J.J. Sands is a riverman extraordinaire.  The Valley Gem Sternwheeler is a family business which his father started in 1973.  They built their current boat in 1989 and have plans for a passenger barge to be christened by 2010.

 

J.J. is married to Katie with whom he has two children: Andy who is 8 and Lily who is 3.  His hobbies are working on his boat and model aviation.