VIP Island Rentals | About us

Meet Don and Susan

This is our wedding photo from our Tahitian Wedding Ceremony performed on the island of Moorea, French Polynesia. As you can see, we are a fun-loving couple!

In 1998, having lived most of our lives on the eastern coast of the Chesapeake Bay, we both retired from our careers and decided we wanted to re-locate closer to the Ocean. Exploring the eastern coast of the United States was interesting. One day we decided to take a day trip to the Eastern Shore of Virginia. We were not sure exactly what we were looking for but we knew we had not found it yet.

On our second trip to the Eastern Shore, we decided to visit Chincoteague Island. I had never been to Chincoteague and Don had not been there in more than 20 years. We turned off Route 13 onto Route 175, following the signs to Chincoteague Island. Driving across the 4 mile long causeway, the relaxing and soothing waterways and wetlands tugged at our hearts. We had found home!!

We purchased our home in 1999 and settled down to the relaxing, quiet life of retirement. Little did we know that in a short while we would discover that "retirement" was not for us. Having led active lives (Don as an electrical engineer and I as a medic/firefighter), we soon discovered we needed to rejoin "the rat race"! We began working part-time in the vacation rental business on the island. Seeing a need for an additional management company, we opened VIP Island Rentals in the fall of 2002. Our first season was a delightful success and we have greatly enjoyed working with our guests.

We are continually looking for and finding ways to optimize our guest's exploration of our oasis home... Chincoteague Island! Our family, along with our dedicated staff, look forward to meeting you!

Meet Ivy and Johnny

In January 2007 I welcomed Ivy as co-owner of VIP Island Rentals. Ivy and I have been close friends for more years then either of us care to advertise!

After sharing laughter, tears and watching each others children grow up, one of the things I missed most after I moved to Chincoteague Island from Mathews, Va was having Ivy just down the road from me.

Ivy and her husband, Johnny (he's the one with the beard!) are avid motorcyclists, and are pictured above on Johnny's Harley following the annual "Ride 4 Kids" Poker Run sponsored by the Chincoteague Police Department.

Ivy brings to VIP Island Rentals much experience operating a business. She has worked and helped develop, maintain and grow Chesapeake Remodeling, a company founded and owned by her husband Johnny for 34 years.

She and Johnny have been married for 42 years and have two children and three grand children.