Our Brokers

Chet Pawlowicz
Chet's boating experience began more than thirty years ago on the Great Lakes. His profession as a school teacher allowed him plenty of time in the summer to race and cruise sailboats. In the fall of 1980, rather than returning to the classroom, he just kept on sailing, eventually ending up in Annapolis where he chose to stay. He immediately started a yacht refurbishing business which gave him an excellent knowledge base in yacht construction and repair. In 1982 he became a broker with Martin Bird & Associates and was immediately successful. He and a partner bought the business in 1988 and in 2004 Chet became the sole owner.
 
Chet enjoys sailing and power boating on the Chesapeake Bay. Over the years he has assisted hundreds of people in the purchase or sale of their boats. "Buying or selling a boat is a major transaction", notes Chet. "Our expertise and hard-working approach will make that transaction an easy and pleasant experience for you".

Forbes Horton
Forbes Horton arrived in Annapolis after an 8 month 5,000 mile Caribbean cruise aboard his 34' Tartan Indra. He is a native of Portsmouth New Hampshire and grew up cruising the Maine coast. His professional career started at the University of New Hampshire where he worked as a marine biologist designing and developing equipment for the offshore aquaculture industry.
 
Forbes was introduced to the marine field by his father, the owner and founder of Sea Frost marine refrigeration. He has a United States Coast Guard Masters license and has commercially operated a range of vessels from celestial training schooners in the Gulf of Maine to salvage tugboats in the BVI.
 
Forbes has a vast knowledge of marine systems and yacht construction. He has restored several classics like his S&S designed Tartan and supervised the construction of a NOAA funded research vessel. His strong work ethic and customer dedication have made him successful in the marine trades. Forbes believes that in yacht sales, knowledge is often the most useful tool. Whether you're buying or selling a boat, Forbes is happy share his knowledge to help you make the right decision.

Bob O'Brien
Bob has been around boats for most of his life. The fascination began early with childhood summers on the Severn River and has never diminished. Bob has had home ports in Maryland and New England. He is at home on Buzzards Bay as he is on the Chesapeake. Sailing ventures have included passages to and from New England, Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Bob is a former Boatswain mate in the Coast Guard Reserves. He has also enjoyed the satisfaction of bringing classic old boats back to life including a 1968 Van de Stadt designed Ohlson Harmony. Rarely does he miss a chance to be on the water.
 
After a long career in the corporate world Bob decided it was time for a change. Combining the lessons of hard work and diligence with the love of good quality boats made for a natural transition to Martin Bird & Associates. What better endeavor could there be than assisting boat owners with finding their perfect boat?
 
"I believe the right yacht must suit her owner's personality and intended use. She should be safe, sound and visually pleasing to her owner. The right boat should tug a bit at your heart strings. A good yacht broker should be knowledgeable and a good communicator and most importantly, a good listener. I look forward to hearing about your 'next boat'."

Mark Parris
Mark was raised on the waters of the Eastern Shore and spent his childhood sailing and tending mahogany Centurys and plywood Penguins. Trained as a molecular biologist in the valleys of Virginia, the love of the water brought him back to the Bay to work and eventually move his family aboard. Sixteen years of raising three children on a 30’ cutter has made him appreciate, if nothing else, the value of full water tanks, full batteries and a solid dry hull in a seaway. In 1982, he purchased a sail loft and designed and built custom sails and canvasses for 28 years.
 
During that time Mark has owned and restored a Van Dine 30’ cutter, built a 45’ Benford steel cutter and continued to restore a 1926 National Guard Armory as a home and loft. Now in Annapolis, he is putting his years of expertise in sail and power to help you find the boat of your needs. Attentive listening and observation, diligent research and insightful creative solutions are attributes that Mark honed in the fields of science and sailmaking. Let Mark apply those valuable skills to help you buy or sell your boat.