If you had to choose one memorable achievement in the marine industry , what would it be and why ? Being involved in the development and launch of Seakeeper Ride at such an early stage of my career will forever be memorable . I had the opportunity to dive into the controls algorithms and contribute to software ( which makes 100 adjustments every second !) that was critical to the launch of Seakeeper Ride within my first year at Seakeeper . Soon after launch , our product won the IBEX Innovation Award in 2022 . I am very proud of not only our transformational product and technology , but how it impacts boaters . Was it difficult to navigate a career in this industry ? Why or why not ? It hasn ’ t been difficult for me because I ’ ve had the best mentors who always support my ideas and challenge me to grow . Hard work and dedication are fundamentals for success in my career , but having a team that supports and inspires you continuously has been invaluable . How do you hope to inspire other women in the marine industry ? I hope to lead by example to inspire other women and show them they have an important place in the marine industry . Being compassionate goes a long way and I try to support , encourage , and celebrate those around me . In my field in particular , being careful with the details seems like a small thing , but it ’ s critical in the success of both you and your team . Get the little things right and the big things will follow ! What advice do you have for women starting their careers in the marine industry ? Don ’ t be shy- ask the questions , say your ideas and trust in yourself . It can sometimes feel out of place to be a woman in a predominantly male field or industry , but trust that you deserve to be where you are and all your hard work got you here .
Michelle Presley
Assistant Controller / AP Manager , Chaparral Boats , Inc / Robalo Boats , LLC
Education : Bachelors , Cum Laude , Valdosta State University Years in the marine industry : 28 years What first drew you to the marine industry ? In my 20s , as I was exploring employment possibilities with many different industries ,
Chaparral Boats was seeking an Assistant Controller . I applied for the position and was hired . That was 28 years ago . During those 28 years , the love of the marine industry ( and Chaparral Boats / Robalo Boats ) has kept me here . It is so rewarding witnessing the growth of the marine industry , as well as the growth of Chaparral Boats / Robalo Boats , and knowing I am a part of that growth . When I am traveling , I always look for our boats on the water . It brings so much pride and joy seeing families enjoying a Chaparral or Robalo boat ! What are some of the biggest lessons you have learned working in the marine industry ? I have learned that change is constant . Being willing and able to adapt to those changes is crucial to the success of the marine industry . The marine industry is in a constant state of flux , with regulations and technologies evolving rapidly . I have also learned that communication and self-awareness is key to success . Effective communication is important and it is important to ask , listen and cooperate . Understanding your strengths and limitations can also help you surround yourself with the right people . If you had to choose one memorable achievement in the marine industry , what would it be and why ? Being employed in the marine industry for 28 years with Chaparral Boats / Robalo Boats is a great achievement for which I am very proud . And then to be nominated by upper management for ‘ Woman Making Waves ’ is such an incredible honor . I feel privileged to represent our company and hopefully will continue being a role model to our younger women in the company . How do you hope to inspire other women in the marine industry ? Daily , I try to inspire the younger ladies in my department to set personal goals . With setting / achieving personal goals myself , I hope I am leading them by example in the sense that with hard work and determination , anything is possible . Approach each day with a ‘ can-do ’ attitude and face each obstacle / hurdle with confidence and perseverance . What advice do you have for women starting their careers in the marine industry ? I would advise young women that the sky is the
limit ! Approach each day and each challenge with confidence . Never fear hard work , as hard work is recognized and rewarded . Be a voice for yourself and others , as there will be situations where your opinion will be necessary to voice .
Lakshmi Rampersaud
Supply Chain Manager , Nautical Ventures Group
Education : BBA ; International Business , Marketing Years in the marine industry : 3 Years Other companies you have worked for in the marine industry and titles you held within those companies : For 10 years I worked for an international freight forwarder in various operational capacities which supported the recreational boating sector . I was recruited by Nautical Ventures from that company which ultimately led to my current role . What first drew you to the marine industry ? I call it , “ The Simply Complicated Factor .” I ’ m a data-driven individual that thrives on various procedural elements happening simultaneously , all with equal importance . The constant juggling of simply complicated factors seems to be inherent in the marine sector and is a daily occurrence in my job . Being mindful that hitting sales goals and providing great customer satisfaction simultaneously is always a priority . What are some of the biggest lessons you have learned working in the marine industry ? Anticipating the customer ’ s needs is the biggest lesson I have learned and , as a result , I ’ ve learned to be adaptable . Often , our customer is buying the boat before it ’ s built and we have to place a high value on this “ blind ” trust , maintain transparency , and keep the customer connected and engaged throughout the process – all while keeping our operations streamlined and efficient . Was it difficult to navigate a career in this industry ? Why or why not ? Yes and no . So much of what I do is behind the scenes that it took a while before I was noticed . When a sales guy sells a boat , money
20 june 2024 www . boatingindustry . com