Christine Sheppard was born and raised in England, and like
most natives of that unique island nation, has an enduring
love of the oceans and oceanic life. She learned to sail at
an early age, and lived in Portsmouth, a city on the English
Channel, working at a law firm researching ancient rights of
way, and campaigning for Green Peace on weekends.
An avid sailor, swimmer and snorkeler, Christine moved to
San Diego with her husband (Ken) and daughter in 1980. She
changed careers and went back to college to learn Computer
Information Technology, and then Marketing. She was Director
of Marketing first for Palomar Software, a Macintosh software
developer, and then for Biosym Technologies, a developer
of computer aided molecular design software. A 30-year vegan,
Christine was codirector of the San Diego group Last Chance
for Animals and devoted her spare time to animal rights and
environmental issues.
Seeking a less stressful lifestyle, AND a warm ocean, Christine
and Ken moved to Kona in 1995 and owned a successful organic
coffee farm, Dragon’s Lair, for 9 years. The farm overlooked
Honaunau Bay and Kealakekua Bay, two of the most beautiful
bays in the world, and they spent many hours in the waters
of both. Christine was president of the non-profit Kona Coffee
Council for three years before her cancer forced them to
resign all responsibilities, sell the farm, and concentrate
on staying alive. After 18 months in remission, Christine
was ready for work again, and was delighted to be hired by
SeaPics.com as the photographers' liaison, and learning how
to back up the rest of the awesome team. She brings her strong
background of Macintosh computers, graphics, customer service,
organizational skills and upbeat personality to the company.
Christine is also a volunteer for ReefTeach, a non-profit
organization that teaches responsible enjoyment of our local
reef environment to visitors. Together with Lynn Webber,
they developed training and materials for ReefTeach to add
protection of the green sea turtle into the ReefTeach program.
She can often be found on the beach guarding our green sea
turtles from over-eager admirers!
