his confidence, mentorship and willingness to challenge me while giving me meaningful opportunities to grow. I also feel fortunate to lead an incredibly talented Malibu team that cares deeply about our customers, our dealers and the boats we build. Was it difficult to navigate a career in this industry? Why or why not? There have been challenges, especially coming up through engineering and manufacturing, which have traditionally been male-dominated areas. I have been fortunate to have leaders and teammates who challenged me, supported me and created opportunities along the way. My approach has been to stay curious, prepare well and let the work build credibility. How do you hope to inspire other women in the marine industry? I hope women see that there is no single path to leadership. You can start in engineering, manufacturing, sales, marketing, finance or another part of the business and still have meaningful influence. I also hope to show that you can lead with both strength and warmth. What advice do you have for women starting their careers in the marine industry? Learn the business beyond your job description. Spend time with the people who build, sell, service and use the product. Speak up before you feel completely ready, take on hard assignments and seek out people who will give you honest feedback. What is your favorite place to go boating? Norris Lake in East Tennessee. It is beautiful, but more importantly, it is where my family gets to slow down and spend time together on the water.
RACHAEL GREEN
GENERAL MANAGER, MALIBU BOATS
Education: B. S. Electrical Engineering, University of Alabama; MBA, University of Tennessee Years in the marine industry: 14 years What first drew you to the marine industry? I was drawn to Malibu by the opportunity to work close to both the product and the people building it. What started as an engineering role quickly became personal. My family has owned three Malibu boats, our dog is named Malibu and some of our best memories have been made on the water. What are some of the biggest lessons you have learned working in the marine industry? Relationships and trust matter. This is a small industry, and credibility is built by doing what you say you will do. I have also learned that every decision should stay connected to the customer experience. At the end of the day, we are helping families protect precious time on the water. If you had to choose one memorable achievement in the marine industry, what would it be and why? Growing from an electrical engineer into the role of leading the Malibu brand is my most meaningful achievement. I am proud of the title, but even more proud of what it represents: years of learning the business, working across teams and being trusted with greater responsibility. I am especially grateful to Steve Menneto for
CRYSTAL HOLLENBAUGH
OWNER / OPERATOR & INTEGRATOR, FREEDOM BOAT CLUB OF WILMINGTON
Education: Doctor of Educational Leadership( Ed. D.) from University of North Carolina Wilmington, master’ s in business administration( M. B. A.) from Mount St. Mary’ s University, B. A. Mount St. Mary’ s University Years in the marine industry: 7 years Other companies you have worked for in the marine industry and titles you held within those companies: United States Marine Corps, Prevention Capability Analyst. What first drew you to the marine industry? My first saltwater experience was on a boat named Baby Huey out of Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor in St. Augustine, FL. Mostly, I remember feeling anxious and afraid. I had little kids, aged 5 and 3 with all their stuff. My cousin, William and his wife were Freedom Boat Club members! When their dock staff came up to the Jeep and unloaded all“ the stuff,” I was instantly able to just be in the moment, watch their little fingers point at pelicans and their delighted cries when the outboard started up. When all those initial feelings of fear were stripped away, I remember an unbridled feeling of adventure. I was imagining all the places we could discover by boat and how special that was. What are some of the biggest lessons you have learned working in the marine industry? Launching a new franchise boat club right before the COVID-19 pandemic was trial by fire, and for a while, I was burning out trying to fit myself into a mold that wasn ' t built for the moment we were actually in. The biggest lesson I had to unlearn was thinking that being the least experienced person in the room meant I had nothing of value to contribute.
22 june 2026 www. boatingindustry. com