In a yachting industry filled with seasoned seafarers and lifelong mariners, Norina Edelman stands out as a dynamic force whose journey defies convention. A Harvard-educated lawyer turned CEO, Norina now leads the IMM Group of Companies—an influential network including International Marine Management, Dockside Management, and FKG—delivering technical services, yacht agency support, and yacht refit solutions across the Caribbean.
In this candid interview with Chief Marketing Officer of YATCO, Onno Ebbens, and filmed at the YATCO SkyLounge during the Palm Beach International Boat Show 2025, Norina shares how a chance meeting in Puerto Rico transformed her life, how IMM evolved from a one-off OCTOPUS refit into a regional powerhouse, and how personal passion, resilience, and service-oriented values have guided her remarkable path.
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Video Transcription:
Introduction to Norina Edelman and IMM
Onno: “For those in the industry who don’t yet know you, can you introduce yourself?”
Norina: “Absolutely. My name is Norina Edelman, and I’m currently the CEO of a group of companies known as the IMM Group of Companies—International Marine Management. We own several businesses including IMM, Dockside Management (a yacht agency based in the Caribbean), and FKG, which is a technical services company specializing in metal fabrication, rigging, and hydraulics. IMM itself is a shipyard brand, with multiple locations across the Caribbean, and we also specialize in project management.”
How IMM Was Born from One Historic Refit
Onno: “How long has the group been around?”
Norina: “IMM was founded in 2007. My business partner established it to undertake a significant refit project on OCTOPUS. He managed the project through a shipyard known at the time as ITM (International Technic Marine), working under the IMM name. From there, we grew—initially in Europe, and by around 2010, we expanded operations to the Caribbean.”
Onno: “So, it all started because of one major refit?”
Norina: “Yes, essentially. It was a massive job, with up to 700 people working onboard per day. They used a publicly available dock and built out a full-scale refit operation just for that project. That project showed what was possible outside of traditional facilities.”
From Europe to the Caribbean: Strategic Growth
Onno: “And now IMM has expanded beyond just refits?”
Norina: “Exactly. We initially operated in La Ciotat, Toulon, and Marseille in France, working on 60m+ vessels. Around 2009 or 2010, we responded to an RFP in Guadeloupe, recognizing that many yachts converge in the Caribbean each season but lacked technical support. Our philosophy has always been about meeting clients where they are, and Guadeloupe was a step in that direction.”
Onno: “Was it challenging attracting yachts to Guadeloupe?”
Norina: “Absolutely, we were asking yachts to come purely for our services—Guadeloupe wasn’t a yachting hub. Over time, some began to recognize its potential, but it was tough. So, in 2016, we shifted strategy and moved into St. Maarten, which is a natural hub. That’s where we met Christopher Marshall, who became our third partner. In 2017, we acquired FKG, just before Hurricane Irma.”
Onno: “That must have been devastating.”
Norina: “It was. The damage to St. Maarten was extreme, and the 2017–2018 season was essentially wiped out. What was incredible was that yachts came back that year—not for themselves, but to support St. Maarten. That’s one reason I continue to love this industry.”
Onno: “How did Dockside Management become part of the group?”
Norina: “After the hurricane, Laya Rosen, founder of Dockside, was nearing retirement and considering shutting down the business. It had been around for 25 years and was one of the first yacht agencies in the Caribbean. I told her she couldn’t close it, and she asked if I wanted to buy it. Without realizing the scope of what I was getting into, I said yes.”
From Law to Yachting: A Surprising Career Pivot
Onno: “You didn’t have a yachting background. So, what is your background?”
Norina: “No, I didn’t. I grew up in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina—near water, but I was actually afraid of the ocean! I studied social work, worked briefly in psychiatric care for youth, and then pursued my true passion: law. I got into Harvard Law School, clerked for a federal judge, and practiced law at a top firm in Washington, D.C.”
Onno: “So how did that turn into yachting and Caribbean shipyards?”
Norina: “While working on a high-profile trial representing the former Governor of Puerto Rico, I met Fabrice Maitre, who became my partner in both life and business. We met at a hotel bar in San Juan during the trial. Around that same time, my father passed away, and I began reevaluating my life. I decided to take a one-year sabbatical.”
Onno: “And that sabbatical changed everything?”
Norina: “Completely. Fabrice had recently completed the OCTOPUS refit and was well-known in the industry. Jean-Christophe Lenoir, a legend in French refit, encouraged us to attend the Monaco Yacht Show. We went with homemade business cards and started pitching. Every major management company wanted to speak with Fabrice. That was when I realized we had something special—and I never returned to law.”
Returning to Puerto Rico: A Full-Circle Moment
Onno: “What’s it been like since then?”
Norina: “It’s been a wild, rewarding ride. From France to Guadeloupe, St. Maarten, and now back to Puerto Rico, where Fabrice and I met, everything feels like it’s come full circle. I even learned French along the way—something I never expected when this journey began.”
Onno: “Do you think about legacy now?”
Norina: “Honestly, no. I don’t think in those terms. What motivates me is that I love what I do. It’s about providing real service—to the yacht, the crew, the captains. It may be ‘just business,’ but to me, it’s meaningful. We’ve been intentional in how we grow—staying independent, hiring carefully, and holding tightly to our values.”
Onno: “I think that’s a perfect ending. Thank you so much. It was such a good story. I loved it, thank you for sharing, Norina.”
Norina: “Thank you—it’s been such a pleasure to share my story.”
