Wayne Brown - A Legacy of Excellence
The Aggressor team embodies Wayne’s spirit and passion for adventure as Aggressor Adventures continues into its next chapter. The staff keeps this page here to honor Wayne’s legacy and visions as a guide for how he wants the company to continue.
History
Wayne Brown was raised on a small farm in an even smaller town in Florida. Some of his earliest memories included traveling from Jacksonville, Florida, with his family to West Virginia to visit his parents’ hometown and relatives in the heart of Appalachia. Life there was defined by rugged mountains and tiny towns tucked deep within them. Although the landscape was very different from where he grew up, Wayne never felt the same connection to it as he did when he first visited the beaches of St. Augustine, Florida. For Wayne, the ocean became a source of endless fascination. It wasn’t just wading into the saltwater or jumping into the waves—it was exploring the saltwater ponds left behind by the outgoing tide and discovering the incredible sea life within them. He could spend hours combing the tide pools in search of a new fish or crab while his siblings splashed and surfed in the waves nearby. Later, middle school biology field trips to local estuaries were just as exciting to him as a trip to an amusement park.
Wayne’s father worked as an 18-wheel truck driver, and his mother drove a school bus. After graduating from high school, Wayne joined the U.S. Air Force, where he trained as a medic. During his service, he worked in emergency rooms and flew aeromedical evacuation missions, eventually achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant before being honorably discharged after eight years of service. While stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi, in 1981, Wayne met the love of his life, Dana Dunaway. The two were married in 1981, beginning a partnership that would span more than four decades. Shortly after their marriage, Wayne and Dana moved to Germany, where he was stationed for four years during his military service.
After leaving the Air Force, Wayne decided it was time for a new challenge and began working for Taco Bell Corporate. Through determination and entrepreneurial drive, he eventually worked his way into the franchise system, building a portfolio of 60 Taco Bell restaurants. In 2006, he sold the business, but his passion for service-oriented companies remained strong. After experiencing two trips as a guest aboard Aggressor yachts, Wayne became deeply impressed with the company’s commitment to exceptional customer service. In late 2006, he inquired about the possibility of purchasing the fleet and discovered it was for sale following the passing of its owner, Paul Haines. With the owner’s children uninterested in continuing the business, Wayne purchased Aggressor in April 2007 and later expanded the company by acquiring the Dancer Fleet in March 2008.
Aggressor originally began in 1984 as a way for passionate divers to maximize their time underwater without the hassle of hauling gear back and forth to the dock each day, while also enjoying a comfortable place to relax between dives. While that core philosophy remained unchanged, Wayne continued to evolve the experience over the years, enhancing the guest experience with gourmet meals, fully air-conditioned yachts, and even hot tubs onboard. Under Wayne’s leadership, Aggressor Adventures grew into a globally recognized brand in adventure travel, earning numerous industry accolades including recognition on the Inc. 5000 list, Telly Awards, Magellan Awards, and SCUBA Diving Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards. A passionate diver himself, Wayne achieved several professional distinctions including Platinum Pro 5000 Diver, Nikon Professional Services Member, SSI Instructor Trainer, and PADI Staff Instructor.
Through Aggressor Adventures, Wayne found what many people spend a lifetime searching for—the opportunity to truly love what you do every day. Leading a global and profitable company that employs hundreds of talented professionals allowed him to combine his passion for outstanding customer service with his love for adventure and photography. Of all the companies he owned or was involved with, none proved as personally rewarding as Aggressor Adventures.
Wayne also believed strongly in giving back. Each year he looked for ways his companies could support the communities and people they interacted with around the world. From founding the Sea of Change Foundation in 2012 to supporting numerous charitable events annually, he remained deeply committed to making a positive impact.
Despite his many professional accomplishments and worldwide travels, Wayne’s greatest pride and joy was his family. When he wasn’t traveling or diving, he was happiest at home in Augusta, Georgia, enjoying time with loved ones, fishing, playing golf, and making memories with his family.
Wayne will be remembered as a devoted husband, proud father and grandfather, respected leader, and passionate adventurer whose love for life inspired everyone around him. His legacy lives on through the family he loved, the company he built, and the countless people around the world whose lives he touched.