Born in the Azores and now a Narragansett local, João has been sailing the bay since childhood. An avid amateur sailor and ASA-certified instructor, he has competed in regattas across Rhode Island and raced dinghies for UMASS Boston. João’s professional experience includes work with premier builders such as Carbon Ocean Yachts and New England Boat Works, where he specialized in composite fabrication, structural assembly, and yacht finishing. He contributed to several high-profile builds, including the 50-foot carbon fiber Duende (designed by Steve Koopman and Dirk Kramers, 2022) and the Mini-Maxi 72 Bella Mente (2015).

Role at Grand Prix Resources

As a Composite Technician at Grand Prix Resources, João applies his expertise in composite construction, repair, and refinishing to ensure the highest level of craftsmanship across all projects. His work encompasses systems installation and maintenance, diesel engine service and repair, gelcoat and yacht coatings application, and precision varnish work. With additional training in CNC and machine programming, João brings technical accuracy and versatility to every stage of vessel construction and service.

Education and Credentials

• B.A., University of Massachusetts Boston

• SAMI Program Certificate, New England Tech — Machine and CNC Programming

• ASA Certified Sailing Instructor