Devon Klingman and Brendan Hayes-Morrison are the new owners of the 5-acre retail garden center Rockledge Gardens in Rockledge, Florida.

Devon and Brendan both have degrees in Marine Transportation from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point and Texas A&M University at Galveston, respectively. They both had ocean-going careers on commercial cargo vessels that allowed them to travel around the world — Brendan as a ship captain and Devon as a third and second officer in charge of safety and navigation. Brendan served 8 years as a Navy Reserve officer, and Devon still serves annually as a Navy reserve officer.

In an effort to anchor their lives to a community and career that would offer longevity, stability and direct influence over their success, they purchased Rockledge Gardens with their savings and investments in June of 2022. As partners in life and in work, and with experience in leading crews of 20 or more people on journeys across the sea, they have accepted the challenge of leading Rockledge Gardens into a future of continued success and innovation.