Four Paths. One Mission.

The story of SAON, LLC — BEST: Boating Emergency Safety Training — did not begin in a boardroom.

It began on different waters… in different states… and even on different continents.

Jose “Joe”, From Madrid to the American Shore

Jose was born in Madrid, Spain, but his journey toward the American dream started early. His family immigrated first to Montreal, Canada, where he lived for two years before eventually settling in Long Beach, New York, a place defined by water, wind, and resilience.

To help him assimilate, his parents began calling him “Joe.” The name stayed. So did the work ethic.

Joe became a U.S. permanent resident in 1969 and grew up on the water. The ocean wasn’t recreation; it was part of life.

In 1986, he enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) in Maryland. His service reinforced something he already understood, preparedness saves lives.

After completing his enlistment, Joe remained in Maryland and in 1989 began a long career with the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services. Firefighting sharpened his emergency response skills, leadership, and calm under pressure mindset.

In 1998, he met Cynthia, they began dating in 2006, married in 2012, and in 2015, Joe proudly became a United States citizen.

Service. Commitment. Dedication. Those values defined him.

He retired in 2020 — but retirement was not the end of his mission.

Cynthia , Service in Her Blood

Cynthia was born in Quantico, Virginia, to a United States Marine father. As a military child, she didn’t just grow up in one town — she grew up everywhere.

She traveled across the country and around the world, spending more than four years in Okinawa, Japan. Adaptability, discipline, and global perspective became second nature.

After returning stateside, she attended school in North Carolina and Georgia before joining the United States Navy. She was assigned to a submarine tender out of Norfolk, Virginia — continuing her family’s tradition of service.

After completing her enlistment, Cynthia moved to Maryland, where she began working for an association management company. Through dedication and precision, she built a respected career in administration and organizational leadership — a role she continues to hold today.

Where Joe was operational and field-driven, Cynthia was strategic and organizational. Together, they were balanced.

James, Maryland Roots

James was born in Elkridge, Maryland. Raised with strong local ties, he built his life in the community.

He worked in the same fire department where Joe served. Though they never worked side by side on the same shift, they knew of each other. Respect runs deep in public safety — reputations travel.

James understood emergency response. He understood teamwork. And like Joe, he understood the cost of unpreparedness.

Kimberly, Baltimore Strength

Kim was born in Baltimore, Maryland — strong, driven, and community-oriented.

She worked where she met James, building both a professional partnership and a life together. Like the others, she understood responsibility, service, and the importance of doing things the right way.

The Move That Changed Everything

In 2020, Joe retired. He and Cynthia relocated to Cape Coral, Florida, a waterfront city built around canals, boating, and sunshine. They bought a home. They bought a boat and they noticed something.

Florida has more registered boats than any other state in the country. Yet too many boaters lacked real on-the-water handling proficiency. Too many emergencies stemmed from inexperience, not bad intent.

Around that same time, James learned Joe was moving to Cape Coral. James and Kim had visited Cape Coral many times. Conversations started.

What if they combined:

• Military discipline

• Fire and rescue experience

• Organizational leadership

• Real-world boating knowledge

• A shared commitment to public safety

What if they created something that went beyond classroom safety cards? What if they required actual on the water proficiency?

The Birth of SAON – BEST

From those conversations, SAON, LLC was formed and they began to work on their business as BEST — Boating Emergency Safety Training

BEST wasn’t built as another certificate mill.

It was built on the belief that:

• Boaters should demonstrate real handling skills.

• Emergency preparedness should be practiced, not just tested.

• Safety is earned through proficiency.

The four founders came from similar foundations — service, discipline, and community, yet each brought something different. Joe, the waterman and firefighter. Cynthia: The organizer and strategist. James, the responder and tactician. Kim, the steady operational partner.

Together, they created a company rooted in experience and driven by mission.

More Than a Business

SAON BEST is not just an LLC.

It is:

• A veteran-led initiative.

• A public-safety-driven movement.

• A response to preventable boating accidents.

• A commitment to raising the standard of boating education.

Four different backgrounds, one shared purpose. To ensure that when boaters leave the dock, they are not just licensed.