Boating Industry June 2024 | Page 9

Business Transformation Office Dept . Manager , Yamaha Motor Corp ., USA

Education : MBA Years in the marine industry : 11 ½ years Other companies you have worked for in the marine industry and titles you held within those companies : In addition to the 7.5 years at Yamaha , I spent four years serving in the United States Coast Guard as a Search & Rescue Coordinator .

What are some of the biggest lessons you have learned working in the marine industry ? Working in the marine industry has taught me two invaluable lessons : passion and adaptability . The community within this industry is fueled by a deep love for the outdoors and a shared commitment to its preservation and growth . This passion permeates every aspect of our work , from product development to boat shows to the simple joy of being out on the water . It ' s a part of who we are .

But passion alone isn ' t enough to navigate the challenges we face . The marine industry has weathered volatile markets , recessions , global pandemics , supply chain & logistical storms , and regulatory hurdles . Yet , it ' s our adaptability that has allowed us to not just survive , but thrive , decade after decade . We ' ve learned to pivot , innovate , and evolve in response to our changing environment , emerging stronger each time . This resilience has become ingrained in our DNA . If you had to choose one memorable achievement in the marine industry , what would it be and why ? One standout achievement from my tenure at Yamaha is the launch and ongoing development of our Project Management Office . Witnessing the growth of this team and expansion of functions has been particularly gratifying , reflecting Yamaha ’ s commitment to nurturing talent and driving continuous improvement within the organization . This initiative has been a source of great pride as it has significantly added value to our business by streamlining project processes , enhancing efficiency , and ensuring the successful execution of key initiatives . Was it difficult to navigate a career in this industry ? Why or why not ? Navigating my early career had its challenges primarily because I wasn ’ t initially sure where I wanted to be within the sector . I sought out opportunities to gain business and industry knowledge , which enabled me to evolve into newly created roles . The path forward wasn ’ t always clear , trusting in my abilities and the support of my organization to cultivate that growth ultimately proved successful . How do you hope to inspire other women in the marine industry ? I strive to inspire others by fostering positive influence through mentoring a colleague , actively engaging in change initiatives , and leading by example . My vision is for us to collectively shape a future where exclusive female support becomes obsolete , signaling the realization of genuine equality . What advice do you have for women starting their careers in the marine industry ? I would say the opportunities are endless , but you must be able to chart your own course . Take the lead in your growth and don ’ t limit yourself .

Owner , Dunbar Yachts

Education : Qualified Attorney in England and New York Years in the marine industry : 10 What first drew you to the marine industry ? My husband and I both had a career change after spending my maternity leave sailing round the world with our newborn baby . We only got halfway , so the other half makes a great retirement plan ! If you had to choose one memorable achievement in the marine industry , what would it be and why ? Last year , the Georgia Clean Marinas program certified its first three clean marinas in Coastal Georgia . This achievement exemplified a spirit of commitment and cooperation between the Georgia Marine Business Association , UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant , and Georgia DNR / Coastal Resources Division . Was it difficult to navigate a career in this industry ? Why or why not ? Many successful people in the marine industry are great multitaskers , and rarely find that their job description is all that they do . As long as you are willing to expand your comfort zone , you can have a full and rewarding career . What advice do you have for women starting their careers in the marine industry ? A great draw of the marine industry is that it is constantly evolving . Learn to embrace the fact that no two days are the same .

Head Service Writer , Hall ’ s Sport Center

Education : Associate of Business Administration Years in the marine industry : 27 years Other companies you have worked for in the marine industry and titles you held within those companies : 1997-1998 Great Lakes Marina , Muskegon , MI ; 1998-1999 Eldean Boat Sales , Muskegon , MI ; 1999-2016 Keenan Marina , Spring Lake , MI ; 2016-present Hall ’ s Sport Center . What first drew you to the marine industry ? Living in and around the Great Lakes , I got my first job at a gas dock at a local marina when I was a teenager . It was just a job at first , but little did I know , as I became more immersed in the surroundings , I started to develop a strong interest and thirst for the culture of boating and all the fun that surrounded it . This opened a new avenue of work for me , and I continued on , as the working environment was challenging yet fun at the same time . Jobs started small as a front desk clerk at a large SeaRay dealership , then turned into me later managing and running a fairly large marina here , also in West Michigan . During the downturn of Keenan Marina , and the possible sale eminent , I moved positions to another venture as

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