Vermont Discovery Cruises
Our Staff

Mike Shea

Owner / President - Green Mountain Boat Lines

Having grown up in Worthington, Mass, Shea began his career as an airline pilot and then moved to Vermont in 1981, where he was employed by Air Vermont and managed the Stowe-Morrisville airport. In 1984 Shea made the decision to launch a new business that would cater to the needs of visitors to the state of Vermont. Following the business model his parents had developed with the boat, The River Queen, in Green Bay, Wisconsin; Shea started Green Mountain Boat Lines in May of 1984. In 1995 he replaced the Spirit of Ethan Allen with the Spirit of Ethan Allen II, large enough to accommodate 500 people with dining for 288. At the end of the 1995 season, Shea purchased Shore Line Catering, to stream line operations aboard his floating banquet facility. In the years that followed business grew substantially. In 2002 the Spirit of Ethan Allen II was replaced with the Spirit of Ethan Allen III, a triple deck 500 passenger boat with dining seating for 425 guests. In addition to conventions, weddings, reunions and a host of other events, The Spirit of Ethan Allen III serves lunch, dinner and brunch for guests looking to enjoy a great meal on the water.

In 2007 Shea expanded further with the purchase of The Bonny Blue a 65 foot replica 1920's inland waterway cruiser, renaming her Moonlight Lady, and Vermont Discovery Cruises was born. Shea decided to bring back the tradition of inland waterway cruising on Lake Champlain. A tradition lost, but not forgotten when the operation of the Ticonderoga ceased in 1952. Using his knowledge of food, gained from his catering operation, Mike made the decision to add a culinary theater and inviting dining space along with a fantastic pilot house to the top deck of Moonlight Lady. The Moonlight Lady's cruising schedule begins in the spring of 2008 following an extensive interior renovation.

Having served as a pillar for the tourism community for a quarter of a century, Shea is an icon in the Burlington business community. His company is active as a member of the State, and Regional Chamber of Commerce. He made substantial contributions to the business community serving on the board of the Vermont Attractions Association. In addition Shea has also served on the board of the Burlington Business Association.

Mike enjoys golf, skiing, traveling, and keeping up with his favorite baseball team. When he isn't busy selling tickets down at the ticket booth, fixing things in the engine room and serving as a mentor for 8 year round and 70 seasonal employees, you can find Mike on the slopes, enjoying the fine Vermont snow, or cooking up his next plan for improvement and expansion to his ever growing enterprise.

Marie Lathey

Director of Sales and Marketing

Having extensive experience within the hospitality industry, and internet based business practices, Marie began her career with Vermont Discovery Cruises in 2007, after serving as Banquet Manager and Adjunct Instructor for the New England Culinary Institute based at the Inn at Essex. Prior to her time at the culinary institute, she managed several resort and restaurant hospitality operations in the Rutland and Killington Vermont area, while operating a web based retail export business prior to relocating to the Lake Champlain region.

When Marie isn't busy conversing with vacationers on the phone, adding fun features to the website, or putting together new cruise packages, you can find her in her garden, camping with her dogs, or cooking up adventurous and creative cuisine.

Krista Geraw

Sales and Marketing Assistant

Having exceptional organizational and communications skills, Krista began her career at Green Mountain Boat Lines in the summer of 2007. Krista was the manager of a retail clothing store and moved on to Vermont Federal Credit Union, following her education at Castleton State College.

In her dynamic and high energy position, she performs a wide range of services for the company. Krista can be found engaging clients on the phone, researching projects or composing contracts. Her happy outlook and cheery smile greet guests to the offices. When she isn't busy tending to the demands of the office, she enjoys quilting, traveling, and shopping for the next addition to her massive shoe collection.