Boating Industry March 2023 | Page 27

Texas Sales Manager , Galati Yacht Sales

What was your first job ? Technically sweeping the boat yard for 50 cents a day in elementary school ! In reality , I started with yacht detailing , worked in the yard on bottom jobs , eventually moved to the parts desk and fuel docks . Then I was off to college and coming back to marketing , sales and management . All for Galati Yachts . What accomplishment are you most proud of ? In my personal life , marrying my wife and having three baby boys ( 4 , 2 , and a week old ). In my business life , it ’ s likely creating and founding the Texas Marine Industry Coalition , drafting a bill and getting it passed through Texas legislation to cap sales tax on yachts in Texas . Also winning Yacht Broker of the year from the Gulf Coast Yacht Brokers Association and finishing that following year as top unit salesman in the company ’ s 16 locations . Did you have any key mentors or influences in your career ? My mother , Fran Galati , and uncles ( Joe , Carmine , Mike and Chris Galati ) along with my Grandmother , Anna Maria . They all taught me and my cousins at a very young age to work hard and respect your family . Their knowledge of the industry and business is vital in our teachings but their perspective on success , and family dynamics are invaluable . Who was your hero as a child ? My Grandmother , Anna Maria Galati ( Nana ). When I was very young and struggled in school , she would take the time I needed every week to learn the material and succeed . She taught me the lessons in the books , but really she taught me so much more about working hard , staying focused and earning your way in this world . Why should young professionals choose a career in the marine industry ? It ’ s an ever-changing industry that can be very fruitful . If you care for it , it will care for you . You will meet artists in their own craft from building and repairing to selling along with an extremely diverse and exciting clientele that all have a unique story of their own that led them to the water .

Senior Naval Architect and Compliance Manager , Pursuit Boats

What was your first job ? Naval Architect and Marine Engineer at the consulting firm Murray & Associates – I worked on projects for superyachts and commercial vessels including forensic engineering , stability tests and evaluations , as well as supporting major refit and repowering projects . Did you have any key mentors or influences in your career ? I gained much of my technical knowledge and skills at my first “ real job ” working under Drew Hains ’ immense technical expertise and later under Jamie Benoit ’ s exemplary leadership . More recently , my technical abilities and leadership inspiration have continued to grow while working under Chris Gratz at Pursuit Boats .

As a young professional , what are the biggest challenges you ’ ve faced in the marine industry and how did you overcome them ? Early in my career , some veterans of the industry were dismissive of a young face , but I found that respect would be earned with professionalism , technical focus and delivering on my word with confidence . Who was your hero as a child ? My parents . My mother ’ s infectious kindness and patience balanced with my father ’ s engineering mindset and diverse skillsets . They showed me the importance of having endless curiosity in life and that hard work and dedication goes a long way towards achieving goals . Why should young professionals choose a career in the marine industry ? The marine industry is its own small world yet there is a vast array of specialties within . The opportunities are endless and there is always room for more professionals . If you are passionate about creating things , the design / engineering path may be your calling . It can be incredibly fulfilling to get to imagine something , work on it , and see it take form in real life . Working at Pursuit Boats , I have been fortunate to have this experience when designing the hull or hull structure and ultimately watching the product roll off the production line in full scale .

VP of Sales , MarinaLife . com

What was your first job ? This is my first job in the marine industry . I have spent my entire career in sales and sales management ( particularly in technology and SaaS ) in various industries such as cyber security , marketing automation , and learning management . When I was first presented with the opportunity to lead sales for Marinalife I was a little skeptical as it seemed like a departure from my career trajectory . However , I quickly learned about the transformation that the industry is going through , and I realized that I could bring my experience and understanding of selling and marketing technology to a new space . I am learning just as much as I am teaching and that excites and motivates me each day . What accomplishment are you most proud of ? Besides being a single mom and raising three

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