Why should young professionals choose a career in the marine industry ? The marine industry is constantly evolving , filled with growth opportunities and has such a variety of job positions . There ’ s a common interest in getting more people on the water , creating an unspoken bond between us . Whether you have boating experience or are just starting to dip your toe in the water , it ’ s a welcoming , unique and friendly community full of incredibly passionate people . And it ’ s quite rewarding to be a part of it !
Dillon Majoros
Design Engineer , Cobalt Boats
What first drew you to the marine industry ? The estuaries and marshes of northern New England were my childhood playground . My school notebooks were sketchpads for boat designs . It ’ s always been in my blood . What was your first job ? I was a sailing instructor for the University of New Hampshire ( UNH ) youth sailing team . Did you have any key mentors or influences in your career ? Diana Weidenbacker , my UNH sailing coach , taught me the importance of impeccable technique . Steve Dalzell introduced me to the fundamental concept of the design spiral ( and of the importance of adhering to its principles !), and Michael Peters guided my growth as a young marine professional with wit , wisdom , and honesty . John C . Harris encouraged my exploration of idiosyncratic and delightful small craft design and connected me to a community of boatbuilders I will forever treasure . And the team at Malibu and Cobalt have shown me the value of assembling , supporting , and motivating a group that works as a cohesive , collaborative unit to improve our work with each new product and each new challenge . How do you hope to inspire others in the marine industry ? By continuing to demonstrate that collaboration is fundamental to outstanding design of a product that is the synthesis of art and engineering . By empowering students to explore and learn new skills , both on and off the water . How do you set goals for yourself and set yourself up for success ? By breaking down large project milestones into manageable , and less intimidating , component parts . By dedicating time each week to organize and plan for the next . By shifting resources to support team members who are overburdened and , even if deadlines are imminent and the work feels insurmountable , injecting some fun into our work to keep morale high . Who was your hero as a child ? My parents , without a doubt . They supported my adventures and encouraged me to push my limits , to make mistakes and learn from them . To find beauty , to listen , and to learn . And of the Great Designers : Olin Stephens , Paul Gartside , Nigil Irens and Phil Bolger .
Josh McLean
President , David Walters Yachts
What first drew you to the marine industry ? Following my eight-year service flying in the U . S . Air Force and drawing on my memories sailing the Great Lakes as a kid growing up in Michigan , I was looking for a career path that would enable me to tie together my leadership skills and an aspect of my life that I ' ve always been passionate about boating . At the same time , I wanted a fun and rewarding career with new challenges and people as enthusiastic and driven as I am . What accomplishment are you most proud of ? I will always be proud of my eight years of service in the US Air Force . I completed eight combat tours totaling over two years deployed in those
years . Flying for Air Force Special Operations Command in the U-28A Draco , I was humbled to fly , live and fight alongside the most incredible people I ' ll ever know . There is a bond forged under those conditions that can never be broken and lessons and life experiences that will never fade . I experienced my best and worst days while deployed , but I would never trade either . The importance of our mission and the lives we were entrusted to project will always remain the highlight of my life and my proudest accomplishment . Did you have any key mentors or influences in your career ? I ' ve been fortunate to be guided by the mentorship of two very important people in my life . Both are legends in the yacht sales industry .
David Walters gave me my first shot in the marine industry . I met Dave just three months after leaving the Air Force . As a Veteran himself , Dave recognized my determination and drive . He brought me under his wing and taught me the core of the industry . Sadly , David passed away in 2018 .
Andrew Cilla has always been my sounding board and the first person I call for advice and guidance since taking the helm of David Walters Yachts . He has always offered good sound advice . I owe much of our success to Andrew and am forever grateful for his friendship . As a young professional , what are the biggest challenges you ' ve faced in the marine industry and how did you overcome them ? The biggest challenge I faced early in my career was establishing a network . I came into the marine industry as an outsider ; my background was
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