern fuel injection engines. He is a Mercruiser and Volvo Certified Technician who loves to learn and continues to advance his education. In his free time Trevor has a strong passion for the outdoors and can be found out on the water sailing and camping aboard his 31’ Pearson “Galadriel”, hiking or running trails in the wilderness or working on his Porsche. Trevor is a key part of our team and we are lucky to have him and his vast skill set. 
Jake Blazek - Lead Service Technician
​Jake was born and raised in Iowa. He studied industrial maintenance and received a degree in Applied Science. After college Jake built turbines along with other pieces of industrial equipment.  He moved to Tahoe in 2014 and started with Obexers as a Service Technician in 2018. Jake has been working on all types of mechanics from tractors to dirt bikes to boats and just about anything, since he was a kid. Jake is a Certified Volvo and Mercruiser Technician who attends annual schooling and works a lot with sterndrive and EFI applications. He has a strong electrical background, good with computers and modern diagnostics and continues to learn a lot from Trevor on older carbureted engines. He loves dirt biking and camping and his love for boats is growing by the day.

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Caleb Dick - Service Technician
Caleb joined our team in 2023, jumped in head first and immediately fit in with the crew. Caleb grew up in Nevada and naturally found Tahoe as home. He is one our mechanics and has a great attention to detail and thoroughness that has made him a great addition. Caleb got in to bike mechanics a while back and loves working with his hands. He enjoys working on his truck, snowmobile, bikes, dirt bike and on and on. Caleb continues to impress in his progression, professionalism and passion. When not working at marina you can find him at The Backcountry in Truckee working on bikes and anything they throw at him. In his free time he is out on the mountain skiing or snowmobiling and exploring new zones and in the summer you’ll most likely find him on the lake with his hydrofoil every free minute he has or bombing down a mountain on his bike or moto.​
Brett Oberacker - Harbor Master / Restoration Foreman
Brett, our longest tenured employee, is originally from the New England moved to the Westshore of Lake Tahoe in 2004. He started working at Obexer’s his first summer in Tahoe and has been with us ever since. Boats have been a part of his life since his childhood days on Cape Cod and they continue to be today. Whether he is out playing on them, launching them or refinishing and or rebuilding them, Brett’s talent and thirst for boating and being around the water run deep.  Having learned from many legendary boat builders around the lake, he has fallen into a passion of refinishing and rebuilding wooden boats during the winter months. Brett is your contact for wood boat restoration. Brett has grown a strong respect for the outdoors and nature along with a love of Lake Tahoe. Here at Obexer‘s Boat Company on the West shore, in the summer you can find Brett with his my amazing staff outside running forklifts performing everyday marina duties and having a good time making sure every day is a good day here on the lake. 
Matthew "Moe" Sweeney - Fiberglass Specialist / Yard Staff
Moe has been with Obexer’s since 2016.  He grew up in Iowa working with his hands at a young age and specializes in fiberglass and paint. He has worked in body shops over the years and has an amazing talent with custom painting on anything from boats, hot rods to motorcycles. During the summer you will see him in the yard operating equipment with the crew and in is off time he is out on his wooden boat cruising the lake and waterskiing or going on Harley rides. During the winter Moe takes his talents into the wood shop and works with Brett on all kinds of wooden boat restoration and repair projects. ​
Ethan Cairns - Warehouse Manager
Ethan, a proud New Hampshire native, made the move to Tahoe in 2009, chasing the call of bigger mountains and deeper powder. To fuel his ski bum dreams, he picked up a gig slinging sandwiches behind the deli counter at Obexers Market in 2011. It wasn’t long before his pleasant demeaner and work ethic caught the attention of the marina staff through their daily lunch orders, and Ethan realized his true calling was out in the boatyard. Over the years, he’s worn a lot hat at Obexers—Pier Attendant, Yard Laborer, Yard Operator, Hauler—and now serves as the Warehouse Manager, keeping the operation running smooth. Ethan’s continued promotions within Obexer’s are due to his hard work ethic, great personality and ability to work well with everyone and be adaptable in all situations. Off the clock, Ethan’s either ripping down fairways, exploring the mountains and lake, or headbanging at your nearest metal show. Whether he’s managing logistics or moshing in a pit, Ethan brings passion and grit to everything he does.         
