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Behind Ignition Marine

Meet the Team

At Ignition Marine, the strength of the company lies in the expertise and dedication of its team.
Each member plays a vital role in ensuring the success and growth of the company, contributing to the delivery of high-quality services.
Our team members are carefully selected for their skills, experience, and passion for marine engineering.
mehrab zargari + meet the team

Mehrab Zargari​

President
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octavia arpanahi + meet the team

Octavia Arpanahi

Upholstery/Canvas Directing Manager

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alptekin gunhan + meet the team

Alptekin Gunhan

Operations Manager
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Murphy Nil

Parts Division Manager

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tony lavin + meet the team

Tony Lavin

Yacht Sales Manager

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robert ksyniuk + meet the team

Robert Ksyniuk

Yacht Sales Consultant

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robert calis + meet the team

Rob Calis

Yacht Sales Consultant

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mary akbari + meet the team

Mehrnoush Akbari K

Strategic Account Manager
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Sami Abdolahi

Upholstery/Canvas Manager

Octavia Arpanahi

Upholstery/Canvas Directing Manager

As Managing Director of the Canvas and Upholstery Department, Octavia Arpanahai combines her engineering background with an MBA and professional certifications in Project Management Professional (PMP) and Risk Management Professional (RMP) to deliver exceptional service and quality in the marine industry.

With extensive experience working on commercial vessels, including notable projects for Celebrity Cruises and Quantum of the Seas, Octavia brings a wealth of knowledge in managing complex upholstery and canvas projects.

Octavia is adept at handling projects within budget and on schedule, ensuring that both commercial and private yacht services meet the highest standards of craftsmanship and client satisfaction. Her engineering acumen, coupled with her strategic management skills, allows her to effectively oversee the execution of projects, fostering both innovation and efficiency.

Octavia’s commitment to excellence in the canvas and upholstery sector, alongside her ability to navigate the unique challenges of marine service, positions her as a key leader in enhancing vessel aesthetics and functionality. With her at the helm, clients can expect a seamless integration of quality, timeliness, and professional service. 

Alptekin Gunhan

Operations Manager
As Operations Manager at Ignition Marine, Alptekin Gunhan brings a wealth of expertise and a solid educational foundation, including an MBA and Six Sigma certification. His distinguished background in marina management in Turkey has positioned him as a key contributor to driving organizational success through effective systemization and agile management practices.
Leveraging his extensive knowledge, Alptekin has successfully streamlined operations at Ignition Marine, enhancing workflow digitization and improving efficiencies in managing service departments for both commercial vessels and pleasure yachts.
Alptekin’s commitment to operational excellence and innovation ensures that Ignition Marine remains at the forefront of the maritime industry. His leadership fosters a culture of continuous improvement and enhances client satisfaction through reliable and agile service delivery.
Dedicated to optimizing processes and elevating performance, Alptekin Gunhan plays a pivotal role in the ongoing success of Ignition Marine.
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Murphy Nil

Parts Manager
As the Parts Manager, Murphy Ni brings over 20 years of extensive experience in the marine industry, specializing in parts management for commercial vessels and pleasure yachts. Holding a B.C.T.Q Red Seal designation as a Parts Person and an Aircraft Maintenance Diploma, he combines technical expertise with a commitment to operational excellence.
Murphy has a proven track record in managing parts for major engine manufacturers, including both diesel and gas applications. His strong relationships with local and international suppliers ensure timely procurement and effective inventory management, enhancing service delivery and operational efficiency.
In his role, he oversees the ordering, receiving, and storing of parts, while also maintaining meticulous records for warehouse operations. His previous positions have equipped him with exceptional customer service skills, a deep understanding of maintenance compliance, and the ability to communicate effectively with all stakeholders.

Tony Lavin

Yacht Sales Manager
Tony Lavin is a highly regarded Yacht Sales Manager, celebrated for his extensive expertise in the yachting industry, including a strong background in marketing. With a lifelong passion for boating, Tony brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his role.
His comprehensive understanding of yacht design, performance, and current market trends empowers him to offer clients invaluable insights, ensuring they make informed decisions when selecting the ideal vessel to suit their lifestyle and aspirations. Tony leverages his marketing expertise to effectively position yachts in a competitive marketplace, maximizing visibility and appeal to prospective buyers.
Distinguished by his vast network of industry connections, Tony has developed strong relationships with boat builders, designers, and fellow brokers, facilitating the successful negotiation of high-profile transactions. His unwavering commitment to client satisfaction and professionalism ensures that each engagement is handled with the utmost care and attention.

Robert Ksyniuk

Senior Yacht Sales Broker

Robert’s journey into the world of boating commenced at a young age, inspired by his family’s deep-rooted passion for lakes and rivers. By age 14, he had already constructed his first boat, igniting a lifelong devotion to the aquatic world. This fervor blossomed into extensive backcountry exploration and photography, ultimately evolving into a flourishing career in yacht sales. Currently, Robert manages the Victoria sales office, where his leadership and expertise shine.
What distinguishes him in the competitive yacht brokerage landscape is his meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment to his clients. He is dedicated to guiding customers in finding their ideal yacht and ensuring a seamless selling experience. With a wealth of knowledge and a genuine passion for the yachting industry, Robert works diligently to advocate for his clients’ best interests.
With Robert by your side, you can trust that you are in the hands of an expert who values both the art of yachting and the nuances of the marketplace.

Rob Calis

Yacht Sales Broker

Rob Calis is a seasoned professional with a deep passion for boating, bringing over 20 years of experience to the yacht sales industry. His love for the water has been a central part of his life, leading him to recently transition into yacht sales as a broker at the Vancouver office. Alongside his boating expertise, Rob has enjoyed a successful career in the technology sector, having founded a pioneering company in 1986 that brought interactive video conferencing to the desktop. In 1994, he was recognized as one of British Columbia’s Top Business Performers under 40 by Business in Vancouver.

His background also includes serving on Canada’s Sectoral Advisory Board for Information Technologies for four years, where he advised on various telecommunications issues. As the Founder and President of Inevitable Technologies Inc., Rob has specialized in developing innovative antenna solutions tailored to customer needs.
His remarkable achievements include creating a revolutionary Low Profile, Ultra Wide Bandwidth Antenna, showcasing his dedication to cutting-edge technology. His extensive background in technology, combined with his love for boating, allows him to integrate innovative solutions into the boating experience. Rob’s commitment to client satisfaction and vast knowledge of the boating world uniquely position him to assist clients in finding their perfect vessels.

Mehrnoush Akbari K

Strategic Account Manager

Mehrnoush is a dynamic Account Manager equipped with a robust engineering background and an MBA, complemented by a Risk Assessment Certificate and ISO 9001:2015 Internal Auditor certification. Her diverse skill set and strategic mindset enable her to effectively oversee multiple departments while delivering exceptional value to clients.

With extensive experience collaborating with various companies, Mehrnoush excels in developing comprehensive business and marketing plans tailored to meet specific organizational goals. She is proficient in the implementation of these strategies, ensuring alignment across departments and optimizing workflow through effective systemization.

Mehrnoush’s focus on continuous improvement and adherence to quality standards positions her as a pivotal force in driving operational efficiency. Her analytical skills and commitment to excellence enable her to assess challenges and deliver impactful solutions that enhance business performance.