awesome kids solo , I am proud of the connections I have made and the reputation I have built as a sales leader . Because of that I have been asked to speak at conferences , on podcasts and webinars , to mentor other professionals , and even to consult growing organizations on their Go-to-Market strategy . Did you have any key mentors or influences in your career ? From coaches and teachers to various sales professionals , and strong female leaders ( including my current boss , CEO of Marinalife , Jen Leroux ), I have been very fortunate to have mentors and individuals who have helped me tremendously throughout my career . I attribute a lot of my success to the network I have created . You never know when you will need someone for something , and it is imperative to make a good impression and maintain those relationships . That lesson was drilled into my head by my college professor , Dr . Matt Robinson , who became a boss and friend . It is one that I will never forget and one that I pass along any chance I get . How do you hope to inspire others in the marine industry ? I hope others will see that you don ’ t have to come from the boating or marine industry to make an impact . Just be humble and willing to learn while bringing your own unique experience and expertise to the table . Who was your hero as a child ? It sounds cliché to say my parents were my heroes , but they were . My mom is a force , and my dad was the ultimate cheerleader . I always knew
that to be true but since he passed away , and I reflect more on the things he taught me , I realize that he had so much to do with who I am as a person . I grew up with 3 brothers and no sisters . A true feminist , he always showed me and gave me the confidence to believe that I could do anything and more than they ( or any guy ) could . He would always sing the song “ Anything you can do , I can do better ” from Annie Get Your Gun . I realize now that was intentional . Why should young professionals choose a career in the marine industry ? This is a fun industry to work in . Boating is a hobby , a leisure activity for most , so the people you work with , for , or provide a service to , are passionate about it and don ’ t take it too seriously . I believe there is going to be a lot of opportunity coming up for people that have tech experience . Whether that is in sales or product development , the industry is going to continue to evolve and as the number of tech savvy boaters rises , the need for those with that skill set will as well .
Wylie Jones
Sales Representative , William F . Miller & Associates
What first drew you to the marine industry ? Fishing has always been something I have been most passionate about . Through fishing , I fell in love with boating . Whether rowing a drift boat or running a jet drive on the rivers in Alaska , I loved being on the water . When I discovered the vast opportunities for careers in the marine industry , I was drawn to the idea that I could incorporate what I was most passionate about into my job . I left my career in the healthcare industry and started my new journey . What was your first job ? Cutting grass . I would ride around the neighborhood on a skateboard with a weed eater strapped to my back pushing a lawnmower . What accomplishment are you most proud of ? Growing up , baseball was a major focus in my life . Playing college ball was a dream of mine . I competed at the Division 1 level in the ACC Conference . That experience helped me develop discipline and the confidence to take chances that would pay off later in life . I changed career paths and completely started over after the age of 30 in order to work in a field I was passionate about . Today , I am part of a well-respected company forging new industry advancements and the next generation of marine professionals . Did you have any key mentors or influences in your career ? I consider Joe Miller , recent NMRA Hall of Fame inductee , both a major influence as well as mentor for my career in the marine industry . Joe spent his entire career in the industry and has forgotten much more than I may ever learn . When I switched career paths from Healthcare to the Marine Industry , I was very green . Joe would travel with me to see my customers and let me run the show . We would spend a lot of time talking about why I fell on my face or why I was successful . He molded my experience in a way that set me up for success . I quickly learned why he is so revered in the industry and I am grateful to have him as a mentor and friend . 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 full of seasoned vets who are experts in their field . Being new to the industry and knowing very little at first , the challenge I faced was gaining trust and respect from my customers and peers . I found unique ways to add value and solve problems . Showing humility but having a strong work ethic helped me develop relationships and build a strong rapport with my colleagues . Who was your hero as a child ? I always thought Frank Thomas was my hero . I had the cleats , glove , jersey , etc . " The Big Hurt " was my idol , but not my hero . My father worked as hard as any man I know . With nothing , he managed to start a veterinary practice in a new
28 march 2023 www . boatingindustry . com