The F/V Wizard is owned by K.H. Colburn Inc., a corporation set up by Keith and Florence Colburn who are sole share holders. Keith Colburn is a long-time crabber in the Bering Sea who was the Captain of the Wizard for many years prior to purchasing it in 2005.
Now in the second year of ownership, and with the 2006/07 season having just been completed in late March, it looks like…the new owners of the Wizard are going to make it.
Crew of the Wizard
Keith Colburn – Back in 1985 Keith headed to Alaska with big dreams, a friend and $50. Starting out as a greenhorn on the Alaska Trader, Keith turned a gamble into a life long obsession.
Florence Colburn – Managing all parts of the business that happen off the boat, Florence maintains being a mom to two children, a wife to Keith and being an advocate to the Crab Rationalization Program.
Monte Colburn – Joined his brother back in 1987 and was fishing on the “Juno” at that time and spent his first 10 months working before coming home. In 1988 he joined the Wizard as a full share deckhand.
Gary Soper – Living in Anchorage, Alaska with his wife and two children, Gary has been in the fishing business for a long time. Known as “Soper” on board, Gary is a full-time, professional crabber and is a deck boss and first mate.
Lenny Lekanoff – Born and raised in a large family in Unalaska, Alaska. Lenny is Native American Russian Aleut and is married with one child. The Lekanoff name is very big in Alaska and you can barely go anywhere without bumping into one of Lenny’s relatives.
Crosby LeVeen – From Maine, Crosby is young and full of energy and this year has stepped into a full share spot on the Wizard. With very little experience, Crosby is very much a greenhorn, but is learning the ropes from the best.
Lynn Guitard- At 22 years of age the kid on the boat, Lynn, resides in Olympia, WA. He graduated from Thurston High School in 2004. Lynn’s father, Marty, fished in the 1970’s during the king crab heyday and the stories he told his son over the years sparked an interest in giving the Bering Sea a shot.
Danny Maki – Danny’s desire to fish the Bearing Sea was fueled by the childhood tales of great crabbing adventures told by his Uncle Mike (Bear) Rogers. Bear worked aboard the F/V Wizard during the ’70s and ’80s and was Capt. Keith’s deck boss.
Kevin Strafford – Kevin joins the Wizard for the 2011 Opies’ season as a true greenhorn in the crabbing industry; however, he is no stranger to life in and around the water. He is a commercial diver and lifelong sailor.
Paul Edgren – Paul grew up in the inland Northwest and now makes his home in Spokane, Washington. He has been an avid outdoor enthusiast all his life and a professional climbing guide for seven years.
Freddy Maugatai – Capt. Keith describes his newest deckhand, Freddie Maugatai. as a ‘lightening bolt” who brings a positve and palpable energy to the deck of the F/V Wizard.
