Monique and Jason at an Atlanta Braves game.
Jason Stovall was bound to make it back to Lake Lanier, but this time he brought his wife Monique with him. Together, they brought their hospitality and event planning experience to University Yacht Club, where Jason serves as general manager and Monique supports the group’s many special events executed by the club’s volunteers.
Jason grew up in Snellville so Lake Lanier was his family’s go-to recreation destination. They boated, water skied and camped, but after high-school graduation, Jason started working in hospitality and recreation. His first move to Arizona for a summer job at Lake Powell turned into staying there to pursue his degree in hotel and restaurant management at Northern Arizona University.
He and Monique met in 2007 during his time in Zion National Park in Utah, where he was operations manager for Xanterra Resorts, a privately owned American park and resort management company based in Greenwood Village, Colorado.
“By the time Monique and I met at Zion, I had already managed Lake Power Resorts in Arizona and moved back to Georgia once to manage Jameson Inn properties in Winder and Conyers,” he said. “But when Xanterra offered me the operations managers’ position at Zion, I found that I had missed being in an outdoor recreation and resort setting. Little did I know that job would lead me to Monique, who also worked in food service at the park.”
They met at Zion in 2007 and soon discovered shared interests in rock climbing, hiking, repelling, camping and boating. Marrying in 2013, they spent their time between Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon, where Monique became dining room manager. They stayed in Utah for six or seven more years, before Jason became general manager of the Page, Arizona, Courtyard by Marriott.
“All along we relished living in the mountains with all our hiking, camping, climbing and being surrounded by such natural beauty,” Monique said. “Of course Arizona was picturesque in its own way, and we’d travel back to the Georgia mountains from time to time to visit family. But it wasn’t the same.”
They missed family and they missed the call of the mountains that had become so special to them both. They even named their Border Terrier “Parky,” because they both had worked for national parks out west.
“North Georgia offered everything we loved, mountains, hiking, waterfalls, camping, boating and trails,” Jason said. “Plus we wouldn’t need to travel so far to see my family who live in Hoschton.”
In 2021 they relocated back East. Jason became operations manager for R-Ranch in the Mountains, an 800-acre private resort in Dahlonega with a 13,000-square-foot lodge, plus cabins, campsites and cottages.
Early in 2023, Jason heard that University Yacht Club was seeking a general manager. He applied. “I had learned of UYC through its reputation as a respected club with a strong membership community. When they offered the job, I was honored.”
UYC’s Monique and Jason Stovall with UYC Commodore Mike Lee
He was hired as general manager the week of one of the organization’s largest events, the Commodore’s Ball. He formally began work three weeks later.
“It was an exciting time to meet everyone at the club and become immersed here,” he said. “We’ve been accepted like family and treasure this incredible community.
“The members really love and care for the club and it is so evident every day,” he said. “All the committee work is done by volunteers who are so supportive of each other.”
Current Commodore Mike Lee complimented the couple on their contributions to UYC.
“It’s been an absolute privilege to serve alongside them as Commodore,” Lee said. “Their teamwork, vision, and willingness to go above and beyond truly set the tone for the entire club.”
Bringing Jason and Monique on board is a good fit all the way around.
“We feel so at home here,” Jason said. “And for us, this is not as job. It’s being part of a kind, open and welcoming community of very special people.”
Braves photo by Monique Stovall; Group photo by Pamela A. Keene
