ing throughout the Salish Sea . I was fortunate to grow up on Holmes Harbor on Whidbey Island . My friends and I were always on the water or the beach . We fished , wake boarded and waterskied , built forts , rafts and all kinds of marine contraptions . I loved to draw , though very poorly , the ultimate boat and had ideas for how to make them better . I always knew that I wanted to be in the industry , it was just a matter of when and how . As a young professional , what are the biggest challenges you ’ ve faced in the marine industry and how did you overcome them ? The marine industry is a welcoming group , but it takes time to prove yourself and develop relationships with the key players . Young professionals may have a great product or service , but often that is not enough to overcome the years of relationships that others have . I would say that I have not yet overcome this , but every day I work very hard to grow my network and walk my talk . How do you hope to inspire others in the marine industry ? I want Basta Boatlifts to be a model of excellence in customer service and foster a culture of servant leadership . My goal is to ensure that employees come to work happy to be here and go home to their families with a sense of pride and satisfaction in what they do every day . Where is your favorite place to go boating ? French Polynesia . Why should young professionals choose a career in the marine industry ? The opportunity to be around great people , very exciting products and make a difference in the lives of your customers on the water . I think is just a lot of fun !
Lou Harrington
Brand Manager , Aqua Lily Pad
What first drew you to the marine industry ? Everywhere I go , anywhere I visit , I want to be on the water . This passion for being on the water is what drew me to working in the marine industry . What accomplishment are you most proud of ? I ’ m proud to have served in the U . S . Military as a captain in the Army . How do you hope to inspire others in the marine industry ? My entire path comes down to a passion for growth . This passion is behind my seemingly unusual path from Army Captain to brand manager for Aqua Lily Pad . It ’ s my hope that others see in my example the centrality of growth and connection to every endeavor we undertake . How do you set goals for yourself and set yourself up for success ? I ’ m a pretty straight-forward guy . I set SMART goals ( specific , measurable , achievable , relevant , and time-bound ) and then don ’ t try to set too many . Too many , even if they ’ re achievable means time is bound get lost . Who was your hero as a child ? Michael Jordan . What are some of your favorite non-boating hobbies ? When I ’ m not on a boat , I enjoy fly fishing and snowmobiling . Why should young professionals choose a career in the marine industry ? The marine industry is growing . There are multiple publicly traded companies in the sector , which points to stability . More importantly , the growth we ’ re seeing is inextricably tied to passion for being on the water . Where growth and passion meet , the result is unstoppable .
Victoria Harris
Sales Manager , Pasadena Boat Works
What first drew you to the marine industry ? Boating has always been a part of my family ’ s life . I grew up on the water in Pasadena , Md . We had everything from canoes and paddleboats to sport and fishing boats . My uncle , Capt . Ed Sienkiewicz , started his crabbing business from our house on Main Creek , and now runs a successful crab store here in Pasadena .
What was your first job ? My first job was a hostess at a Texas Roadhouse only a mile away from our main location . Pasadena Boat Works didn ’ t even exist then , which I find funny I ended up so close . What accomplishment are you most proud of ? I am most proud of the presence I ’ ve made at our small business . I love meeting new customers and bring them into our Pasadena Boat Works family . Did you have any key mentors or influences in your career ? Stacy McDonough , the previous office manager here at Pasadena Boat Works had given me a lot of knowledge that she had acquired over the years . She has remained in the industry and has made her mark in the marine distribution world . She has been very successful with multiple wellknown competitors . As a young professional , what are the biggest challenges you ’ ve faced in the marine industry and how did you overcome them ? Being so young in many careers is tough . Professionalism and maturity is important for employers and customers to take you seriously . The ability to work well with many types of different people helps overcome major age gaps you may find when working in the boating industry . How do you hope to inspire others in the marine industry ? I hope to inspire others with my success and determination . I came into the marine industry at only 22 years old with little knowledge . I am now 27 and it is amazing how much you grow in just a few short years . Set your mind to something and chase it .
24 march 2023 www . boatingindustry . com