Helping people is Jami’s passion.  She has been an RN for 29 years many of which were in the Emergency Department.  Jami became a nurse practitioner 10 years ago so that she could help her patients even more. She lived and worked in Miami for most of her life but 3 years ago Jami’s husband and her decided to move to Key Largo full time. One year ago, Jami was honored to become a primary care provider in the upper Keys and serve the patients in our community.  This has been the most rewarding year of her entire career and she am excited to continue help and educate my patients.

When Jami is not working, she loves to be on the boat fishing or relaxing but before they go, she likes to get a workout in.  She also enjoys spending time with her sweet chocolate labs.

Mary Houston, originally from Avon Park, FL, relocated to the Florida Keys in 2013, where she has established herself as a respected figure in the insurance industry. With a career spanning back to 2002, Mary is the proud owner of Houston Insurance Agency in Tavernier, a venture made possible with the steadfast support of her husband Rex Houston, owner of Rex Air. She holds a degree in Business Administration and has earned the Certified Professional Insurance Agency (CPIA) designation, actively pursuing further professional development, including working towards the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation.

Beyond her professional achievements, Mary is deeply committed to her roles as a devoted mother, wife, and influential business leader. Her dedication to community service is evident through her board membership at FIRM (Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe) and her active involvement as an ambassador in the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce, as well as serving as a Chamber Trustee for the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce. Mary is also an active participant in the Upper Keys Business & Professional Women (BPW) and Upper Keys Rotary Club. She passionately supports local educational institutions such as Plantation Key School (PKS), Key Largo School (KLS), Coral Shores High School (CSHS), and various other organizations throughout the Keys.

In her leisure time, Mary finds joy in boating, fishing, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, while cherishing moments spent with her family and friends.

Joshua and Jamie McNew are two local hairdressers that established the Islamorada based J-Kindred salon back in 2017 after Irma.

They’re both passionate about their Florida Keys community they’ve called home for over 18 years.

Joshua and Jamie are parents to four amazing keys kids (Davis, Adelynn, Scotland & Levi) and are a beautiful blended family.

They love supporting other locals and spending lots of awesome time on their J-Kindred boat with good friends & family.

Melissa Ptomey, has been a Keys resident since she moved her the day after graduating college in 2005. She is a marine scientist and research diver with thousands of dives, who knows these Keys reefs very well. She has helped with coral disease monitoring, coral damage response, coral restoration, and coral spawning gamete collection.

She has worked for notable organizations such as NOAA, Everglades National Park, More Marine Laboratory, Florida Fish and Wildlife Organization, Coral Restoration Foundation, John. G. Shedd Aquarium, Adventure Aquarium, and Monroe County Planning and Environmental Resources Department. She also spent a part of her career in human and wildlife forensic science.

She currently owns two businesses: BioBenthic (land use planning/environmental consulting firm) and Island Music School in the Upper Keys. She is the co-founder of the Florida Keys Young Republican Club, a Precinct Committeewoman for the Republican Executive Committee, member of the Upper Keys Republican Club, Board Member of the Tavernier Community Alliance, member of Keys Last Stand, member of Islamorada Community Alliance, Keys Accountability Project, and Florida Native Plant Society. She is also currently a candidate for Monroe County Commissioner District 5.

Luke is a true Keys conch and the son of retired Monroe County Judge, Regan Ptomey and assistant to Monroe County Commissioner, Sylvia Murphy, Susie Ptomey. After graduating Coral Shores High School in 2006, Ptomey went on to study Professional Music at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. Ptomey was awarded Islamorada Community Entertainment (ICE) music scholarships to help with college costs. While working on finishing his degree, he joined Endangered Speeches, a touring and recording band and was a studio musician for many other bands/artists.

Florida Keys residents may have seen Ptomey playing with Baga Tricks, the Stone Crabs, and other local musicians. He also has performed in Boston, Philadelphia, New York City, Chicago, and the British Virgin Islands.

He is the founder and principle instructor at Island Music School in Islamorada.Luke is also a certified EMT, Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighter (ARFF), and Fire Fighter at Monroe County Fire Rescue.

Melissa and Luke are proud parents of two boys and love that they get to raise their boys in such a beautiful and unique place

Aloha! Big Kahuna candidate Nick Rodriguez, his wife Christi, and his children Henry (14) and Alex (8) have called the Upper Keys home for over ten years. A longtime restaurant manager, Nick is currently a territory manager for US Foods in Monroe County, bringing his passions for food and people together up and down the highway, from Key West to Key Largo. His other passions include local politics and youth sports, where he has coached and refereed soccer and basketball since 2016. He is the incumbent Chairman of the Key Largo Wastewater District, Vice-Chairman of the Mark Sorenson Youth Sailing Program, and an alumnus of Leadership Monroe’s Class XXIX. Nick is honored to participate in the Big Kahuna event and looks forward to raising money and awareness for the health of vulnerable and underserved communities in Monroe Country.

Born and raised in the town of Casper, Wyoming, Brooke developed a deep appreciation for community, hard work, and the value of home from a young age. At 16, she embarked on a new chapter by moving to the stunning Florida Keys, where she completed my education at Coral Shores High School.

Brooke’s professional journey began at Florida Keys Electric Cooperative (FKEC), where she dedicated 18 years of service and held various roles that honed her skills in leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving. While at FKEC, Brooke pursued higher education and earned a Master’s in Business Administration, a testament to her commitment to continuous learning and personal growth.

In 2006, she ventured into the real estate industry, drawn to the excitement of helping individuals and families find their perfect homes. However, her focus shifted temporarily as I prioritized providing for her family with excellent health benefits, putting her real estate career on hold while she fulfilled this important responsibility.

In 2022, Brooke joyfully returned to her passion for real estate, eager to once again to assist clients in achieving their homeownership dreams. With a renewed sense of enthusiasm and dedication, she is committed to guiding individuals through the buying and selling process with professionalism, integrity, and a personalized touch.

Since 2007, Violet has owned & operated her first business in town . It was a local restaurant business where she serves country and American food, breakfast lunch and dinner . It was great opportunity to meet & be a friend to lots of great locals. She enjoyed every moment.

Violet is also dedicated her time to volunteering for Key Largo School, which allowed her to interact with the youth. She had an amazing time being a chaperone for young kids and helping great teacher’s work behind the seen. She also volunteered at God’s Kitchen.

Violet’s journey has been diverse. Past engagements include serving as insurance agent (440 license) Property and casualty as well as car insurance. Resort manager, which allowed Brooke to interact with different cultures from different countries, and find solutions for any issues or problems they may face independently.

2014 is the year Violet obtained her Real Estate License. She started her journey with Free Wheeler‘s Realty and still maintains her real estate license until present.

2021, Violet become a Rotarian with Sunset Rotary Club. Assisting our great community is a passion of hers. Followed by amazing privilege being a member of the Upper Keys BPW organization.

At the present moment, Violet is operating her home and garden gift shops, Marathon Port Nautical, while waiting for The Key Lime Products building to be completed.

Outside of these commitments, She is passionate in supporting & servicing the elderly, at Crystal Heath senior house, Marr-velous Pet Rescue, and the children’s shelter.

5 years ago Ken moved from Wisconsin to Marathon to take over the Administrative Laboratory position at Fishermen’s Community Hospital. He came with his wife: Samantha and two daughters: Autumn and Aubree. They are saved Christians and are active members of Marathon Baptist Church. Samantha is also serving the community as a Oncology nurse at Fishermen’s as well. The Wolfe family have grown to love Marathon and the and the Keys as a whole and enjoy serving our community.