What are some of the biggest lessons you have learned working in the marine industry? Honest communication is essential ― your word only matters if you can consistently back it up. I’ ve also learned to treat every customer with equal priority, because today’ s small account can become tomorrow’ s major partner. If you had to choose one memorable achievement in the marine industry, what would it be and why? Being promoted to Business Unit Director stands out, because it gave me the opportunity to empower others to grow. I’ m passionate about listening to my team’ s needs and driving improvements that enhance both processes and quality of work life. Was it difficult to navigate a career in this industry? Why or why not? At times it was challenging, especially balancing family, school and travel. But having the opportunity to learn all aspects of the business helped me keep growing and continually move forward in my career. How do you hope to inspire other women in the marine industry? I hope to inspire other women by showing that growth is possible when you stay open to learning and lead with integrity. By supporting my team, listening to their needs and creating opportunities for others to succeed, I want to help build a path for more women to step into leadership roles. What advice do you have for women starting their careers in the marine industry? Be open to learning every aspect of the business and don’ t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Build strong relationships, stay true to your word and work hard ― those things will earn respect and create opportunities for growth. What is your favorite place to go boating? Fort Loudon Lake in Tennessee- it has the perfect coves to tie up in and spend the day floating and relaxing with family and friends. What are some of your favorite non-boating hobbies? Camping with my family, hiking and working in the yard are some of my favorite hobbies.
LORI BOYER
SOUTHEAST REGIONAL SALES MANAGER, KICKER PERFORMANCE AUDIO
Education: High School Years in the marine industry: 20 years Other companies you have worked for in the marine industry and titles you held within those companies: All KICKER: Customer Service, Technical Support, Sales Manager What first drew you to the marine industry? The company I work for has been in the marine industry for close to 20 years now and as that area has grown, I have had many opportunities to grow through the different jobs I have held.
What are some of the biggest lessons you have learned working in the marine industry? Relationships are extremely important. It’ s a small world and you never know who you might cross paths with again, or who might have an impact on your goals. Always deal with people honestly and exercise integrity... if you say you ' re going to do something, do it. Follow through! If you had to choose one memorable achievement in the marine industry, what would it be and why? While not marine-specific, I had been with KICKER for about five years and had transferred into the Sales and Marketing Department as an assistant. Whenever consumers called in to ask product questions, we referred them back to a dealer in their area. I felt if a consumer called us with a product question, that we should be able to answer them, so I made an effort to learn everything about our products. I asked questions about applications and troubleshooting so I would be better equipped to help resolve some issues quickly. After about a year, I was handling so many calls that the company decided to create a new position of Consumer Phone Tech Support; I became the first phone tech. This area now has six full-time support personnel who handle consumer, dealer and OEM technical support for the company. Was it difficult to navigate a career in this industry? Why or why not? Navigating any career is difficult at times. It’ s important to look at challenges with determination to learn what is needed so you can overcome obstacles or objections. I don’ t think about being a woman in a male-dominated field; I focus on being the best at my job so I can be the best for my company, my accounts and the consumers we serve. How do you hope to inspire other women in the marine industry? I hope that my story- along with the insights from other recipients- will inspire someone to take that chance that they have been thinking about... to make them open to seeing opportunities they perhaps wouldn’ t have considered. What advice do you have for women starting their careers in the marine industry? Start somewhere and learn as much as you can! Don’ t be afraid to try something new or completely out of your comfort zone. Whatever your role, build relationships! What is your favorite place to go boating? Fresh water lakes. What are some of your favorite non-boating hobbies? I love golfing, gardening, fishing, reading and spending time with family and friends.
KIMBERLY CHAPMAN
SENIOR MANAGER, GLOBAL PR & COMMUNICATIONS, BRUNSWICK / NAVICO GROUP
Education: B. A., Florida Atlantic University Years in the marine industry: 5 years What first drew you to the marine industry? Having grown up in South Florida, being on the water and around
14 june 2026 www. boatingindustry. com