Staff

Here To Serve You- Our founder; Bobby Ellis, has been in the marine industry since 1968. Ever want to meet a "self made entrepreneur"? Well...that is the definition of Bobby professionally. Beginning as a teenager working as a technician for a local dealer, his talents were noticed and he was recruited as a Game Warden/Outboard Mechanic for the Georgia Game & Fish Commission Law Enforcement Section in the mid 1970's, Bobby was then, and remains now, well recognized for having a distinguished talent for making marine engines perform as designed. Bobby built Ellis Marine from scratch...working after-hours from his "day job" with Game & Fish, he kept the locals boats up and running right. Getting busier and busier, he decided to leave the state job behind him and started Ellis Marine with a just service truck, a set of tools, and a dream. That hard work and determination turned Ellis Marine into a multi-line dealership in a few years and it's been moving forward ever since. His business focusses? Well, back then...and still now...it is to bring delight to the customer by taking good care of them. To do this, he surrounded himself with professional staff, along with quality products and service. Bobby became a Mercury Marine Certified Technician in 1974 and received Master Technician status in 1979. Even as the owner, he still often lends a technical mind in the diagnosis and repair of hard to find issues. Bobby is a lifetime resident of the area and has been married to his Bride; Diane Ellis for 43+ years. His son, Terry, who also has a passion for service, is the Service Writer at nearby Barnes Tire, which is just down the street from Ellis Marine. Bobby also has a fur-baby pup; "Bailey". When not helping customers at the dealership, he enjoys boating (of course), golfing, catching the occasional fish, and is an accomplished NHRA drag racer, having won numerous contests of speed on the 1/4 mile since the 1960's. Come see Bobby...you'll be glad you did!

Here To Serve You- Angela Smith, our Office Manager. Ever want to meet the strong woman behind all the guys that is the driving force behind them? Well...that's our "Angie". She has been with Ellis Marine for the last 19 years and is well-versed in all aspects of administration of the dealership. She keeps all the "guys" here moving along the path to success. She knows the business like the back of her hand and she's dedicated to the success of Ellis Marine by serving the customers. Her main goal is to serve customers well and see Ellis Marine prosper well into the future by managing the parts and accessories sales and logistics. She also assists Neil and our customers with the "paperwork" that is required in the sale of new and pre-owned boats. Angie is married to her husband; Ralph, and they live here locally. Angie also loves her fur-baby pup "Chilly" and enjoys growing things and has a green thumb. Angie also absolutely loves anything to do with Christmas. She is the driving force behind Ellis Marine's annual Christmas celebrations, where we partner with the USMC "Toys For Tots" program to help children in need. She enjoys boating (of course), catching the occasional fish with the hubby (Ralph pictured here), and like most sophisticated ladies...fine dining. Come see Angie...you'll be glad you did!

Here to Serve You- Ever want to meet a guy who likely has saltwater and outboard oil running in his veins? Well...that's Rod Ellis. He grew up in and around the marine industry at the dealership and handing wrenches to his brother; Bobby. When Rod was still a youngster in elementary school, most kids played with their toys, yet Rod played with outboard motors and motorcycles. At a young age, he wanted to be a Georgia Game Warden like his older brother had been in the 1970's in order to be able to be on the water as much as possible. Rod followed that dream and went to work for the Glynn County Police in 1987 and was one of the first marine patrol officers that agency had. He moved over to the Georgia DNR Law Enforcement Division in 1989, where he rose to the rank of Sergeant managing the Coastal Marine Patrol Unit. Rod was also responsible for leading the team teaching boating operations to new Game Wardens. He remained with DNR-LE until 2005, when he took a lucrative job in the private sector. Rod has always had a hand in the marine business, writing an outboard flat rate manual, and also teaching classes to hundreds of boat dealers on professional ethics during the 1990's at National Marine Manufacturers Association annual conferences. After that brief stint in the private sector from 2005-2008, Rod went back into public safety by being recruited by the Glynn County Board of Education Police protecting Glynn County's K12 students and staff. He rose to the rank of Chief of Police & School Safety in 2010 and remained there until he finally retired from full-time public safety in 2023 to return to the family business. Rod is still a reservist peace officer, yet is following in the footsteps of this brother in the business. Rod is factory trained outboard technician and was made responsible for keeping all State Law Enforcement (DNR) vessels running during the 1996 Olympic Games. Rod enjoys seeing new boaters get into a great boat and enjoy it safely. If a customer is new to boating, Rod can make himself available to show that new boater the ropes and get them started safely on an on the water demonstration. He enjoys boating (of course) and is an avid F1 Outboard Mercury Racing Tunnel boat fan. He enjoys chasing the occasional fish with his friend Chief Kevin Jones of the Brunswick Police. He has been married to his Bride; Katherine Ellis for 16 years. Altogether, they have four grown children. He also is tolerated at home by fur-baby kitty "Bella"...lol. Come see Rod...you'll be glad you did!