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Jessie Brewster - Assistant Harbor Master
​Jessie is our Assistant Harbor Master and has been with us since 2012 after she spent three years operating equipment at the Tahoe Keys Marina. She moved to Tahoe in 2000 from Moosehead Lake in Greenville, Maine. It was there that she found her love of boating and all winter activities, which made Tahoe a perfect fit! Jessie is a critical part of our company and her great ability to adapt in any situation, be a leader to the younger staff along with her exception logistics and organization skills have made her contributions to Obexer’s invaluable.  As one of the only female forklift operators and Harbor Masters in Tahoe, she has a true passion for her job, the lake and her crew. In her off time you can find Jessie hanging at the beach, out on the lake and in the winter she spends a lot of time with family and out skiing.  We feel very fortunate to have Jessie on our team!
Clay Evans - Yard Staff
Clay was born and raised amidst the sprawling fields and rugged landscapes of the Great Midwest, where his love for adventure first took root. After relocating to the breathtaking slopes of Tahoe, he dove headfirst into the ski industry, quickly rising from a passionate enthusiast to an expert instructor and coach, shaping the next generation of thrill-seekers. Following years of hard work at Obexer's Market, Clay transitioned to the bustling marina life, where his expertise now spans from the mountains to the water—ready to bring his unique blend of experience, Midwest work ethic, and enthusiasm to whatever challenge lies ahead. Clay has fit in with the team since day one and is first to lend a helping hand wherever its needed. 
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Gino Picardo - Parts Manager
Gino is our Parts Manager who joined the Obexer's Crew in the summer of 24'.  He is originally from the bay area and has been living in Truckee/Tahoe area since 2016.  He enjoys all the things Lake Tahoe has to offer.  He is an avid boater, wake surfer, mountain biker, snowboarder.  You will find Gino out on his boat during the summer or at Palisades Tahoe shredding his snowboard in the winter.  He enjoys helping our mechanics and customers get the parts they need to get out and enjoy Lake Tahoe.
Rachel Saalsaa - Retail Manager
Rachel is the Retail Manager in the Showroom and has been with us since 2017.  She grew up in Salt Lake City Utah, and moved to Tahoe in 2013 to follow her passion of snowboarding.  Although she moved here for the infamous Tahoe winters it was the summertime and incredible lake life that has kept her here. Rachel handles all of our retail purchasing from Reef, O’Neil, HO/Hyperlite, Smith, Yeti, Salty Crew and so on and has brought in a lot of great products over the years that our customers love. Although she focuses on retail, she also helps with parts as needed and wherever she can lend a hand.  Rachel loves spending time out on the water boating, wake surfing and tubing and in the winter she is always out on the mountain snowboarding!
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Charli Haase - Parts / Retail Associate
Charli is from Elk Grove, CA, and grew up playing Soccer and boating with her family on the Delta and Sacramento River. After graduating from UC Santa Barbara in 2021, she wanted to experience being a ski bum for 1 winter season and decided to stay for a Summer as well. After enjoying a full year of the beautiful and everchanging weather, community, and unlimited activities Tahoe has to offer, she knew she wanted to stay here for good. From being forklift certified and working in the Boatyard, to helping the mechanics with boat parts in the Showroom, Charli is always smiling and providing a helpful hand in all operations at Obexer's. She has been such a great addition to our team and you will surely enjoy working with her. In her free time, you can catch Charli snowboarding at Alpine Meadows or wake surfing on Lake Tahoe with her friends.
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Ethan L. - Water Sports Manager
Lauren - Water Sports Assistant Manager
Aaron Kilburn - Lodge Manager / Tech Support... And More
Aaron is skilled in many trades and enjoys a challenge. He truly is a jack-of-all-trades. In addition Aaron manages The Lodge At Obexer's right across the street from Obexer's Marina. During his tenure he managed and helped facilitate the  smooth transition of Obexer's General Store to its new proprietor Dockside Trading Company. He also provides executive assistance to our owner Sarah, which is vital to help keep her busy schedule managed. Aaron also handles posts to our social media accounts. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, or any other place you may find our presence. Aaron previously was owner of AK Pool & Spa Service before moving with his family from Southern California in the winter of 2010. Aaron grew up in Southern California, but has been around the Sierra from his youth enjoying trips to Yosemite as a child, and visiting family and friends in Lake Tahoe. Aaron is married to our Office / Property Manager, Joanne, and they have one daughter, Kate. 
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