Lara-Jo 'LJ' Houghting

Charter Marketing & Luxury Yacht Charter Broker America

Lara-Jo joins CharterWorld as a seasoned professional knowledgeable about all aspects of the business: Time spent as a stewardess and massage therapist gave her solid experience of life on board before she made the move into marketing, management and sales.

Her land-based career began as a Boat Show Coordinator and Yacht Sales Coordinator to Charter Marketing at the Sacks Group Yachting Professionals from 2002 to 2005, moving on to become a Charter Fleet Manager at Northrop and Johnson until 2010, then at Churchill Yacht Partners until mid-2020.

A driven nature and true passion for the travel and hospitality industry brings LJ constant personal and professional development. She so far holds a Bachelor's Degree in Social Sciences, numerous diplomas in massage therapy techniques and alternative healing, is a committee member of the International Yacht Brokers Association Charter Professionals Committee as well as being a member of MYBA.

Originally from South Africa, now a proud American Citizen, she has and continues to travel extensively, working from warm and sunny Florida with the beautiful Caribbean and Bahamas yacht charter grounds close by.

LJ’s favourite charter areas include Alaska and the Galapagos for wildlife viewing, the Exumas for solitude, the Cyclades for fun, and the Amalfi Coast for culinary experience.

Charter Marketing & Luxury Yacht Charter Broker Lara-Jo 'LJ' Houghting is well known in the yachting industry and has a stellar reputation with owners, clients, captains, crew and media connections established over 20 years. With a true passion for travel and hospitality, her focus is serving a quality experience rather than quantity for an elevated charter experience

“We didn’t realize that 84-days of charter per year was attainable until we elected LJ as our Charter Manager” - Owners, Far Niente 40m Westport.

“After working with LJ Houghting as a client broker for a charter we had a few years ago, we requested that she took over our charter management as we were blown away by the amount of work that she puts into the charter and the support she offered us from the start of negotiations all the way through to post charter communications and closing. We are extremely happy we made that decision because our charter client base is continually growing and she goes the extra mile with everything she does. She’s always looking to improve the marketing and coming up with fresh ideas which helps to keep the crew motivated and on point. We really feel like we are part of a family with all of her fleet helping each other out whenever we can.” – Captain Chris Thomson, Yacht LADY JOY, 157’ Christensen

“LJ rises above the rest in service to owners and potential charterers. We have been with her for over 13 years and 2 yachts because of her responsiveness, ability to obtain 16 weeks of charters each year, and personal attention. She works with us on all aspects of marketing, interviewing potential crew and securing favorable terms for charters. LJ goes above and beyond the typical service a yacht broker provides and forms a partnership with the owners.” – Owners, LADY J, 142’ Palmer Johnson

“There is no doubt that our success story is due to LJ’s charter management skills and work ethic. I have been a charter captain for many years and yet to come across an individual so dedicated, professional and conscientious. Her commitment to the Remember When charter program and her strenuous effort, has spoken for itself over and over. One thing is for sure, we would be searching far and beyond to fill her boots.” – Captain Francisco Cisco Chadinha, M/Y REMEMBER WHEN, 162’ Christensen

“LJ is leaps and bounds above all the other managers,” says Arioso Capt. Peter Martin, who has worked with several charter companies. “They just list the boat. She actually cares. When she says, ‘What can I do for you?’ she actually means it.”