Here to Serve You-Ever meet anyone who remembers your name years down the road? Ever had a sales experience that was "fun" and genuine? Well...Neil Sutton is certainly "that guy". He is as welcoming and genuine of a guy as you're ever likely to meet. Sure, he wants to sell you a boat, but more important than that is the easy-going and caring style in which he approaches it. While he knows his products thoroughly and he absolutely wants your business...yet you won't be made to feel uncomfortable with "high-pressure" sales tactics from Neil Sutton! His goal is to know you're happy out on the water with the choices he helps you make in a purchase, and that he wins you as a customer for life. He is a lifelong resident of Coastal Georgia, and he has been with Ellis Marine since 1995. Neil often makes himself available for sales appointments and boat deliveries on weekends and off-hours to meet the customer's life or work schedule...not his. Neil often demos the boats to customers on the water, and like Rod and Chuck, Neil is also a former USGC licensed Captain with literally thousands of hours of safe experience on the water. Neil will be diligent to see that the boater is comfortable before turning the helm over to the new owner. He was recently married in the Spring of 2024 to his Bride, Lori. He has 3 grown children. Outside of work, Neil loves music, raising children, boating (of course) and chasing the occasional fish. Looking for a new boat? Come see Neil...you'll be glad you did!

Here to Serve You-Ever meet a really intelligent "gearhead" that can repair most anything? Well folks...that's Bobby Bean...AKA "Beaner" as we affectionately call him. Beaner started "hanging around" Ellis Marine after becoming buds with Rod Ellis in high school in the mid-1980s. He was a technician at the local Chevy dealership, yet found he really enjoyed boats and had a talent for making them run right. When Rod left full-time employment with Ellis Marine in 1987 to pursue a career in public safety, Beaner came over and took his spot. In that time, Bobby Bean has since distinguished himself as a Master Technician for Yamaha Outboards, the highest achievable level for a technician. He is also factory trained in Mercury Outboards and related systems. "Beaner" tackles the hard problems that may occur from time to time with ease, when such problems may leave other techs scratching their heads. He knows the products and will get you back out on the water worry free. He is married to his Bride; Polly and they have 2 grown children and a houseful of Yorkshire Terriers. Beaner is also an accomplished crew chief on NHRA competition drag racing cars, having crewed for Bobby Ellis, Don Eberly and Kendall Barnes, even winning national 1/4 mile racing events. Beaner enjoys spending time with Polly, catching the occasional fish, taking care of his mother, and oh yes...boating (of course). Come see Beaner...you'll be glad you did!

Here to Serve You-Have you ever met someone who could probably catch fish in their sleep? Well....you guessed it...that's our Chuck Faulk. He has been with Ellis Marine for 25 years. Coming from the automotive parts business, Chuck enjoyed boats and when approached by Bobby some 25 years ago to come aboard, Chuck "jumped ship" from cars to boats. Chuck is an accomplished angler, thus he's really adept at assisting customers in choosing the right electronics, trolling motors, propellers, tops...you name it. He also is the official "test driver" for Ellis Marine and makes certain everything runs properly before turning it over to the customer, Chuck is an absolute pleasure to be around and always has a smile on his face. He is married to his Bride; Sue for 50+ years (WOW!!) and together they have 2 grown children. Chuck enjoys fishing and boating (of course) and is quite the hobby drone pilot. He is also a talented woodworker, photographer and all around handyman. Come see Chuck...you'll be glad you did!

Here to serve you-With all these salty seafarers around the dealership, we needed some "new blood". Christian is a recent addition to the team here at Ellis Marine after being recommended by none other than the Yamaha Service Representative, who sees numerous technicians at work daily...so that's a hard act to follow. Christian is a factory trained technician on Yamaha, Mercury, and Honda Outboards. He comes from a freshwater background and spent the last few years working at a dealership on a freshwater lake, so it's interesting to watching him work his way around these saltwater products. We'll have him swashbuckling in no time and having saltwater run through his veins. He grew up on the coast in Camden County and we're glad he's here and chose to be a part of our team! He's a bachelor and is an avid reader and avid learner of all things boating! Come see Christian...you'll be glad you did!

Although we may all help from time to time, this is Angie's main focus. She'll be glad to get you the parts and accessories you may need for your boat and outboard.

Here to Serve You-Ever meet a girl all the country singers write songs about who can hunt, fish and drive a boat? Well...boaters, that's Miranda Ellis. She grew up around the dealership stocking oil and bringing parts to her dad; Rod Ellis and her uncle; Bobby Ellis. While she was just a tiny little thing, Miranda loved nothing more than blasting across the water on fast watercraft with absolutely no fear (she got that honest by the way...lol). Miranda has shown an interest in the boating business and is learning the many aspects that come with it. She handles many various tasks at the store. Aside from the boating biz, Miranda also has a passion for K9's and has a side-hustle taking care of animals for affluent part-time residents of the area. Her dad and uncle both think she is a "dog whisperer"...lol. Come see Miranda...you'll be glad you did!

"Chilly"-Angie's Fur Baby, who is seen here in formal attire ready for a boat showing. Sometimes Chilly accompanies Angie to the dealership. His Mama sometimes asks Miranda to interpret K9 to human if she's unclear on the message being discussed...lol.