About Us

Director of Operations: Teak Ackman grew up working on the waters of Narragansett Bay, in his family's business, Oldport Marine. Dedicated to Newport's working waterfront, Teak brings a tradition of maritime trades and a passion for small marine business to Seven Star Marine Engineering. Teak is a graduate from Worcester Polytechnic Institute with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. His talent lies in his dedication to his customers, his eye for a pleasing aesthetic and his attention to detail. Seven Star Marine Engineering was incorporated by Teak Ackman in 2006 and has been his passion and focus since.  Email: teak@sevenstarmarine.net  

Machine Shop Supervisor: Jesse born and raised in Newport, RI – Jesse grew up sailing the waters of Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay.  His first job was working alongside Seven Star Marine’s very own Teak manning launches for Oldport Marine.  In his late teens and early twenties, Jesse delved into the world of competitive sailing with W-Class and TP52 Interlodge, traveling throughout the Caribbean and Mediterranean.  Ready to settle down and fuel his creative aspirations, Jesse paved his own way into the realm of machining. Jesse is trained as a CNC machinist and has developed skills for machine programming along with an eye for detail. Jesse has a fundamental aptitude for creating and working with his hands that was sparked early in life. He brings the skills of a precision machinist along with an understanding the unique needs of machined components for the yachting industry. In his free time Jesse enjoys hanging with his dog “Tug” and tinkering with motorcycles and gear of all descriptions.  His current project involves raising his kid.                                                                                                   Email: jesse.r@sevenstarmarine.net

Office Administrator: Sue hailing from Lancaster County, PA, Sue became enchanted by Newport’s seaside charm during family vacations with her cousins - the Ackmans.  Her love for the area grew as she spent her college summers working alongside the Ackman family at Oldport Marine.  After university, Sue became an established member of the Newport community teaching mathematics at the local high school.  As her family grew, Sue switched career paths from teaching to bookkeeping in order to accommodate her change in priorities.  Sue has been bookkeeping at Seven Star Marine for the past thirteen years.  In her spare time she enjoys painting, sewing, walking and spending time with her two children and husband.      Email: sue.k@sevenstarmarin

Service Technician: Leo began working in the maritime trades, teaching sailing in Boston Harbor. This inspired him to apprentice as a shipwright at the Samples Shipyard in Boothbay Harbor Maine. He then worked for ten years restoring large traditionally built wooden vessels in Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Leo joined Seven Star's team in 2016 since which time he has focused his training and work on marine hydraulic systems. He is a member of the Fluid Power Society and trained in industrial hydraulics by Rexroth Bosch Canada as well as trained in tube bending by Swagelok. His casual Friday attire has blown the minds of the Newport, RI yachting scene. Despite his devilish good looks, he's not afraid to get a little strategically placed grease on his mug. When he's not at work Leo enjoys bicycling and spending time with his saintly chihuahua, Tiki. Email: leo.b@sevenstarmarine.net    

Administrative Assistant: Zoe grew up on the east coast of Nova Scotia. Her passion for sailing and working in the maritime trades began early as her family spent their time building, restoring, and sailing wooden boats at home and in the family business, Covey Island Boatworks. After studying marine technology at New England Institute of Technology, Zoe spent her early adult life working on yachts around the globe. Since moving ashore she has completed a masters degree program and is back to working in maritime trades and family business. When she's not in the office, she's out riding bikes or messing around on boats with Teak and their four children. 

Freya shop dog since 2015, a boat dog at heart, she spends her days working at Seven Star Marine and her weekends navigating the waters of Narragansett Bay.