inventor , more commonly known as Iron Man in the Marvel Universe . Why should young professionals choose a career in the marine industry ? The marine industry is undergoing a major shift in terms of the production , design , sustainability and technology involved in manufacturing a boat . As technology advances , the boating industry has the opportunity to become increasingly streamlined and sustainable . What ’ s more , the transition to electric boating is happening now , and being a part of this movement is really exciting ! The marine industry is full of extremely passionate individuals , whether avid boaters , sustainability leaders , or changemakers in the technology space . By being in the electrified part of that industry , you are also ensuring you are being surrounded by such an innovative and intelligent group of people that impacts your working life for the better , and I can promise you sleep better at nights knowing you are on the right side of history !
Rusty Kucher
Category Director , Pontoon Boats , Brunswick Boat Group
What first drew you to the marine industry ? Initially I was attracted to the marine industry through Brunswick ’ s exciting brands and products . As I ’ ve spent more time in the marine industry , I ’ ve developed a passion for developing boats that will put smiles on people ’ s faces and memories for a lifetime . It ’ s a really exciting industry to be a part of .
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 ( and pontoon market especially ) is very dynamic – change is the only constant . With that said , change is hard and requires consistency and focus . I ’ m a firm believer that a determined team , working together can weather any storm coming their way . How do you hope to inspire others in the marine industry ? I hope to inspire others through servant leadership . In my view , the team and organization always comes first and should be prioritized . When a team feels like you truly care about their wellbeing , nothing can stop them from succeeding . How do you set goals for yourself and set yourself up for success ? Write them down . There is something special about being able to clearly articulate measurable long term and short-term goals for yourself . I write my goals down , place them in a location where I can see them daily and have scheduled quarterly time on my calendar to review progress . I have found that it is important to have a variety of goals that are both personal ( fun goals ) and professional . Who was your hero as a child ? My dad . Our family emigrated from Ukraine when I was 10 months old . We had no family or roots in the US except for a local church that was willing to sponsor us . My dad taught me many things , but the two most critical that shaped me into who I am today were to honor your word and have an unwavering work ethic . Why should young professionals choose a career in the marine industry ? The marine industry is dynamic and exciting ! No day is the same . It ’ s incredibly rewarding to put smiles on the faces of families when they use our products and enjoy the warm days of summer .
Rachael Lobeck
Senior Manager , Public Relations , Boats Group
What was your first job ? My very first job was in high school . I was a sales associate at Blockbuster – back when renting VHS tapes was a thing ! My first job after graduating college was at iHeart Media , working in radio marketing and promotions .
Did you have any key mentors or influences in your career ? Absolutely . My parents have been major influences in my career . My father was a firefighter for Miami Dade Fire Rescue for over 30 years and taught me the value of doing what you love while serving others . My mother is one of the hardest working people I know and has provided the greatest example of how women can succeed in business . My stepfather was a career police officer with a true passion for the community and giving back . I ’ m grateful for their lessons and experiences that helped propel my career . How do you hope to inspire others in the marine industry ? I hope to inspire others through my passion and dedication to public relations and the industry as a whole . And also by showing that your career doesn ’ t have to start in this space to be successful . How do you set goals for yourself and set yourself up for success ? I ’ m a believer in setting manageable goals to achieve a win . Going too big with goals can sometimes distract you from reaching the accomplishments that truly matter . Little wins add up to big ones ! Also , being surrounded by a great team leads to a path of success , especially in PR . So many of my marketing colleagues are willing to have skin in the game , and I wouldn ’ t be able to reach my goals without their support . I also think everyone defines success differently . For me , success revolves around constantly learning something new , so I make that a top priority . Who was your hero as a child ? My father . His passion for boating and the onthe-water lifestyle was something to see .
30 march 2023 www . boatingindustry . com