not even know about it . I went to the school ’ s President , Nikki Storey , with the idea of Veteran Visit Day and she gave me the freedom to create it . From there , I worked with GLBBS ’ Matt Dost , who works with veteran students at the school , to make Veteran Visit Day the best it could be . GLBBS ’ first Veteran Visit Day was in May 2023 . The purpose of the event is less about recruiting for GLBBS and more about showing our military veterans what benefits and resources are available to them . The day connects them to resources for education , careers , and more , while also introducing them to the marine industry . I invited leaders who work with veterans on different levels ( local , county , state ) to come to the school to talk with veterans . At our second event ( May 2024 ), I included a panel of military veterans who graduated from GLBBS to talk about the resources they used , their time at the school , and what their time working in the industry has been like . GLBBS is providing a place for veterans to ask questions , learn what resources they can take advantage of , and more . And of course , we throw in a boat ride around the Les Cheneaux Islands to really round out the day !
SURGE – Detroit River is another outreach event that I am so excited to be a part of . Connecting with high school students in urban communities was another early goal set for me at GLBBS . Going back to my initial statement , “ you don ’ t know what you don ’ t know ," I ’ ve found that most high school students , even those coming out of Career Technical Education ( CTE ) courses ( think auto or construction ) are not aware of the marine industry . Even their counselors or teachers aren ’ t aware . Early on in my time at GLBBS , Nikki , ( the school ’ s president ) had expressed wanting to get in front of as many students as possible at one time and to bring them a hands-on marine industry experience . In my 2.5 years , I ’ ve worked with Nikki in creating relationships and connections with people who also believe in the mission of expanding the pool of talent for the marine industry . I now sit on a committee made up of incredible people who have that same goal in mind . Jason McGuire of Riverside Marina , Domiana Carter of Green Door Initiative , Kelly Kerchoff of MBIA , Brad Garmin from the State of Michigan - Outdoor Rec , Nikki Storey of GLBBS , and GLBBS ’ Gina Stegehuis , Outreach and Communications Coordinator . In July 2024 , we will be hosting the first SURGE event at Riverside
Marina in Detroit , introducing students and young adults from Detroit to the marine industry . Again , you have to meet people where they are in their journey . Through SURGE , we get to connect with people who might not have ever heard about the marine industry . Not only that , we are bringing an experience with us – students will be on the water , they will have their hands on equipment , and they will learn about boat building . I am so proud to be a part of the SURGE ! Was it difficult to navigate a career in this industry ? Why or why not ? The most difficult part of my role is bringing awareness about the marine industry to as many people as I can . I can only visit so many schools or career-focused events in a year . We are a small , nonprofit marine-trade doing incredible things , but we can ’ t do it on our own . I would love to see stronger outreach and recruitment efforts made industrywide so that we can reach a larger audience .
On the more personal side of my career , navigating a career in the marine industry has been challenging but gratifying . GLBBS has received national recognition and support from the industry . I give a large part of that credit to the GLBBS Board of Directors and the efforts of Nikki Storey , Tom Coates , Matt Edmondson , and the rest of the GLBBS staff . We are a team with a mission and that mission is being a leader in workforce development for the marine industry . I work with a team of people who focus on that mission every day and are willing to work together to strategically achieve ambitious goals . How do you hope to inspire other women in the marine industry ? I am going to start by saying that I work with women leaders who are not afraid to take a seat at the table and if there isn ’ t a spot for them , they make one . Beth Autore , Deb Faust , and Nikki Storey are just three women at GLBBS who have inspired me to not be afraid to walk into a room confident in my role and knowledge . I want to be that for the next generation of women coming into the industry . When I speak with high school aged girls about GLBBS and the marine industry , I do my absolute best to encourage them and amp them up for the opportunities that are there for them . On the other side of that , I also do marketing for GLBBS as well and I make sure that the women that have come through the program are recognized and visible . There is a campaign going around , “ If you can see her , you can be her ,” and I believe that 100 %. I am a step-mom and a mom to two daughters ; I want them to grow up confident in whatever they do . We are born leaders and women need to keep supporting women . What advice do you have for women starting their careers in the marine industry ? If you know the answer or how to do something , speak up , even if you are just starting out . Your ideas have meaning and are important . If they ’ re never expressed , you won ’ t be a part of the conversation .
Tracy Ottenbreit
Owner / General Manager , Freedom Boat Club of San Juan Islands
Education : Associate of Technical Design Years in the marine industry : 7 years Other companies you have worked for in the marine industry and titles you held within those companies : Associate Professor of Technical Design , Olympic College – Puget Sound Naval Shipyard What are some of the biggest lessons you have learned working in the marine industry ? Networking and community involvement . When we opened our first Freedom Boat Club , we quickly realized that you don ’ t operate an isolated business , you ’ re connected to a vast network of suppliers across the marine industry . We have developed relationships with equipment manufacturers , marine suppliers , experienced trades people , local dealerships , marinas , wholesalers and marine service providers . We , in turn , introduce our boat club members in our communities to our trained boating staff and these products . Our members in turn bring their families and friends to experience Freedom Boat Club … we have a boating community that we enjoy , nurture and support . If you had to choose one memorable achievement in the marine industry , what would it be and why ? Starting it ! That was the hardest thing to do , and what I ’ m most proud of . It takes a lot to come to a full stop in a successful career , with kids still at home and invest everything
18 june 2024 www . boatingindustry . com